Japanese dishes have evolved over a period of time and the culture and tradition of the Japanese people has had a tremendous role to play. One of the most delectable cuisines of the world owes its magnificence to the “rule of five”. But, what is this “rule of five”? The traditional Japanese cooking is based upon ‘Washoku’ wherein the balance and the variety of dishes are emphasized upon.
15 Japanese Dishes That You Must Try
The fact that a certain food item is tasty does not make it all that famous. The presentation of a food item is to be equally stressed upon. The Japanese have also mastered that. The food is presented in a manner, which looks aesthetic and is not only a pleasure for the tongue but also for the eyes. Here are 15 Japanese dishes you must try:
1. Sushi
If you’ve not heard of Sushi in your lifetime, then you might’ve been living on Mars your whole life. It is certainly one of the most famous foods that find its origin from Japan. It is the most famous of the traditional dishes and is consumed all over the world for its delectable taste and aesthetic presentation. It is an ancient dish and it has originated from the process of preservation of fish in fermented rice. But, now the process has slightly changed. Nowadays, it is served with Vingerated rice and fresh fish. It is served in a number of ways and shapes.
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2. Sashimi
This is another traditional cuisine but finds its origin way before the introduction of the Sushi. Before the people came with the technique of preservation of fish, they were consuming raw fish without the rice. But this food item is not just limited to the fish. The literal meaning of word ‘Sashimi’ means any food, which is cut in thinly, sliced fashion. So, you will find delicacies such as raw-beef, chicken and even horsemeat. But, it should be mentioned that fish and other kinds of seafood are the ones which enjoy the most popularity due to is ancient roots.
3. Tempura
The Japanese crave for perfection. And the quality has found its way into their food too. It is a dish made with battered and fried fish or seafood and also with vegetables. But the special flavor of the food is gotten through the impeccable style of cooking they adhere to. The take special care in ensuring that the batter is icy-cold and the frying pan is very hot. What does this result in? Crisp-fried food to perfection. You can have a dipping sauce or flavored salt to enjoy this dish.
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4. Yakitori
Avoiding waste is an important part of the Japanese culture and tradition. Yakitori is the dish, which pays homage to this tradition. It uses every part of the chicken flesh, the liver, heart and even the comb and is grilled on a skewer. Unlike other Japanese food, it is not that old, since eating meat was proscribed until the 17th Century.
5. Miso Soup
Soup is the part of any traditional meal of Japan. But, Miso soup tops the list with its cooking which is simple and the flavor which is a delight for the taste buds. The ingredient is ‘dashi’ which is either fish or kelp. There is tofu and sliced green onion and several seasonal vegetables and meats are added to deliver the traditional flavor.
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6. Tsukemono Pickles
Don’t get fooled by the word ‘pickle’ in the name. This pickle has been consumed in the Japanese region since time immemorial. It is made with a variety of the things such as daikon radish and eggplant. Remember what we said earlier about visual appeal? This is what adds the aesthetic looks to your food. And it that’s not enough, it is a salubrious food item to add to your meal.
7. Udon
The Japanese are also great with making versatile food. And Udon is a great example. It is a noodle made from wheat flour. The food enjoys mass popularity among the people of Japan. This is because of its delicious taste and the price of this food is considerably low. But, the USP lies in its versatility; it can be eaten hot or cold, with or without toppings.
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8. Soba
Another one of the dishes, which has been eaten in the Japanese tradition for centuries, is Soba. The dish is made with buckwheat flour and is very healthy. It is another of the versatile foods that is served among the Japanese. Like the Udon, it can be served with hot broth or can be served chilled with a dipping sauce.
9. Sukiyaki
This dish started to gather immense popularity in Japan after the ban on meat was lifted. The dish is cooked in one pot beef, vegetables and tofu, which are further cooked in a shallow cast iron pot. If you wish to enjoy the rich and incredible flavor of the Japanese wagyu beef, be sure to try the flavor on this.
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10. Kaiseki
Another one of the dishes that places precision and detail at the front and makes a presentation, which is a delight for the eyes and the tongue. But the catch here is that Kaiseki is not just one dish but also a series of servings, which comprises small seasonally themed dishes. The origin of the Kaiseki is also rooted to other traditional ceremonies of the Japanese tradition. The small servings were served with the tea during the tea ceremony, which is a big deal in the Japanese tradition. But then the cuisine started gaining popularity and is now a full-fledged meal.
11. Ramen
Ramen is another one of the popular dishes, which is famous all over the world. The dish is comprised of wheat noodles, which is served with soy sauce or miso soup. The dish also has a number of ingredients in it such as slices of pork, seaweed, green onion and egg. If you haven’t tried it before, this will come as a surprise to you, as the dish has a flavor, which cannot be compared to anything. The pork is cooked with such tenderness that it breaks as soon as you touch it with your chopsticks. It is generally very filling and makes for a great value for money.
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12. Kare Raisu
When you combine simplicity with delectable taste, what you get is Kare Raisu. The most literal translation would be “curry Rice”. The dish uses a variety of vegetables and meats. The basic vegetables used are onions, carrots, and green onion with meats such as chicken, pork, beef and sometimes duck.
13. Okonomiyaki
There are various dishes in the Japanese tradition, which allows customizations to be done. The basic composition is of flour, yam and egg. But, you can customize it and add things such as onion, beef, shrimp, and many other ingredients. The dish is also a visual delight as in some restaurants in Japan ; the chef will walk up to your table and make this dish in front of your eyes.
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14. Shabu Shabu
Everyone enjoys a good hot pot. Well, Japan has a hot pot of its own. Many kinds of food items are used in order to make this dish possible such as vegetables, tofu and sometimes noodles. It has a process and way of eating involved to it. You have to take a piece of meat and immerse it in the hot pot, once it is cooked you can have the meat with some rice or just dip it some good old sauce. This makes for a great sumptuous meal and is a great meal when consumed with the family.
15. Onigiri
The list of food items cannot be completed without mentioning the most popular snack of Japan. The rice balls are seasoned in different kinds of ways and are filled with chicken, pork and different kinds of flavors. The snack is hugely popular in Japan as it is quite portable and you can eat it on the go. The snack is also very cheap and can easily be bought at most convenience stores in Japan.
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Japanese dishes are achieved through the use of five colors, black, white, red, yellow, and green which is collated with five cooking techniques, raw food, grilling, steaming, boiling, and frying, further collated with five flavors, sweet, spicy, salty, sour, and bitter. Take a trip to Japan and taste the culinary delights mentioned above now.
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