| If you want to try cooking Japanese dishes, what | | | | these can also be bought at department stores. A |
| are the things that you should know? You might | | | | wok, a rice cooker, chopsticks and chopstick |
| be wondering if there is a special way of | | | | holders can all be easily found. |
| preparing Japanese dishes, or you might have | | | | For the ingredients, some of the basics are the |
| even been discouraged because you think that | | | | following: first, you should have soy sauce. |
| Japanese cooking is too complicated, and the | | | | Japanese as well as other Oriental cooking almost |
| ingredients are nowhere to be found. On the | | | | always make use of this as seasoning. Japanese |
| contrary; cooking Japanese dishes is very simple, | | | | wine, also called mirin, is another staple; some |
| and most of the ingredients that you need can | | | | countries use red wine or vinegar in their cooking, |
| now be found at your local grocery store. More | | | | while the Japanese use rice wine. A great secret |
| and more people are trying out Japanese dishes, | | | | of many Japanese dishes is sesame oil; it is what |
| as it is one of the healthiest and tastiest in the | | | | gives the food a strong smell and taste-used |
| world. | | | | especially in noodle soups. It gives food zest and |
| To Westerners, Japanese meals are often sought | | | | life. |
| after, but many hesitate to try it by themselves. | | | | Wasabi is a staple for sauces; usually used as a |
| Seeing a Japanese kitchen might be | | | | sauce for sushi and sashimi, wasabi is a green |
| overwhelming, especially if one sees all the utensils | | | | paste made from horseradish, and is 'melted' in |
| and equipment they have. But these things can | | | | soy sauce. It is very spicy, so be careful when |
| actually be substituted with the everyday cooking | | | | using it. Cooking Japanese dishes is very easy, as |
| items we have in our own kitchens; most of | | | | long as you have these basic ingredients. |