What can you find at a convenience store in Japan? Tempura, onigiri, and fermented soybeans are just a few examples of Japanese food. During winter months, oden can be found near the cash register. Family Mart, Seven Eleven, and Lawson are all common Japanese convenience stores. If you’re interested in a taste of Japanese cuisine, you’ll want to stop at a Seven Eleven.
Tempura is a type of fried food
Tempura is a thin, savory batter that is used to fry almost any ingredient. The result is a crispy, golden crust. Japanese chefs will demonstrate how to make the batter. Although traditionally fried in sesame oil, ‘tempura’ is often prepared in vegetable oil. This type of oil has a higher smoke point than sesame oil and is lighter in color.
Tempura was not originally Japanese and was brought to the country by Portuguese missionaries about 400 years ago. It is thought that the frying process originated in Europe and was originally prepared as a special type of dish for the Lenten season, when people abstain from meat. The Portuguese missionaries brought the dish to Japan through Nagasaki, a town that had been closed to foreign traders at the time.
Onigiri is a type of fermented soybean
Onigiri is a Japanese dish made of rice balls stuffed with vegetables, fish, or meat. The word “onigiri” translates to a “mixture.” Onigiri can be made of any combination of vegetables, fish, or meat. Some popular fillings include marinated beef rib, avocado, or mixed vegetables. It is also possible to make a vegan onigiri using mixed vegetables.
The traditional Japanese onigiri filling includes small shrimp. This spicy, sweet, and salty mix is reminiscent of Teriyaki. Similarly, vegetarian and vegan onigiri fillings include a variety of colorful vegetables. Natto, a type of fermented soybean, is also an excellent choice, but you may need to acquire a taste for it.
Sushi is the most popular Japanese food
A variety of dishes are available for sushi lovers. These traditional rolls are made with medium-grain rice, but some are made with brown or short-grain rice. Many sushi are made with seafood, like shrimp, scallops, and crab. Some are even vegetarian. Sushi is served with soy sauce and a side dish of pickled ginger. You can even eat it with rice in a bento box.
Toppings are not always necessary, but some are. Some sushi restaurants offer a ‘fixed-price’ set, while others only serve a chef-selected catch of the day. Most sushi restaurants serve green tea alongside their meals, and the better ones will serve their customers a premium tea called agari. Other toppings include gobo, sliced vegetables, and seaweed salad.
Unagi season is when eels are grilled, steamed and seasoned
While unagi is available throughout the year, its popularity peaks in the summer months. In fact, the Japanese traditionally eat unagi to boost their stamina and beat the summer heat on the doyo-no ushi-no-hi (midsummer day of the ox) holiday. In recent years, the price of eel has skyrocketed, so you may think you’re living a life of luxury if you eat it on the ox midsummer day.
Eels can be eaten raw, but the Japanese are known to prefer grilled unagi. Although the blood of unagi contains neurotoxins, eating it cooked in a variety of ways poses no health risks. In addition to its delicate and meaty texture, unagi has low fat and low cholesterol, which makes it a healthy option. Eating unagi is also great for your waistline, since it’s low in calories.