Japanese Culture and Food

 

When you are about to enjoy a meal, it’s safe to assume that you are focusing on the flavors of your dish and just how delicious it is rather than its origins. But knowing the history of where some of your favorite meals come from makes eating it even more enjoyable and allows you to appreciate the love and passion that went into creating your food. 

 

Take Japanese cuisine, for example.

 

When it comes to creating dishes and preparing food, the Japanese people are among the most enthusiastic chefs, as their preparation and meticulous presentation are truly unmatched in the culinary world. The Japanese treat food as an art form and even seemingly simple dishes are often prepared by experienced chefs who have several years of training.

 

A typical Japanese meal consists of Gohan (a bowl of rice), miso shiru (a bowl of soup), tsukemono (pickled vegetables), and fish or meat. Udon, soba, and ramen noodles are also popular for light meals. Sticky, short-grained rice is the staple food in Japan. Harvesting rice is labor-intensive, and the Japanese are reminded of this from a very young age. That’s why rice is rarely wasted, and leftover rice is always reused. Miso soup is a cloudy broth that includes small pieces of tofu and seaweed - sipping right from the bowl is highly encouraged! 

 

When it comes to fish, the Japanese take great pride in their variety of seafood and how they prepare it. From squid to octopus, eel, and shellfish, seafood is eaten in just about every imaginable form; raw sushi and sashimi, grilled sweetfish, and clams tend to be the most popular (and delicious) offerings you can find at a Japanese restaurant. 

 

The next time you enjoy a Japanese meal at your favorite restaurant, you know more about what your food is and the careful, loving way it is prepared. And we know just where you can enjoy such a meal while knowing its history - Chiba! Chiba offers delicious dining, takeout, and delivery. So stop in, order online at https://www.chibachicago.com/, or call us at (630) 850-7848 today!

 

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Sources

https://www.japan-zone.com/culture/food.shtml

https://www.cooking-sun.com/japanese-food-culture/

https://www.insidejapantours.com/japanese-culture/food/