Traditional Food in Japan is based on fresh, local ingredients, with minimal processing, highlighting instead the natural flavors of the food. Fish, rice, noodles, and vegetables are some staples that make up the basis of most Japanese diets. Some popular traditional dishes include sushi, ramen, tempura, soba, tonkatsu and okonomiyaki.
Japanese cuisine emphasizes variety and balance. This is achieved through the use of five colors (black, white, red, yellow, and green), five cooking techniques (raw food, grilling, steaming, boiling, and frying), and five flavors (sweet, spicy, salty, sour, and bitter). These principles can be found even in a single meal of one soup and three sides paired with rice.
Sushi is one of the most famous foods to come from Japan. It originated from the process of preserving fish in fermented rice. Today it’s made with vinegared rice and fresh fish. Tempura is a dish of battered and fried fish or vegetables. Special care is given to the way the ingredients are cut as well as to the temperature of the batter (ice cold) and oil (very hot) for deep-frying.
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Toyama
Masu Zushi (鱒寿司)
Introduction to Masu Zushi Masu Zushi is a traditional food in Toyama prefecture Japan. It is a Japanese food consisting of trout or cherry salmon seasoned with vinegar without fermentation using a pressed sushi method. Basically, it is ... -
Ishikawa
Sasa Sushi (笹寿司)
Introduction to Sasa Sushi Sasa Sushi is a traditional food in Japan in which it is a local dish from the Hokuriku region. Likewise, it is a type of sushi in which the sushi rice and sushi seeds are wraps with Kumazasa or bamboo leaves. ... -
Fukushima
Shingoro (しんごろう)
It is said that in the old days, when people were too poor to buy glutinous rice, they rolled rice and made it a dish called "Shingoro". It is a local dish of Minamiaizu Town and Shimogo Town that is made by spreading "Juunen miso" made... -
Yamagata
Imoni (芋煮)
INTRODUCTION TO IMONI Heading somewhere north eastern part of Japan this fall? Why not try this traditional cuisine of Yamagata City! Imoni is a hearty Japanese meat stew which includes a type of taro and meat soup. It is eaten tradition... -
Saitama
Chuushiti Meshi (忠七めし)
Chuushiti Meshi is a local food in Japan since more than one hundred years ago. It is a rice dish that incorporates three important Japanese tradition. Therefore, Chuushiti Meshi is one of the Five Great Meals of Japan. So how magnificen... -
Ibaraki
Natto (納豆)
INTRODUCTION TO NATTO Natto is one of those traditional Japanese fermented foods. It is one of the healthy Japanese food in Japan. Most locals love this and have enjoyed eating it. It makes up of soybeans and has natto bacteria as a ferm... -
Aomori
Aomori Miso Curry Milk Ramen (青森味噌カレー牛乳ラーメン)
INTRODUCTION TO AOMORI MISO CURRY MILK RAMEN Ever heard a ramen with milk? Yes, there's actually a food like that! If there's a Black Ramen in Toyama, this is Aomori Miso Curry Milk Ramen, also called as white ramen. This unique ramen is... -
Tokyo
Tsukudani (佃煮)
INTRODUCTION TO TSUKUDANI Tsukudani is indispensable for Japanese food and Japanese people. It is a local specialty of Tokyo that was born after the one in the Edo period. The Tsukudani at the present is famous throughout Japan as one of... -
Gifu
Sayori Meshi (さより飯)
Meshi "めし" is a staple in Japan. Meshi refers to rice cooked by steaming or boiling. The water needs to be dried out after. Many local foods contain meshi as its primary ingredient. Rice dish is so popular all over the country. Sayori ... -
Shimane
Uzume Meshi (うずめ飯)
INTRODUCTION TO UZUME MESHI Uzume meshi is a traditional Japanese food in Shimane prefecture and is one of Japan's five great rice dishes. Its unique characteristic is that all of its ingredients are all hidden under the rice. Japanese h...