| Japanese food, once little more than a niche | | | | rather than Japan, but the dish is almost always |
| occupant in the greater scope of American | | | | associated with the latter source nowadays. |
| cuisine, has become increasingly popular in recent | | | | Sashimi: This dish is often mistaken for sushi by |
| years. The harmony of flavors and lightness | | | | those still new to the realm of Japanese cuisine. |
| emphasized in the typical Japanese dish appeals to | | | | Although it is often presented artistically, the fact |
| the palettes of many in the United States, where | | | | remains that sashimi is raw fish, a truth which |
| heavy and often deep fried foods have long | | | | turns the stomach of many a squeamish |
| dominated the market. Many people remain | | | | American. Several types of sashimi are served, |
| reluctant about exploring this aspect of ethnic | | | | the most popular of which is probably tuna. Diners |
| cuisine, however, for fear that they'll find | | | | should be lend particular attention to the scent |
| something on their plate which appears as though | | | | when partaking of this dish. The fish used to |
| it came from the Iron Chef. This is far from the | | | | prepare sashimi must be exceptionally fresh and |
| truth! The intent of this article is to introduce | | | | as such, it should be devoid of any fishy scent. |
| readers to a variety of different Japanese dishes, | | | | Sushi: Perhaps the most well-recognized of all |
| that they might go out and try something new | | | | Japanese dishes, sushi has become particularly |
| without fear of what they'll be eating. | | | | popular in trendy regions of the United States. It |
| Domburi: This dish is quite simply a bowl of rice | | | | is served in too many variations to list completely |
| adorned with some sort of topping. A variety of | | | | in the space of this article. To be considered sushi, |
| toppings are popular in Japan, many of which have | | | | however, the dish must contain rice that has been |
| successfully migrated across the Pacific and into | | | | prepared with sushi vinegar. The most recognized |
| American restaurants. One example of this dish is | | | | form of sushi is probably norimaki, or sushi rolls. |
| oyakodon, which uses both chicken and egg for | | | | These rolls contain sushi rice and various sorts of |
| its topping. Another sort of domburi, gyudon, is | | | | seafood rolled in sheets of dried seaweed. |
| beefy in flavor and more popular in Japan as fast | | | | Norimaki often includes vegetables, as well. |
| food. Those of you who are especially outgoing | | | | Tempura: This dish has also become quite popular |
| tasters might like to sample unadon, a type of | | | | within Japan and across the globe. Tempura is |
| domburi wherein strips of grilled eel coated in a | | | | something of a finger food, consisting of differing |
| thick soya sauce are used to top the rice bowl. | | | | types of seafood and/or vegetables fried in a |
| Ramen: This soup dish has been a staple of the | | | | special batter. The end result is a delightful treat |
| American college student's diet for years. Wildly | | | | which is crisp without being heavy, as is often the |
| popular around the world, ramen is to the | | | | case with deep fried cuisine in America. The |
| Japanese what a burger and fries are to your | | | | ingredients featured in tempura are too numerous |
| average United States native. Ramen comes in a | | | | to possibly list and often vary wildly from one |
| variety of bases and is best recognized for its | | | | restaurant to the next. |
| long, slender noodles. Complimenting these noodles | | | | The five dishes listed above should provide the |
| are such ingredients as dumplings, pork, miso | | | | novice gourmand with a particularly tasty |
| (fermented soybeans) and soya sauce. It's | | | | introduction to the world of Japanese cuisine. |
| interesting to note that ramen originated in China, | | | | Enjoy! |