The Heian Period was an important time for Japanese culture, and the country learned how to cultivate rice from its Chinese neighbors. Rice was an inexpensive source of energy and a staple of the local diet. It soon became one of the most common ingredients in Japanese dishes. Japanese also adopted Chinese eating methods, including chopsticks, and began cooking with soybeans. Soy sauce and tofu quickly became staples in Japanese diets. In time, rice and soybeans became the main ingredients in nearly all of the Japanese dishes.
Unagi
It is believed that Japanese people eat eels on the day of the ox. While the eel feasts can take place anytime throughout the year, the eel’s popularity peaks on Midsummer Day of the Ox, the hottest day of the year. According to the lunar calendar, the day is always in late July or early August. Traditionally, the eel is consumed with rice or on its own, but this practice is now limited to Japan’s most famous dishes.
Tempura
Tempura in Japan is a unique dish, but not everyone enjoys it as much as the locals. This dish uses whole food ingredients like carrots, onion, and burdock, and is usually fried until crispy and golden brown. It is also made using different types of seafood, like shiitake mushrooms and sweet potatoes. The most interesting part of this dish is the presentation. Tempura in Japan is not the same as fried fish or vegetable chips, so if you’re curious to try it, here are some tips to help you get started.
Yakiniku
The best yakiniku restaurants in Japan are those that use local seasonal ingredients. The best yakiniku in Japan features seasonal ingredients and is elevated to kaiseki standards. Up until recently, omakase courses were reserved for regular customers. Now, first-time customers are welcome. The sister store of Yoroniku, Namaiki, is a great choice for yakiniku in Akihabara. Its location and food quality make it an instant favorite among yakiniku fans in Akihabara. Another yakiniku restaurant in Tokyo is Yakiniku Shimizu, a popular choice among Tokyo’s yakiniku enthusiasts.
Onigiri
Onigiri in Japan is a type of Japanese rice ball that is often wrapped in nori, a seaweed. It is made of white rice and topped with a variety of toppings, including fish, vegetables, and meat. Onigiri are also known as omusubi or nigirimeshi. In Japan, onigiri is a traditional dish that is loved by both locals and tourists alike.
Tempura version of yakimono
Despite its humble origins, Korean grilled food has become popular in restaurants around the world. It is prepared in many different ways, some of which come from traditional recipes, while others are “Japanized” versions of European favorites. Typically, yakimono is made of grilled or pan-fried vegetables, shellfish, and fish. But it can also include meat, such as yakitori, which is barbecued chicken skewers.
Onigiri is a popular snack in Japan
Onigiri, or Japanese rice balls, are a snack popular throughout the country. These balls are traditionally wrapped in nori seaweed and filled with a variety of ingredients, including salted salmon or pickled ume. Today, you can find onigiri in convenience stores around the world, but you can also make them at home. These tasty rice balls are easy to make and are a popular option for picnic food in Japan.
Onigiri is a low-carb version of yakimono
Onigiri are rice balls filled with various savory ingredients. They can be stuffed with almost any kind of food, but they are generally savory. There are several websites that publish annual surveys of the most popular fillings. Salmon, tuna, and roe tend to be popular fillings. Homemade onigiri are frequently packed into lunch boxes. Gonbei, a Japanese chain, specializes in fresh onigiri.
Somen noodles
Somen is one of the most popular dried noodles in Japan. These white, round noodle sticks are typically eaten as a light meal at Buddhist temples. Somen spread to western and southern Japan and gained popularity among lay people. They are often used in stir fries and even in famous Vietnamese noodle soups. Here’s how to eat somen like a Japanese. (Or, you could order somen as a side dish for a delicious meal!)
Fukagawa meshi
While the food of Fukagawa Prefecture may not be familiar to you, it is likely to be a tasty treat. The region is renowned for its tonkotsu ramen, which is made by simmering pork tripe or beef offal in a rich miso or soy sauce broth. Many of the Fukagawa Mesi restaurants serve this tasty dish alongside rice, carrots, and garlic chives.