JAPAN: CULINARY CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

Omuraisu is a Japanese dish that belongs to the yoshoku category, which includes dishes that are loose interpretations of Western ones. The Japanese treat their culinary culture very seriously, for example, they follow many rituals regarding sushi preparation or traditional tea brewing. However, they are not reluctant to assimilate dishes from various parts of the world and adapt them to their own culinary tastes.

Nowhere will a bowl of rice, since that is exactly what donburi (丼) means, taste as good as in Japan itself. More so, given the fact that the Japanese serve this simple dish in countless different ways. As such, it will certainly prove appealing to both meat-eaters and vegetarians. It is also a great way to make use of any leftover food, as well as any seasonal products during spring and summer. What are the most popular donburi recipes and how to prepare them in accordance with the Japanese culinary art?

Every cuisines has its own inimitable traditional dishes. The Country of Cherry Blossoms is no exception. There are several Japanese recipes you simply must try. The most obvious choices are sushi, tempura or chicken ramen. Another, equally delicious dish of Japanese cooks is a colourful bowl full of rice and fish. What are the types of chirashi-zushi and how to prepare them?

Japanese cuisine is usually associated with sushi, rice, soy or tempura. But few people know that the most popular Japanese dishes include breaded pork cutlet, just as in Poland. The Japanese nature and precision require it to be properly prepared. So how can you prepare and serve tonkatsu (豚カツ) the right way?

Pasta is the speciality of Italian cuisine. But what if we get bored with spaghetti, penne, tagliatelle or fusilli dishes? Asian treats are also famous for a variety of noodles. Soba is definitely one to surprise you with a new dimension of cooking. How should we prepare and serve it with to achieve the depth of taste?

Beef is currently one of the most exclusive types of meat. An example that is the most valued by food lovers, the healthiest but also the most expensive is the incredibly delicate Kobe beef from Wagyu – mercilessly spoilt cattle. Its meat is a luxury food product protected with a quality mark. Breeders must meet rigorous standards and demonstrate that their cows have perfect conditions – which are basically royal for Wagyu!

Nattō is among the most peculiar and popular dishes of Japanese cuisine. It has a very high nutritional value and is considered to be one of the healthiest products in the world. On the other hand, its characteristic aroma, gooey, sticky texture and rather unpleasant taste can be rather repulsive for those not used to this Japanese delicacy.

A repository of antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients. An elixir of youth and a way to achieve perfect harmony between peace and stimulation. There is a reason matcha is sometimes called “the green gold of Japan.” Learn the unique properties of the Japanese powdered tea.

A burning table, Oriental dishes, conjured in just a few seconds by culinary virtuosos whose perfect technique gives special taste to even the simplest meals – learn about teppanyaki and check out the Japanese version of barbecue. Beware, once you have read this, you will most likely never look at you favourite barbecued pork steak the same again!

How to prepare dumplings without rolling out the dough into a huge patch? Although no Polish cook can imagine making dumplings otherwise, the Japanese have their own recipe. Check how the Japanese gyoza differ from Polish dumplings and learn how to prepare them in 5 simple steps.

The greenish paste, which all Japanese sushi lover will certainly recognise, is the extremely hot wasabi horseradish that has been known for centuries. Being one of the most expensive and hottest condiments in the world, it not only features exceptional flavour but also offers plentiful of health benefits. Discover what is hidden in green, Japanese rhizome and find out how it is used – not only in the culinary art.

Sushi is one of the most popular Japanese dishes. Although in Poland it is still commonly believed that it is just raw fish, the Japanese culinary dictionary contains a whole lot of rice delicacies under the name sushi. Discover the richness of Japanese cuisine and learn how to recognise the most popular types of sushi.

Just like its Occident equivalents, Japanese omelette is one of the simplest home-made dishes of Japanese cuisine. Due to their mild sweat and salty taste, tamagoyaki are enjoyed by almost everyone in Japan – from busy workaholics to children, whom parents pack sliced omelettes to their bentos. See how the Japanese tamago differ from our popular omelettes and check how to prepare them on your own.

Do you want good luck in the new year? Eat a cookie! According to a Japanese tradition, you will have a successful new year if you eat mochi – stuffed rice balls that symbolise long and happy life.

