| As with Korean cuisine, rice, combined with fish | | | | Noodles, which are high in starch and originated in |
| (or more recently other meat) and pickles, called | | | | China, have become a popular Japanese staple |
| tsukemono forms the base of most meals. | | | | with entire restaurants and restaurant chains |
| Anybody who's eaten a Japanese diet for any | | | | specializing in them. The three main varieties are: |
| length of time would agree that it's just plain | | | | Udon, made from wheat flour, is a thick white |
| healthier than the Western diet | | | | noodle. Soumen, made from wheat flour is a thin |
| Popular Japanese healthy foods high in proteins | | | | white noodle. Soba, made from a combination of |
| such as soybeans, miso, sushi, tofu, green tea | | | | buckwheat and wheat flour is a thin brown noodle. |
| and noodles are becoming more familiar to | | | | All three are generally served with a soy based |
| westerners as we look to curb our obesity and | | | | fish or vegetable broth. |
| diabetic epidemic. | | | | Another popular noodle dish which made its way |
| Although cooking ingredients are largely similar to | | | | from China in the early nineteenth century is |
| other countries, preparation makes them | | | | Ramen or Chinese wheat noodles. Like the other |
| distinctively Japanese. | | | | noodle dishes Ramen is served with a variety of |
| Japanese food, regarded as one of the healthiest | | | | vegetables, seafood, and meat enhancers. |
| national cuisines gets the bulk of its protein from | | | | Along with traditional Japanese cuisines called |
| seafood and soybeans. Soybeans are an integral | | | | (washoku), meaning "Japanese food", there are a |
| component of Japanese cuisine and are used to | | | | number of foreign dishes called (yoshoku) meaning |
| make tofu and soy sauce called shoyu which is | | | | "foreign food" that have been imported, adapted |
| one of the most common flavoring ingredients of | | | | and now considered part of the Japanese menu. |
| Japanese cuisine. Soybeans, or a fermented soy | | | | Two examples are Currie Rice which made its |
| bean paste is also the main ingredient in the most | | | | way from India via the United Kingdom in the |
| common of Japanese soups, miso soup. Combined | | | | early nineteenth century and Hamburger Steak |
| with fresh vegetables, fish or other ingredients it | | | | which is a ground beef patty mixed with |
| is enjoyed at breakfast lunch and dinner. | | | | breadcrumbs, onions and perhaps tomatoes and |
| Being an island nation the Japanese eat | | | | served with rice, chips and vegetables. It is much |
| considerably more seafood than westerners. | | | | like in any hamburger or beef patty found |
| About 80 pounds per person per year. Compared | | | | throughout the world. |
| with 15 pounds per person in the US. Most | | | | A traditional Japanese breakfast could consist of a |
| seafood these days is grown in fish farms which | | | | bowl of rice, gohan, a bowl of miso soup and a |
| keeps seafood prices comparatively low. The | | | | couple of other dishes including pickles, and |
| more popular sea foods are: shrimp, tuna, | | | | seaweed called nori. Lunch could be noodles, or a |
| mackerel, salmon and octopus. Seafood is used in | | | | main dish filled out always with a bowl of rice and |
| a variety of tasty ways from raw, called sashimi, | | | | miso soup. Dinner usually consists of a main hot |
| or with seaweed, called sushi,to barbecued and | | | | dish with a variety of vegetables, rice, miso soup, |
| braised with a myriad of tasty sauces such as | | | | pickles and sauces. |
| teriyaki sauce. Seafood is also added to soups, | | | | Most Japanese eat with chop sticks. Usually |
| stir fries, noodle dishes, hot pots or deep fried in | | | | before a meal it is customary to say |
| a thin batter and called tenpura. | | | | "itadakimasu", which roughly translates to "thank |
| Beef, although getting cheaper is still considered | | | | you, I appreciate this meal that has been |
| expensive and thus is used sparingly. It is typically | | | | prepared for me". Similarly when a meal is finished |
| thinly sliced for eating. Less expensive than beef, | | | | it is polite to say "gochisosamadeshita", which |
| pork has also been well integrated into Japanese | | | | roughly translates to thanks for the wonderful |
| cuisine. Chicken is widely popular and used in a | | | | meal that I enjoyed eating. |
| variety of dishes. A distinctively Japanese chicken | | | | The art of Japanese Cuisine is to conspire |
| dish is yakitori which is chicken pieces skewered | | | | ambience, sound, food preparation, and dishware |
| onto bamboo, barbecued then braised with an | | | | to create an oasis of calm. An opportunity for |
| assortment of sauces. Lamb is not popular in | | | | social interaction, bonding and celebration. |
| Japan due to its perceived odor. | | | | |