Japanese keto guide
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389 dishes155 keto as served129 with a photo
Keto friendliness
Requires careful menu selection and explicit modification requests to avoid significant carb traps.
Top ingredients
Sashimi, grilled fish/meat (yakitori without tare, shioyaki), edamame, seaweed salads, shabu-shabu, and certain vegetables are excellent keto options.
Danger zones
Avoid sushi rice, ramen noodles, tempura, gyoza, breaded items, and beware of hidden sugars in teriyaki, ponzu, mirin-based sauces, and certain miso soups.
Best for
Best for experienced keto dieters who prioritize high-protein meals and are adept at navigating hidden sugars and starch-based dishes.
What to drink
Drinks you will see at Japanese restaurants, cafés and stalls, rated the same way as the food.
Order these
- KetoJapanese Green Tea ryokucha / sencha (緑茶) · 0g net carbs as usually served
- KetoBarley Tea mugicha (麦茶) · 0g net carbs as usually served
- KetoRoasted Green Tea hōjicha (ほうじ茶) · 0g net carbs as usually served
- KetoBrown Rice Tea genmaicha (玄米茶) · 0g net carbs as usually served
- KetoJasmine Tea sanpin-cha (さんぴん茶) · 0g net carbs as usually served
- KetoWhisked Matcha usucha (薄茶) · 1g net carbs as usually served
- KetoKelp Tea kobucha (昆布茶) · 1g net carbs as usually served
- Ask firstUnsweetened Soy Milk muchōsei tōnyū (無調整豆乳) · 4g net carbs as usually servedPick 'muchōsei' (無調整). 'Chōsei' (調製) soy milk is sweetened.
- Ask firstJapanese Iced Coffee aisu kōhī (アイスコーヒー) · 8g net carbs as usually servedLeave the syrup. The small creamer cup is fine.
Skip these
- SkipSweetened Canned Coffee kan kōhī (缶コーヒー) · 13g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order canned black coffee ('burakku', ブラック) instead.
- SkipMarble Soda ramune (ラムネ) · 17g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order sparkling water ('tansan-sui') instead.
- SkipRoyal Milk Tea roiyaru miruku tī (ロイヤルミルクティー) · 24g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order hot green tea instead.
- SkipCultured Milk Soda nyūsankin inryō (乳酸菌飲料) · 30g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order barley tea instead.
- SkipSweet Rice Drink amazake (甘酒) · 30g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order hot green tea instead.
- SkipMelon Soda meron sōda (メロンソーダ) · 40g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order sparkling water ('tansan-sui') instead.
9 matching dishes
Savory Dashi Omelette (Keto-Modified)
Savory Japanese-style Dashi Omelette
A fluffy Japanese-style omelette, similar to Tamagoyaki but prepared without any sugar, infused with dashi bro…
3 net3 total0 fibre30 protein30 fat400 kcal
KAsoon
油揚げ焼き
Grilled Thin Fried Tofu (Keto-Modified)
Thin, deep-fried tofu pouches (aburaage) grilled until they are crispy and lightly browned. This simple prepar…
2 net3 total1 fibre20 protein25 fat300 kcal
KAsoon
Keto Okinawa Soba (Pork Belly and Shirataki Noodles)
Okinawa Soba with Pork Belly and Shirataki Noodles
A keto-adapted version of the Okinawan specialty, featuring tender braised pork belly (rafute-style, sugar-fre…
2 net10 total8 fibre35 protein40 fat550 kcal
KAsoon
イカの器焼き
Squid Baked in its Own Shell
A whole squid, often stuffed with its own tentacles or other seafood, baked in its natural shell. It’s typical…
2 net2 total0 fibre30 protein10 fat220 kcal
KAsoon
明太チーズ焼き (ケト変更)
Grilled Spicy Cod Roe with Cheese (Keto-Modified)
A popular izakaya dish featuring spicy seasoned cod roe (mentaiko) grilled until warm and topped with melted c…
3 net3 total0 fibre25 protein28 fat350 kcal
KAsoon
ケト出汁巻き卵 (具材入り)
Keto Dashi Omelette with Seafood/Meat (Sugar-Free)
A thick, rolled Japanese omelette made with eggs and dashi broth, with the addition of keto-friendly ingredien…
3 net4 total1 fibre30 protein28 fat400 kcal
KAsoon
Keto Toro Takuan Nori Maki
Tuna and Pickled Daikon Nori Wrap
Fatty tuna (toro) and thinly sliced, sugar-free pickled daikon (takuan) wrapped in a sheet of nori seaweed, wi…
3 net5 total2 fibre30 protein30 fat400 kcal
KAsoon
烏賊と梅
Squid with Plum Paste (Keto-Modified)
A refreshing and savory appetizer featuring tender slices of raw or lightly blanched squid combined with a tan…
3 net4 total1 fibre30 protein8 fat200 kcal
KAsoon
湯葉蒸し
Steamed Fresh Tofu Skin (Keto-Modified)
Delicate, fresh yuba (tofu skin) gently steamed to highlight its subtle flavor and unique texture. Served as a…
3 net5 total2 fibre25 protein15 fat250 kcal