Rice is for the Japanese what bread is for Europeans. So no wonder that rice is used in the Country of Cherry Blossoms even to prepare sandwiches. Onigiri are stuffed rice balls which Japanese mums prepare for their children to school and which trekkers take with them as a practical nutritious snack.

Just like the Italians, whom poverty forced to bake yeast cakes with tomatoes, Japanese created their own “emergency dish” while facing a crisis. Although Japan is now well past the post-war recession, okonomiyaki keeps winning the hearts of the Japanese and, just like Italian pizza, it is a culinary attraction for tourists.

Another national dish of Japan, other than traditional sushi, is… curry with rice. No, we are not mistaken. The aroma of the Indian spice has won over Japanese food lovers and become a regular part of their national culture.

Even though we associate Japanese cuisine mostly with various types of sushi, Asian noodles are an equally important element of Japanese menu. Udon, either served in soups or accompanied by aromatic sauces and vegetables, is a good example.

Japanese cuisine is gaining popularity all around the world. The diversity of tastes and aromas, the unique healthy properties and the aesthetic form are just a few of its outstanding qualities. Places where you an enjoy sushi or ramen can now be found in basically all cities. More and more bars that offer Japanese street food, such as okonomiyaki or takoyaki – golden octopus balls – keep emerging.

Japanese cuisine offers an incredibly exciting culinary experience – both gustatory and visual. It is based on several main ingredients – fresh fish, fruit, vegetables and rice, all of high quality and virtually unprocessed. The essence of Japanese cuisine is aptly captured in the old saying that “you eat with your eyes.” Every dish is a separate composition, looking like a work of art. All this makes Japanese snacks and starters perfect for a reception or a party.

Even though savoury Japanese dishes have been tempting and fascinating the Western world for years, sweets from Japan are something we rarely hear of. The Japanese moderation and self-restraint is also visible in their desserts, which are far from European confectionery. Japanese cuisine is full of exciting ideas for sweet light dishes based on plant ingredients.

Japanese dishes can be eaten in many forms and served in various ways. Dishes from the Land of the Rising Sun can be served both hot and cold. Served cold, popular dishes can act both as the main course and as snacks.

Japan’s unique flavours are perfect for various celebrations. Japanese delicacies can turn an evening with your loved one into a unique experience. A Japanese-style romantic dinner will be perfect if both of you like unusual flavours, and are looking for a unique culinary experience.

Japanese cuisine is popular not only among adults across the world. Dishes from the Land of the Rising Sun are eagerly consumed by the little ones as well. Children cannot have enough of Japanese delicacies – here are four of the most popular ones!

Japanese cuisine is popular among connoisseurs. Cooks and testers the world over have fallen in love with Japanese delicacies such as sushi, soba, ramen, udon and many other distinct dishes from the Land of the Rising Sun. A dish which is especially popular among Europeans is yakitori.

Japanese cuisine is among the healthiest of them all, and not without good reason. It is low in calories, rich in nutrients and vitamins, easily digestible and tastes unique, so it is no wonder that Japanese dishes are becoming more and more popular among culinary tourists. Sushi is one of the most popular dishes from the Land of the Rising Sun, and it is often the first thing that comes to mind when people think about Japan.

Is there anyone who does not sometimes have a desire for Japanese cuisine? After all, it is one of the healthiest and tastiest cuisines in the world. Keep in mind that you do not have to order ready-made meals to sate your appetite – a home-cooked traditional Japanese meal for your family is something you can often make yourself.

Japanese cuisine wins the hearts of connoisseurs all over the world. Delicacies from the Land of the Rising Sun have also found fans in Europe and Poland. While the Japanese diet is very varied, there are dishes which have gained particular popularity. Sushi, dango, onigiri and daifuku are some of the dishes which are most often consumed by the Japanese.

The art of Japanese cuisine is not only about carefully selected ingredients and ages-old recipes, but also relies on proper equipment to make its culinary masterpieces. Proper equipment allows chefs to achieve the full potential of traditional dishes, and turns making them into a real ceremony.

Japanese cuisine is not only about the art of the table, but also the art of love. Japanese cuisine has long been considered to be full of natural aphrodisiacs, able to awaken the sensuality of the seemingly cold and detached Japanese.

