Food

: Miso: One of the basic seasonings in Japan

Soy bean paste : Like soy sauce, miso is made from soy beans.It is a paste-like condiment mostly in a brown color. It's a thick paste, usually some shade of reddish-brown, made by mixing crushed boiled soybeans with salt and a koji fermenting agent produced from rice, barley, wheat or beans. Traditionally the mix was wrapped in straw and left to ferment for between two months and two years. Protein-rich miso is one of the essential elements of Japanese cuisine. It has been around since at least the 7th century, and the standard fare of rice (barley for the poor), ...

: Sashimi is a method of eating fresh fish beautifully and delicious

I can recall someone told me decades ago with a subtle tone of creepiness ‘I heard Japanese eat fish raw? Then I clarified by saying Yes, but they are neatly cut and arranged on a dish plate – not catch and eat. Now many people know how the raw fishes are eaten in Japanese style it’s a decent seafood preparation called ‘Sashimi’, widely appreciated anywhere in the world. Actually, ‘Sushi’ is a rice dish on which ‘Sashimi’ is placed Since Sashimi is eaten raw, the ingredient has to be exceptionally fresh. You know things in an afterlife can rapidly degrade ...

: Ohagi: The Best Partner Of Green Tea

Rice, Sweets

Japanese traditional sweets are often related and tied to the specific customs or holidays. ‘Ohagi’ is the one for the event called ‘Higan’ which is celebrated upon the spring and autumn equinox. Ohagi is otherwise called ‘Botamochi’ in some regions. Some people say that the one made in spring time is called Botamochi and the one made in autumn shall be called Ohagi, though both are actually identical. It is said that the distinction of the names came from the names of flowers characterise each season. It’s made from sticky rice which is half-way pounded after steamed. Then the rice ...

: Tonkatsu: Crispy texture and source matching is perfect

While more and more Japanese menus are being explored abroad, ‘Tonkatsu’ also has been widely recognised by now. ‘Ton’ stands for pork and ‘Katsu’ is the translation and abbreviation of cutlet. The choice is either fillet or loin The major preparation is like this: a steak of meat is dredged in wheat flour then dipped into beaten eggs followed by pressing into ‘Panko’ bread crumbs to coat all over. Deep-fry until golden brown. Freshly fried Tonkatsu of crispy covering and succulent meat is to die for! It’s typically accompanied with a heap of shredded cabbage and a wedge ...

: Japanese original dried fruits Hoshigaki

Persimmon is a fruit which often stands between people's likes and dislikes. Large persimmon trees when most of the leaves have fallen in autumn depict a typical country scene and give us a feel of nostalgia. Kaki This fruit, Kaki in the Japanese language, becomes very distinct if you eat fresh or dried Dried Kaki are not the ones remained and dehydrated up on the trees, of course; they have to be carefully processed especially preventing from getting mould. You will call this dried fruit ‘Hoshi-gaki' in Japanese which literally means ‘dried-persimmon.' You could see farm houses hang the ...

: Miso soup: The source of Japanese vitality

fermented food, Miso, Vegetarian

'Misoshiru' or miso soup has been quite known and familiar by now among Japanese food lovers. The traditional Japanese soup consists of ‘Dashi' broth and Miso paste into which vegetables and/or non-vegetarian ingredients are added as you prefer. Dashi The broth used for Misoshiru is what used for any basic Japanese cuisine; made out of Katsuobushi bonito flakes, Kombu dried seaweed and/or Niboshi dried infant sardines. You have a choice of Miso pastes to use Miso is what makes difference in the flavour, taste and colour of the soup. You would like to pick the best Miso to ...

: Sunma is Very popular fish in Japan

Is the ‘Sanma’ you know the supreme Japanese comedian or the seasonal fish known for its superb taste? End of summer you will start seeing some containers of fresh and fatty Sanma back in the market. Sanma, or Pacific saury, those of overall length of approximately 30 to 35 cm, is a symbol of the approaching autumn. The Sanma Although the price can be changeable according to the supply year by year, they are usually inexpensive. The fresh one is the best when it is prepared simply; sprinkle some salt and grill it. Good squeeze of a fresh citron and ...

: The way to longevity: The eating habits recommended in Japan

As Japanese national is always ranked in the top of the longevity list in the world, there are a number of teachings and trends recommended regarding the eating habit. They are actually quite variable; what once largely supported could be obsolete after a few years. There is one teaching commonly shared; ‘Eat 30 Ingredients a Day' The policy is telling you to take 30 different items per day. If you strive to achieve the target, your eating habit will be gradually changed before you know it. You will pick a salad instead of French fries to pair with your hamburger. ...

: Wagashi: An important means to express the seasonal feeling

Do you have anything comes into your mind as for Japanese confectionery? They are made to match with Japanese green tea or Matcha (thick green tea). What is ”Wagashi”？ Traditional Japanese confectionery is called ‘Wagashi' which means 'Japanese sweets'. Although there are attempts by Wagashi pâtissiers to use Western techniques to create new types of Wagashi, using eggs and cream etc., Wagashi is traditionally made only from plant ingredients: Azuki red beans which make Anko bean paste, sugar and Kanten agar － no egg nor milk, even wheat flour is not a must. Wagashi different for each season ...

: Taiyaki is a Traditional Japanese Ssweet

There are a lot of sweets that used "Anko" ( sweet bean paste) in Japan. Among them, Taiyaki has been popular since long ago. In one theory, it seems that the Naniwaya sohonten in Tokyo invented it in the Meiji era. Taiyaki is a fish-shaped sweet. There are a lot of "Anko" in a little sweet dough. In the past it seems that a controversy has occurred as to whether or not to put "Anko" into the tail. And in relation to the above, it seems to have been discussed whether to eat from the head or eat from the ...