Japanese food is becoming increasingly popular, once a niche item in American cuisine. The harmony of flavors and lightness emphasized in the typical Japanese dish appeals to the palettes of many in the United States, where heavy and often deep fried foods have long dominated the market. People are afraid that ethnic cuisine will be too bland or tasteless. It is not true! This article aims to expose readers to different Japanese dishes so that they may try something new and not be afraid of what they will eat.
Domburi - This dish is basically a bowl made of rice and topped with some kind of topping. A variety of toppings are popular in Japan, many of which have successfully migrated across the Pacific and into American restaurants. Oyakodon is one example of such a dish. It uses chicken and eggs for its topping. Gyudon is another type, which is more Japanese than fast food. It's beefy in taste and very popular in Japan. Those of you who are especially outgoing tasters might like to sample unadon, a type of domburi wherein strips of grilled eel coated in a thick soya sauce are used to top the rice bowl.
Ramen: This soup has been a staple for American college students for years. Ramen has become a global favorite. It's as Oao popular in Japan as it is in the United States. Ramen comes in a variety of bases and is best recognized for its long, slender noodles. Complementing these noodles are ingredients such as dumplings (pork), miso (fermented beans) and soya-sauce. It is interesting to see that ramen was first created in China and not Japan. But, it is almost always associated with Japan today.
Sashimi: This dish is often mistaken for sushi by those still new to the realm of Japanese cuisine. Although it may be presented in a beautiful way, the fact that sashimi contains raw fish is a reality. This truth will make many Americans uncomfortable. There are many types of sashimi, with the most popular being tuna. It is important to pay attention to the aroma when eating this dish. You must ensure that the fish used in sashimi preparation is fresh.
Sushi: One of the most well-known Japanese dishes, sushi is very popular in trendy places throughout the United States. You can find many different ways to make it. To be considered sushi the dish must contain sushi-grade rice. Norimaki (or sushi rolls) is the most widely recognized type of sushi. These rolls contain sushi rice and various sorts of seafood rolled in sheets of dried seaweed. Norimaki may also contain vegetables.
Tempura is a popular Japanese dish. Tempura is a type of finger food. It consists of various types of seafood or vegetables that are 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!