If you’re going to travel to Japan, you might want to look into the cost of food. While meat and fish are incredibly cheap, vegetables and dairy products are very expensive. The price of cheese is prohibitive and doesn’t have a place in Japanese cooking. Even the smallest package of cubes in the grocery store is expensive. Even yogurt seems to be hard to find. But don’t let that deter you. Here are some tips to help you save money on food in Japan.
Inago
If you are looking for a different type of Japanese snack, try inago grasshopper. This tasty insect grows up to three centimeters long and is cooked in soy sauce. Its flavor blends with the soy sauce and is pleasantly crunchy. Its taste is similar to that of small shrimp, but much more exotic and delicious. Try inago to impress the native Japanese! This delicious food is also available in many department stores in Japan.
Chawanmushi
If you’re ever in Japan, you’ve likely heard of chawanmushi, an egg custard dish. These dishes are traditionally served as a part of the meal and include many savory ingredients. Here’s a look at what makes chawanmushi so special. In Japan, chawanmushi is traditionally served with savory ingredients like soba noodles and shaved ice.
Tempura
Tempura in Japan uses a unique batter that is made with eggs and flour mixed with ice water. Unlike other frying techniques, it uses less oil. The batter is very thin and is made to be dipped into when cooking. The ingredients are dipped in the batter and should be left in small batches, so that they fry quickly. Depending on the ingredients, additional spices or starch may be added to the batter as well.
Tamagoyaki
There are several ways to make tamagoyaki, but the traditional Japanese way has remained largely the same. The basic ingredients are eggs, batter, and water. The eggs are homogenized and mixed using egg beaters or a whisk. Air is added to the egg mixture before being cooked in the pan, so the egg turns into steam. After cooking, the tamagoyaki is ready to eat.
Tempura with mentaiko
The combination of spicy mentaiko and plain cod roe is a unique Japanese cuisine. Unlike its American cousin, mentaiko is marinated in different flavors. Most popularly known as karashi mentaiko, this fish roe is made from red chili peppers. The combination of spicy mentaiko and plain cod roe is both addictive and satisfying.
Tempura with chiles toreados
In Mexico, a dish that is similar to tempura with chiles toreados is called taqueria chiles. This type of fried dish is made with jalapeno or serrano chiles that are sauteed in hot oil until they become blistered. Some people like to add onions to their taqueria chiles, while others enjoy the spiciness alone. It’s all a matter of taste.