Japanese Cuisine
With Michelin star restaurants, unbeatably fresh and locally sourced ingredients and an emphasis on seasonality of food, Japan is now widely considered the new food capital of the world.
Eating is half the fun when travelling to Japan but many people are apprehensive about a trip simply because they are concerned that they will find nothing to eat but raw fish.
Of course, Japan is renowned for its fantastically fresh and delicate sushi and sashimi but adventurous eaters will be delighted to hear that Japanese food offers a wealth of dishes to satisfy any palate.
What has influenced Japanese cuisine?
Known for its emphasis on seasonality of food, quality of ingredients and presentation, Japanese food has evolved over time having been shaped not only by its neighbours but also by socio-political changes within Japan. The arrival of Buddhism in the 6th century brought with it a vegetarian philosophy, Korean influence brought rice, whilst it was the Chinese that brought the soy bean, tea and even the humble chopstick.
These influences have been refined and adapted by the Japanese who have now made them their own and the country is now widely regarded as the new food capital of the world, a claim recently backed by the new Michelin guide which awarded Tokyo’s restaurants a total of 191 stars.
Japanese Cuisine
Everyday food in Japan is fresh and healthy and meal times are often sociable and boisterous affairs. Whilst its most famous product remains sushi you can also readily expect to dine on exquisite beef and pork, steaming hot bowls of noodles, delicious chargrilled meats and of course light and crispy tempura.
Nihon ryori (Japanese cuisine) is also characterised by a vast array of regional specialities and this forms part of the fun of travelling in Japan. There are simply too many to list here but as a taster central Honshu has delicious sushi and sashimi fresh from Tsukiji Market, Kansai has okonomiyaki, a sort of savoury pancake, and Kyushu, kakuni which consists of pork belly, stewed in a sweetened soy-based broth until it veritably melts in your mouth.
Transcending these regional specialities are a number of staple foods which can be found throughout Japan. There are far too many on offer to detail here, indeed you could spend a month in Japan and sample a different speciality each night, but we challenge you to broaden your culinary horizons and you may just find that your trip to Japan becomes unforgettable for a few tasty reasons.