The answer to the question “What do you eat when you catch a cold?” is probably different depending on where you live in the world. For me, nursing a cold conjures up images of sitting in bed wrapped in blankets and sipping chicken noodle soup.
But we were curious to know which foods and other remedies are commonly consumed in Japan when someone gets sick, so we asked 11 of our colleagues over at the Japanese edition of RocketNews24 and our sister site Pouch to share what they eat when the sniffles start creeping up on them. Think you can guess how they answered? Some of their responses might surprise you!


China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
Foreign driver’s license conversion test passes plummet from over 90% to 33% in Japan
What makes something “kawaii” to women from Japan, China, and South Korea? Survey investigates
A whole slew of Totoro Christmas cakes are on their way to make the season extra merry【Photos】
We eat 13 of the most highly recommended sushi items at Sushiro and pick the best of the best
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
New anime mecha figure’s pilot is…you!?!【Photos】
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
We eat 13 of the most highly recommended sushi items at Sushiro and pick the best of the best
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
New anime mecha figure’s pilot is…you!?!【Photos】
Japan’s 10 best singing voices as chosen by people in the industry
42 thoughts that crossed our mind when visiting the forest that inspired Princess Mononoke
Hunter x Hunter teams up with accessory brand Samantha Vega for colorful character collections
Japanese convenience store chain has beer and sake dispensers that few people know about
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Retro noodle soup vending machine is immortalized in an udon soup-flavored pound cake
Our Japanese reporter bids a fond farewell to Tokyo’s last Claire’s boutique
Learn Japanese through ridiculous manga: Two Piece 【Episode #1】