Traditional Food in Japan is based on fresh, local ingredients, with minimal processing, highlighting instead the natural flavors of the food. Fish, rice, noodles, and vegetables are some staples that make up the basis of most Japanese diets. Some popular traditional dishes include sushi, ramen, tempura, soba, tonkatsu and okonomiyaki.
Japanese cuisine emphasizes variety and balance. This is achieved through the use of five colors (black, white, red, yellow, and green), five cooking techniques (raw food, grilling, steaming, boiling, and frying), and five flavors (sweet, spicy, salty, sour, and bitter). These principles can be found even in a single meal of one soup and three sides paired with rice.
Sushi is one of the most famous foods to come from Japan. It originated from the process of preserving fish in fermented rice. Today it’s made with vinegared rice and fresh fish. Tempura is a dish of battered and fried fish or vegetables. Special care is given to the way the ingredients are cut as well as to the temperature of the batter (ice cold) and oil (very hot) for deep-frying.
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Japan
Kashiwa Mochi (柏餅)
You're probably thinking why are there so many types of mochi in Japan. Well, you're not alone. As a matter of fact, there might be more than what we know. Also, there seems to be a kind of mochi for every occasion. For example, locals m... -
Japan
Kaiseki ryori (懐石料理)
"Kaiseki cuisine" has a strong image of being a luxurious meal served at a restaurant. In this article, we will trace kaiseki ryori back to its origins and introduce the reasons behind its form. We will also introduce some delicious rest... -
Nagasaki
Chawanmushi (茶碗蒸し)
One of the Japan dishes, chawanmushi, is an egg mixed with eggs and broth, steamed with ingredients such as shiitake mushrooms, lily root, and gingko in a bowl, and is treated as a steamed dish or soup.It is said that the roots of chawan... -
Fukuoka
Mentaiko / Tarako (明太子 / たらこ)
【What is Mentaiko?】 Tarako and mentaiko are traditional Japanese seafood ingredients, consisting of pollock roe from the Alaskan pollock, of the cod family. The Alaskan pollock is not a pollock in itself, but a cod; thus, tarako and me... -
Kouchi
Nabeyaki Ramen (鍋焼きラーメン)
【What is Nabeyaki Ramen?】 Nabeyaki Ramen is a local ramen of Sasuki City in Kochi Prefecture. It is a ramen dish made with chicken soup that is stewed in a traditional earthenware pot. Everyone can taste this specialty ramen in ramen s... -
Nagano
Kusa mochi (草餅)
【What is Kusa mochi?】 Kusa mochi (草餅) is one of the Japanese sweets also known as "kusamochi or yomogi mochi (蓬餅)." Locals made it using mochi and yomogi (known as Japanese mugwort) leaves. In fact, this Kusa Mochi is the Yomogi ... -
Nara
Kakinoha Zushi ( 柿の葉寿司 )
【What is Kakinoha Zushi?】 Kakinoha Zushi means "Persimmon Leaf Sushi" is a local traditional cuisine of Nara prefecture but is mostly found in all Kansai territories. Unlike ordinary sushi, Kakinoha Zushi is pressed sushi wrapped in pe... -
Yamaguchi
Kawara soba (瓦そば)
【What is Kawara soba?】 Kawara Soba (瓦そば) is a traditional Japanese dish of Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Locals make this by placing the cha soba and ingredients on a heated tile and eating it in warm noodle soup. Kawara... -
Mie
Matsusaka Beef (松阪牛)
Japanese Wagyu beef is one of the most prized proteins in the culinary world and is deemed as luxurious as caviar and black truffles. The stunning marbling of fat, tantalizing texture, and umami-rich wagyu is what all steak lovers dream ... -
Shizuoka
Kinako Mochi (きな粉餅)
What if I told you that there is a Japanese dessert that can make you live longer and happier? It is called kinako mochi, and it consists of chewy rice cakes dusted with roasted soybean powder. Kinako mochi has a nutty and slightly sweet...