Japanese Foods

Japanese foods are more than just the teriyaki places that dot mini-malls across America. Japan has a rich culinary scene that has been influenced by China, contact with Europeans, and its own unique physical landscape. Not surprisingly many of the country’s dishes are based around seafood with less of an emphasis on livestock.

Of all of the Japanese foods, sushi is perhaps the most popular. Usually raw fish sliced very thinly and then delicately set on top of a small pile of sticky rice, the food has taken the world by storm. Variants like sashimi forgo the rice and serve the seafood simply with soy sauce, another popular food from Japan made from fermented soy sauce.

Most Japanese foods are accompanied with a hot steaming bowl of rice. A staple for centuries it is served with almost every meal. This dish, in addition to green tea, is comfort food for the Japanese and is an emblem of their food culture.

Another very common food is ramen. Usually served in the broth made from dried kelp and salted fish called dashi, ramen and other varieties of noodles such as soba, udon, and somen are a daily meal for the Japanese. Other products such as fish cakes called kamaboko, fermented soybeans called natto, and vegetables are added to the soup for extra flavor and nurtrients.

Similar foods to the United States like grilled chicken skewers called yakitori and the very expensive Kobe beef steaks are gaining popularity here and will soon probably become a local meal for Americans as much as they are now for the Japanese.

Related Information

Types of Japanese Food
The types of Japanese food range from basic to luxurious and expensive.

Japanese Food in America
You can find Japanese food in America right in your local area.