Japanese food is becoming increasingly popular, once a niche item in American cuisine. In America, heavy and often deep-fried foods dominate the market. The Japanese cuisine's harmony of flavors and lightness appeals to many. Many people fear that the Iron Chef will make their plates look like they are eating ethnic food. This is far from true. This article was written to help readers get to know a wide range of Japanese foods so they are able to try them out without being afraid.
Domburi: This dish is quite simply a bowl of rice adorned with some sort of topping. Many toppings are very popular in Japan and many have made it to America. Oyakodon is one example of such a dish. It uses chicken and eggs for its topping. Another sort of domburi, gyudon, is beefy in flavor and more popular in Japan as fast food. For those who enjoy a more formal taste, you might want to try unadon. This is a type domburi in which strips of grilled fish are coated in a thick soya-based sauce and topped with rice.
Ramen is a soup that has been a staple on the American college student's menu for years. Ramen is an international favorite. To the Japanese, it's the equivalent of a burger or fries. Ramen is available in many bases but it's best known for its long, thin noodles. Complimenting these noodles are such ingredients as dumplings, pork, miso (fermented soybeans) 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 sometimes mistaken for sushi by those who are new to Japanese cuisine. While it is often presented artistically sashimi still tastes like raw fish. This is something that many Americans find hard to swallow. There are Oao Sushi several types of sushi, but the most common is tuna. The smell of the dish should be taken into consideration by diners. You must ensure that the fish used in sashimi preparation is fresh.
Sushi, perhaps the most well-known of all Japanese cuisines, has gained popularity in trendy areas of the United States. There are far too many options to mention all the variations. 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 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 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 many ingredients that go into tempura. These ingredients can vary greatly from one restaurant or another.
These five dishes should offer a great introduction to Japanese cuisine for the novice chef. Enjoy!