Japanese Cuisine

Japanese food has become one of the most popular types of cuisine in the world, with Sushi and Ramen among the most iconic dishes. These are two of the best known, but there are vast variety of other dishes that are equally delicious and deserve to be tried. Below are some of most popular dishes.

Sushi

Contrary to common belief sushi isn’t actually raw fish on rice. The original definition of sushi is cold boiled rice moistened with rice vinegar (su means vinegar and shi is another word for gohan or rice). The main types of sushi served in Japanese restaurants are:-

• Nigirisushi, probably the best-known variety, consists of a piece of delicately sliced fish placed on an oblong finger of lightly vinegary rice. (The best way to enjoy nigirizushi is to eat it at a sushi counter straight after it has been prepared by the sushi chef as this is when the rice is at the perfect temperature.)
• Makisushi (Sushi roll) is made by using a bamboo mat known as a makisu and normally cut into six or eight pieces which constitutes a single roll portion. The two most common sushi rolls in Japan are tuna rolls called tekkamaki (tekka roughly translated means ‘red-hot iron', and aptly named because of the likeness) and kappamaki (kappa is a fabled Japanese creature that seemingly had a fondness for cucumber).
• Chirashizushi – literally means ‘scattered sushi’ and is served in a bowl with sushi rice and covered with various types of toppings called ‘gu’. There is no conventional recipe for chirazushi and the ingredients vary from region to region, but can include crab, avocado, salmon, prawns, omelette and green beans.
• Inarizushi – is a pouch of fried bean curd (tofu) filled with sushi rice. The name originates from the Shinto god ‘Inari’ who is believed to have a fondness for fried tofu.

Ramen

Ramen is a bowl of noodles served in a meat or fish-base broth with a variety of different toppings. Ramen was introduced from China and is now considered one of the most popular dishes in Japan. There are different variants of flavors, the four main ones being:- shoyu (soy), shio (salted), miso (fermented bean paste) and tonkatsu (pig bone).

There are now over 80,000 ramen restaurants throughout Japan and each region has its own particular variation and style of serving this very popular and relatively inexpensive dish.

Yakitori

Yakitori is literally grilled chicken (yaki = grilled, tori = chicken), which is seasoned either in salt or a salty-sweet coating and served on wooden skewers. Yakitori is very popular in the summer with cold beer and can be eaten at specialist restaurants known as ‘Yakitoriya’, Izakaya restaurants (Japanese style gastro pubs) and at many outdoor food stands along the roadside.

Tempura

Tempura is one of the most popular and well-known Japanese dishes outside Japan. The main ingredients are usually king-size prawns served with an assortment of vegetables which are lightly cooked in deep-fried vegetable oil.

Udon

Udon is a popular and relatively inexpensive dish made from thick wheat flour noodle and usually served hot as a noodle soup, either on its own or with fried prawns and vegetables or cold on a bamboo basket with a small bowl of broth to dip it in.

Miso Soup

Miso soup is a traditional Japanese style soup made from miso paste called "Dashi". Various kinds of ingredients are added to the soup according to regional and seasonal recipes and tastes. The most common type of soups are made up of Niboshi (dried baby sardines), Konbu (dried kelp), Katsuboshi (dried smoked bonito slices), Hoshishitake (dried mushrooms). Miso soup is usually served with the main dish and not as a starter. It is normal to drink the soup directly from the bowl and use chopsticks to eat the ingredients.

Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu is a very popular ‘western style’ dish made of a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet sliced into finger-sized slices and usually served with shredded cabbage, rice and Japanese pickles. Tonkatsu comes in two varieties, ‘hire’ひれ (pork fillet) and ‘rosu’ロス (pork chop). Many restaurants serve Tonkatsu as part of a set menu or ‘Teishoku’ which includes rice and a bowl of miso soup.

Kaiseki ryori

Kaiseki cuisine is a traditional Japanese meal famous for the meticulous preparation involved and the beautiful presentation. The menu generally comprises of between 10 and 15 relatively small and delicately presented dishes that taste as delicious as they look.