Japanese food has grown in popularity in recent years from a niche area of American cuisine. Many Americans love the harmony of flavors and lightness that is evident in typical Japanese dishes. This is a welcome change from the American tradition of heavy, often deep-fried foods. People are afraid that ethnic cuisine will be too bland or tasteless. This is far from the truth! This article is meant to show readers a range of Japanese cuisines so they can try new things without worrying about what they'll eat.
Domburi is a dish that consists of a bowl with rice and some type of topping. A wide range of toppings is popular in Japan. Many have successfully crossed the Pacific to reach American restaurants. Oyakodon (which uses both chicken breast and egg as its topping) is one example. Gyudon is another type, which is more Japanese than fast food. It's beefy in taste and very popular in Japan. You might enjoy unadon, a type or domburi made with strips of grilled eel and thick soya dipping sauce.
Ramen: This soup is a staple of American college students' diets for many years. Ramen has become a global favorite. It's as popular in Japan as it is in the United States. There are many types of ramen, but the most popular is the long, thin noodles. Complementing these noodles are ingredients such as dumplings (pork), miso (fermented beans) and soya-sauce. It's interesting that ramen is associated with Japan nowadays, even though it was developed in Oao China.
Sashimi: Many people mistake this dish for sushi when they first learn about Japanese cuisine. Although it is often presented artistically, the fact remains that sashimi is raw fish, a truth which turns the stomach of many a squeamish American. There are many varieties of sashimi. The most popular is likely tuna. When eating this dish, diners should pay particular attention to its scent. The fish used to prepare sashimi must be exceptionally fresh and as such, it should be devoid of any fishy scent.
Sushi, perhaps the most well-known of all Japanese cuisines, has gained popularity in trendy areas of the United States. There are too many ways to enjoy it that we can't list them all. To be considered sushi, however, the dish must contain rice that has been prepared with sushi vinegar. The most recognized form of sushi is probably norimaki, or sushi rolls. These rolls include sushi rice, various seafood types, and are rolled in sheets made of dried seaweed. Norimaki also often contains vegetables.
Tempura is a popular Japanese dish. Tempura can be described as a finger food that consists of different types of seafood and/or vegetable fried in a special batter. The end result is a delightful treat which is crisp without being heavy, as is often the case with deep fried cuisine in America. There are far too many ingredients to mention in tempura and the flavors can vary from one restaurant.
The five listed dishes will provide a tasty introduction to Japanese cuisine to novices. Enjoy!