Beyond Sushi: Exploring the Depths of Japanese Cuisine

 

What do you think foreigners look forward to the most when they visit Japan? It’s Japanese cuisine(Washoku 和食). According to a survey by the Japan Tourism Agency, foreign visitors look forward to Japanese food even more than Japan’s natural landscapes, historical architecture, or hot springs before their trip.

So, what comes to mind when you think of Japanese food? Sushi, rice, miso soup, ramen, soba, grilled fish, sashimi, karaage, kaiseki cuisine, unagi — there are so many options that it’s hard to choose just one. Thanks to the sushi boom that started in the United States in the 1970s, “sushi” has become a globally recognized word. Today, various Japanese dishes, such as tempura, ramen, and yakitori, are also widely popular worldwide.

The history of Japanese cuisine is long and rich. It has evolved into a unique food culture unlike any other country, combining raw food and dashi culture with influences from China and the West. Japanese people are known to be gourmets, often willing to stand in line for hours for delicious meals. Additionally, there is a custom of eating seasonal ingredients, and travelers often enjoy dishes unique to the region they visit. On TV, cooking shows and gourmet features are broadcast daily, and there are many popular movies and dramas themed around food, such as “Kodoku no Gourmet”, “Shinya Shokudo”, “Bushi no Kondate”, “The Chef of South Polar”, and “Little Forest”.