Sanetraveller
Active Member
Japanese cuisine is incredibly diverse and rich, encompassing a wide range of flavors, textures, and cooking techniques. Here are five iconic dishes from Japanese cuisine:
- Sushi: Sushi is perhaps the most famous Japanese dish globally. It typically consists of vinegared rice combined with various ingredients such as raw or cooked seafood, vegetables, and occasionally tropical fruits. Sushi can be served in different styles, including nigiri (hand-pressed sushi), maki (sushi rolls), sashimi (sliced raw fish), and more.
- Ramen: Ramen is a popular Japanese noodle soup dish with Chinese origins. It features wheat noodles served in a flavorful broth, often flavored with soy sauce, miso, or salt, and topped with various ingredients such as sliced pork, green onions, bamboo shoots, nori (seaweed), and a soft-boiled egg.
- Tempura: Tempura is a Japanese dish of battered and deep-fried seafood and vegetables. The batter is usually made from wheat flour, water, and eggs, creating a light and crispy coating. Common ingredients for tempura include shrimp, fish, squid, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Tempura is often served with a dipping sauce called tentsuyu.
- Yakitori: Yakitori is a type of skewered and grilled chicken, although other ingredients like beef, pork, seafood, and vegetables can also be used. The skewered ingredients are typically seasoned with salt or a sweet soy sauce glaze called tare before being grilled over charcoal. Yakitori is a popular choice in izakayas (Japanese pubs) and is often served as a snack or appetizer.
- Sukiyaki: Sukiyaki is a hot pot dish made with thinly sliced beef, tofu, vegetables (such as cabbage, mushrooms, and green onions), and noodles, all cooked together in a sweet and savory broth typically made from soy sauce, sugar, and mirin (sweet rice wine). It's a popular dish for communal dining, where diners cook and eat together from a shared pot at the table.