Japanese Restaurants Guides & Resources

What cuisine do Japanese restaurants have?

Japanese cuisine is considered one of the healthiest globally and is praised for its diversity, variety, and most importantly, taste. It offers everything, from sushi to noodle soup, passing through all types of vinegared rice served with barbeque chicken or tempura soba (the Japanese word for buckwheat). The Japanese cooking style is considered both an art and a discipline, and for each of the numerous recipes, there are several food culture rules for Japanese cooking. All dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients, carefully selected according to traditional Japanese food recipes for a more delicate taste. Fish is a staple food in Japan. It is either fried, grilled or baked after marinating it in soy sauce. Japanese foods like soba noodles, rice balls, and nigiri sushi are readily available in most traditional Japanese restaurants. Other commonly used ingredients include seaweed, sushi bars, tofu, ginger, Japanese curry, katsu curry, savoury egg custard, grilled fish, and mushrooms. ## What is the most popular dish in Japan? Sushi is probably among the most popular Japanese dishes prepared with steamed rice, seafood, and vegetables. On the other hand, sashimi consists of thin slices of raw fish or roast pork that are served without any accompanying ingredients. The different parts of Japan offer a great variety of recipes; however, a typical meal includes those two dishes that stand as Japanese favourites everywhere across the Japanese food culture. ## What desserts does Japanese cuisine have? Japanese desserts vary depending on the seasons and the Japanese diet throughout the country. One of the most common cakes is mochi, consisting mainly of rice flour and coconut milk; it is often grilled after being filled with sweet red bean paste. Another type of cake is rice cakes, made from glutinous rice and served with anko (red bean dipping sauce) or matcha (green tea). It is often covered with a layer of strawberry, peach, orange or kinako (roasted soy/wheat flour). ## What is ramen? Ramen is a type of noodles served in hot broth, which can be made up of deep-fried pork cutlet, beef or fish seasoned with rice vinegar. It is usually topped with meat and vegetables. There are different types of ramen depending on the region in Japan where it is prepared, but they all share the same sourness, saltiness, and heaviness. Instant ramen is praised for its taste, and nutritional value and most Japanese people eat it for lunch or dinner. ## What is udon? Udon noodles are made up of thick wheat noodles made from buckwheat flour and come in different shapes, such as thick or thin. Every dish served comes with a cup of broth, served cold or soup served hot and may include potato stew, fried vegetables, and meat. Udon is praised throughout Japan, especially in cold regions during the winter months, and many consider it a savoury dish. ## What is on a traditional Japanese food menu? A typical Japanese lunch menu includes curry rice, soup, and several accompanying dishes, which usually change according to the seasons. One of the most common dishes is miso soup, buckwheat noodles prepared with fermented soybeans, wakame seaweed or fried tofu. It is highly nutritious and very light. Tempura, made up of vegetables or seafood dipped in batter before being deep-fried, is also considered a dish that can be found on any Japanese meals or breakfast rotation menu. ## What are some traditional Japanese snacks? Japanese cuisine revolves around pretty heavy meals; however, smaller dishes are eaten between meals. Some examples include dried fruits such as apricots and raisins, small cakes like matcha (green tea), traditional Japanese cookies or wagashi. Some of these snacks are considered luxury items in many restaurants, but they are usually available in any shop across the country. ## What is a bento box? Bento boxes are small, decorated Japanese lunch boxes with different compartments where meals and snacks for a few days can be stored. It is usually made up of five or six little boxes that fit inside one another and close tightly. Bento boxes come in different shapes and sizes depending on the number of compartments; most of them also include a handle to carry them comfortably. Each compartment has its own lid and contains a different type of food. Indeed, it is possible to prepare every meal in bento boxes as they allow for salads, daikon radish, soups, meats, rice, fruits, and raw egg omelettes to be easily carried around without spoiling. ## What foods are typically in a bento box? A bento box usually contains small portions of various dishes, which are either hot or cold. In the case of a warm meal, it is possible to find vegetables simmered in broth, fried prawns and nimono rice porridge. Cold foods may include salads, pickled gherkins and sushi rolls. Cheese and eggs are usually included as well. ## Where can I buy a bento box? Bento boxes can be easily found in supermarkets or convenience stores across Japan. They are usually stocked near the cash registers, as they are a popular choice for customers that want to eat lightly on the go. Different types of decorated boxes can also be found in department stores and specialised shops, each enriched with Japanese culture. ## What kinds of condiments does Japan have? Japan is well known for its wide range of condiments, which vary depending on the region. Soy sauce is one of the most famous condiments in Japan and is usually made up of fermented soybeans mixed with roasted grains. Similarly, miso paste is made up of fermented soybean meal that has been inoculated with strains of koji fungus; it may also include salt, rice, or barley. Mirin is another common condiment that can be easily found in a Japanese restaurant; it is a type of rice wine similar to sake but lighter. ## What is teppanyaki? Teppanyaki is a type of Japanese cuisine traditionally made up of grilled foods. In this style, ingredients are usually cooked on an aluminium hotplate and served on a plate with various other vegetables and sides. Most components are typically dipped in sauce before being served, unlike western cuisine, which enhances their flavour, a common practice among the Japanese people. ## What is teriyaki? Teriyaki is a traditional Japanese sauce that typically contains soy sauce, mirin and sugar. It can have different variations depending on the region, but it is usually made up of these three ingredients. Some people add sake or the juice from pickled vegetables to give the teriyaki more flavour. It can be used both as a marinade for grilled chicken or meat before being grilled or pan-fried, or it can be poured over dishes at the end of cooking to enhance their flavour. ## What is shabu-shabu? Shabu-shabu is another popular Japanese meal. It is made up of thinly sliced beef that is cooked in a hot pot of boiling water or broth and then served with vegetables, rice noodles or udon. The cooking process may be quite quick or last a few hours to allow the beef to cook and become tender slowly. ## What is okonomiyaki? Okonomiyaki is a Japanese pancake usually made out of flour, shredded cabbage, bonito fish flakes, and thinly sliced meat or seafood. Its base form may only contain these three ingredients, although it sometimes also includes various additional ones such as bean sprouts, green onions, and cheese. Okonomiyaki is usually topped with condiments such as thick teriyaki sauce, mayonnaise, sesame sauce and bonito flakes. ## What is natto? Natto is a traditional Japanese dish made up of boiled soybeans fermented with koji fungus; it can also be flavoured with mustard or spices to create different tastes. It has an unusual slimy texture that may not be appealing to everyone. It is usually eaten at breakfast along with Japanese rice, although restaurants serve it as a side dish.