10 Must-Try Traditional Japanese Dishes
Japan is famous for many things, including cutting-edge technology and rich culture. However, many people are more interested in Japanese cuisine and many local delicacies. There are hundreds of dishes available in Japan, but a few stand out for their popularity and nutritional value. If you ever get the chance to visit Japan, here at the top traditional Japanese dishes to try out.
Sushi
Sushi is probably the most popular Japanese meal. The dish is available in a myriad of ways and prices. The word sushi comes from kaizen sushi, which basically means the conveyor belt. This type of sushi is cheap and goes for about $1 per plate. Other types of sushi, such as Edomae sushi, can be sold at over $100 per plate.
Most restaurants prepare sushi on the serving table. Generally, sushi consists of rice and fish. It is eaten with wasabi and soy sauce, although some people are not fond of wasabi. You can use chopsticks or your hand to eat sushi. Just dip the sushi in the soy sauce, turn it over, and apply some spice.
Sashimi
This is another famous Japanese delicacy. It resembles sushi, but it doesn’t have rice. The fish is cut into tiny pieces and served with a variety of other fishes. Sashimi is extremely popular in Kyoto and Tokyo. The restaurants in Kyoto prefer serving the sashimi with sea urchins or Salmon. You can also include some wasabi or ginger.
Unagi
Unagi refers to a type of fish popular in many Japanese rivers. It is considered a high-class type of meal because of its unique delicacy. In fact, many restaurants in Japan sell only unagi dishes. Unagi is prepared using a form called Kabayaki. This method is famous because the meal is prepared with sugar, soy sauce, and mirin. Some restaurants also sprinkle some rice on top.
Hitsumabushi
Hitsumabushi is a type of meal native to Nagoya. The meal is a traditional Japanese dish that includes white rice, green onions, and wasabi. Some people even pour green tea on top of it to make it more delicious. You can try Hitsumabushi in the summer to prevent tiredness and improve digestion. Hitsumabushi is one of the things that contribute to lower back pain relief. It joins the growing trend of massage guns.
Yakitori
When chicken is grilled and cut into bite-sized pieces, it becomes yakitori. The uniqueness of this meal is that all parts of the chicken are not spared or discarded. The chicken comb, the liver, and even the heart are used to prepare this dish. Although yakitori is a traditional Japanese meal, it has only been around since the 18th century.
Kaiseki
Kaiseki brings out the best in traditional Japanese fine dining. That is because it consists of small dishes brought together with extreme care. The meal can be traced to the time when tea ceremonies were popular. The attendees could be served small dishes as they drank the green tea. The small dishes became popular and eventually mutated into a popular meal.
Udon
Udon is a popular meal whose ingredients include wheat flour and chewy noodles. It has been present in Japan for hundreds of years. The presence of wheat flour and the firm texture contributes to Udon’s versatility. Moreover, the meal is affordable, delicious, and can accommodate any topping. Currently, there are three types of Udon, including Sanuki and Kishimen.
Soba
This is a type of fish that resembles the noodles dish. It is primarily made from buckwheat flour and hot sauce. The Japanese like it because it’s delicious, healthy, and can be consumed at any time of the year.
Sukiyaki
Many famous Japanese dishes don’t have beef, but the sukiyaki comes with many pieces of meat. Traditionally, the sukiyaki consists of tofu, vegetables, beef, and soy sauce. These ingredients are mixed in a hot pot. The meal became popular during the Meiji restoration when the government lifted the ban on meat consumption. Today, a typical sukiyaki dish is littered with tender beef and rich sauce.
Sashimi
This is a famous Japanese soup that looks simple but is extremely thirsty. You can make it from fish and beans. It’s also commonly served with green onions, pork, or clams.
Conclusion
Japan’s long isolation from the rest of the world ensured that it developed its unique cuisine. As a result, it came up with the rules of variety, balancing, and delicate cooking. These principles are present in all dishes, and they contribute to the beauty and nutritional value of all the meals we have listed above.