Facts about Japanese Food
The Japanese food is one of the top rated foods in the world. The fact that Michelin Guide has presented maximum number of Michelin stars to Japanese restaurants is the proof for it. The Japanese cuisine has evolved over centuries and has been influenced by several political as well as social changes. Due to the unique style of cooking and seasoning, it is one of the most distinct cuisines in the world.
Interesting Japanese Food Facts
The typically Japanese cuisine comprises rice, meat, vegetables and fish. The Japanese emphasize more on the quality of the food and presentation. Therefore, it is no wonder that the Japanese complain of low quality food, when eating Japanese cuisines out of Japan. Let us now take a look at some interesting facts.
- Large amount of raw food is used in the Japanese cuisine. In fact, you must be aware that the fish served with sushi is raw.
- Dried sardines and almonds are often consumed as snacks in most of the parts of Japan.
- As mentioned above, about 50% of the fish catch, and 80% of the tuna catch is undertaken by the Japanese.
- The quality of 'sashimi', or the very thinly sliced raw fish which is served with sushi, is never ever compromised in an authentic Japanese restaurant. In some cases, the fish is kept alive in water, and sliced and served only on ordering!
- Talking about sashimi, a sushi chef needs to be extremely careful when slicing the raw fish. In fact, a professional chef's knife is sharpened every day to have those thinly sliced fish, suitable for the exotic sushi.
- Rice forms the integral part of the Japanese cuisine and we have different forms of rice dishes like the Kayu rice, Donburi, fried rice, Kare raisu, etc., that are popular all over the world.
- The typical Japanese meal consists of rice, served with meat, fish or vegetables. Pickles and soup also forms a part of the traditional Japanese meal.
- Now, another amusing fact about Japanese food and drink is that it is considered good manners to slurp noodles in soup like Ramen. However, one is not expected to slurp only the soup, like the miso.
- Talking of miso soup, the soup is very good for digestion and hence, should be eaten at the beginning of the meal; and not at the end.
- There are very few or literally negligible vegetarians or non-meat eaters in Japan. This may be because of their deep passion for sea food or the fact that most of the Japanese dishes consist of sea food, meat and pork!
- Raw horse meat, octopus meat and whale meat are some of the most popular types of meat in Japan.
- In most of the Japanese restaurants, moist towels are presented before food. This is to wipe hands beforehand. However, one should remember that the towels are to be used only to clean hands and not the face or any other part of the body.
- Just like Chinese cuisine, chopsticks are used to eat several Japanese dishes. However, one should remember to follow the chopsticks etiquette when using them in formal events. It is rude to insert the chopsticks straight vertically into the food.
- A large number of American and other food chains are found in Japan. However, the menu is dominated by traditional choices. For e.g., as corn and seafood are the common ingredients found in the Japanese pizza, this localized variety is found in pizzas made by 'Italian restaurants'.
- Lastly, the Japanese believe that one not only eats with the mouth but also through the eyes, and hence, the appearance and presentation of the food should also be given the utmost priority.
