My Complicated Love Story with Japanese School Lunch (Kyūshoku)

My Complicated Love Story with Japanese School Lunch (Kyūshoku)

Let’s be honest—when I first came to Japan and heard about kyūshoku (給食), aka Japanese school lunch, I was not about that life. I mean, imagine your taste buds doing a full 180. For someone who grew up with a completely different cuisine, I was skeptical, to say the least. Add in the fact that I have a lot of allergies? I wasn’t taking any chances. So when I got the form asking if I’d be joining the school lunch program, my answer was a big, fat nope.

Luckily, my friend said yes. So she became my unofficial food scout—reporting back with reviews that were... well, mixed. Some dishes slapped. Others? Not so much. But overall, her experience wasn’t terrible. That gave me a bit of hope, and I found myself digging into some research.

Turns out, Japanese school lunch isn’t just food—it’s a whole vibe. 🍚

It’s called kyūshoku, and it’s super structured, nutritious, and yes, very Japanese. Meals usually include rice or bread, a main dish, a couple of sides, soup, and milk. Sometimes there's even dessert (which usually has beans—still getting used to that part 😅).

But the best part? It’s part of the curriculum! Yup, students are actually taught about food through something called shokuiku (food education). They set up the lunch stations, serve each other, eat together, and clean up—teamwork makes the dream work!

Now, fast forward a few months...

There I was, struggling every morning to prep my lunch, getting tired of my own uninspired food choices, and missing out on some real bonding moments during school meals. So I caved. I joined the kyūshoku crew.

First day? Disaster. They served natto. For those who don’t know, natto is this strong-smelling fermented soybean dish that’s very... um... acquired. Let’s just say my stomach wasn’t too thrilled. The soup tasted unfamiliar, and I was still mentally side-eyeing every grain of rice.

But I’m no quitter. I kept showing up. Kept eating. And something magical happened—my taste buds adapted. Suddenly, I was actually looking forward to lunch! The soups grew on me. The rice? Never boring. From turmeric rice to fried rice to rice with chestnuts—it’s a daily surprise! 🍛

One of my faves? Cold udon noodles. The broth is packed with flavor and feels like a hug on a hot day. And don’t even get me started on the fish-based meals—they’ve done wonders for my skin and energy levels. I genuinely feel healthier. The food is light, clean, and made with fresh, local, seasonal ingredients. Can’t complain.

Sure, I’m still dodging those bean-based desserts like a pro, but hey—progress, not perfection!

What I’ve grown to absolutely love is the cultural ritual around school lunch. Before we eat, we all say “Itadakimasu” (いただきます), meaning “I humbly receive this food.” There’s a sense of gratitude and mindfulness that I deeply respect. Students clean their hands with an oshibori (warm towel), practice good table manners, and make sure nothing goes to waste. Teachers eat with students too, making it feel warm, communal, and connected.

Now, my mornings are smoother—I just focus on getting ready for the day instead of stressing over lunch. I feel like I’m more present and a lot more grateful for the little things. Food really can teach us a lot.

So, if you ever find yourself hesitant about kyūshoku, just remember—it might start as a hate-love rollercoaster... but the ride’s worth it.

Japanese Quote of the Day

「食は人を作る」– “Shoku wa hito o tsukuru”

(Food shapes the person.)