Why Japanese School Lunches Surprised Me

When I first started working in a Japanese school, one of the things that truly surprised me was how amazing the school lunches are. I’m not just talking about the taste—which is genuinely delicious—but also how balanced, organized, and deeply rooted in their culture the whole lunch system is. It’s something I never experienced growing up, and it made me reflect on my own school days back in my home country.

In Japan, school lunch isn’t just a break to eat—it’s a structured part of the school day. Each school has a nutritionist who plans the meals to ensure they are healthy and balanced. That fact alone blew my mind. The lunch menus are carefully thought out, and students even get to learn about food groups, portions, and the importance of a nutritious diet. It’s all part of their education, which I think is incredibly valuable.

Students take turns serving food to their classmates, and everyone eats together in the classroom. This builds a sense of responsibility, equality, and community. There’s no competition over who brought the coolest lunch or whose snack looks the best—everyone eats the same thing, and everyone is part of the same moment.

One time, we had something called “ABC soup,” and I thought it was the cutest thing ever. Little pasta letters floating in warm broth—simple, wholesome, and fun. It’s small details like that which make Japanese school lunches feel special.

Back in my country, things were very different. At my school specifically, we brought our own lunches. Some students, including me, even went home to eat. When I told my Japanese Teacher of English (JTE) about this, he was completely shocked. “You went home to eat?” he asked, almost in disbelief. In Japan, that’s unheard of—students are not allowed to go home in the afternoon. Lunch is always eaten at school.

What impressed me the most is how healthy the meals are. Every tray has a good balance of rice or bread, vegetables, protein, soup, and milk. There’s no junk food, no soda, and no sugary snacks. Just real, nourishing meals prepared with care. It’s a system that doesn’t just feed students—it teaches them how to eat well.

My personal favorite so far? The creamy soup—I wish I remembered the name! It had a rich, smooth texture and was so comforting, especially on a chilly day. It came with bread, a fresh salad, and a piece of fruit. Honestly, almost every meal has been delicious. There’s always variety, and I never get bored.

Experiencing Japanese school lunch has made me realize how much food culture can differ between countries. More than that, it showed me how thoughtful Japan is when it comes to feeding its students. It’s not just lunch—it’s a life lesson served on a tray.