Japanese cuisine belongs to the healthiest of them all. Over the past few hundred years, it has had countless admirers across the globe not only because of its healthfulness, but most importantly because of its flavours. The subdued flavours from the Land of the Rising Sun are not only for connoisseurs. A staple ingredient of Japanese cuisine is rice. How is rice cultivated and cooked in Japan?

Japanese cuisine offers many distinct, delicious dishes, which set it apart from traditional European cuisine. Sushi, pasta and seafood are just some of the dishes, which enjoy great popularity worldwide. Tempura is yet another tremendously popular dish. How to make it at home?

The Japanese are known for their resourcefulness and their practical solutions apply to almost all areas of life. Cuisine is no exception, and over the years, the Japanese have introduced a plethora of practical ways of making food.

Japan is known for its unique flavours and high-quality dishes. Japanese cuisine is popular across the globe – and Poland is no exception. In addition to sushi, Japan’s most recognisable food, Japan is also known for another dish – sashimi.

Every food lover is bound to find something to their liking in the diverse Japanese cuisine, full of healthy meals, including various salads which may become a permanent addition to the daily diet of Europeans.

Japan is among the countries with the largest quantities of fish and seafood consumed by inhabitant per year. Raw fish is one of the main ingredients of the most popular Japanese dish – sushi.

Japanese cuisine is famous for fish dishes. Japan is a global leader when it comes to eating seafood and fish. As a result, the menus of Japanese restaurants offer a number of dishes unavailable in Europe. Fugu, a dish made of poisonous fish, is one of them.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. However, breakfast dishes tend to vary between countries. Polish breakfast usually consists of scrambled eggs, sandwiches, milk with cornflakes or other products, depending on individual preferences. Breakfast in Japan looks slightly different.

Japan’s cuisine is characterised by gentle flavours. The Japanese believe that everyone should season food according to their own needs, which is why they enjoy a variety of condiments. Their aromatic sauces and wasabi are well known all over the globe.

The Japanese are among the nations with the longest life expectancy. They often reach the age of a hundred years and more. Due to their temperament, philosophy of life, highly developed medicine and world’s healthiest cuisine, they live longer than average citizens of the Western countries. To what do they owe their health?

Sushi is one of the most characteristics and popular dishes of Japanese cuisine. Made of raw fish, vegetables, alga sheets and a specific type of rice, it has won the hearts of food lovers all over the world. What are the characteristics of sushi rice and how does it differ from classic rice?

Japanese cuisine is very popular around the world. Ideas inspired by recipes from Japanese cookbooks are finding their way into a growing number of Western countries. Besides the most well-known Japanese meals, such as sushi, sashimi and ramen, other types of food are also gaining popularity. There include dishes featuring fish, a key ingredient in Japanese cuisine.

Japanese noodles are the basic components of many popular and world-famous dishes. They are not just the main soup ingredient, but also an excellent addition to vegetable and meat dishes served with aromatic sauces. Combined with bouillons, sauces or seasoned pieces of meat and vegetables, Japanese noodles provide a unique blend of tastes, often impossible to achieve in Western cuisine.

People around the world have fallen in love with Japanese cuisine. Sushi, ramen and udon, and many other Japanese specialities have become regular menu items in European restaurants. There are many enthusiasts of Japanese culture and cuisine in our country as well. When it comes to the consumption technique, however, many of us have no idea how Japanese dishes show be eaten.

The Japanese are crazy about sweets. Japan’s food stores and cake shops offer a rich selection of colourful desserts, candy, chocolates, jellies and a variety of other sweet treats. In Japan, many sweets that are widely available in the West are available in exclusive flavours not found anywhere else (e.g. Kit-Kat in green tea flavour).

The Japanese are serious both about the taste and the look of their food. Eating always involves a certain ceremony: Japanese dishes are always eaten in a specific way. The culinary culture is present in all aspects of Japanese life: in legends, proverbs, ancient rites, idiomatic phrases and stories passed down from generation to generation.

Each of us can briefly move in an oriental space to distant countries. Even with original dishes, the taste of which brings us the tradition and climate of the place. Japan admirers can enjoy the cuisine during the consumption of classic dishes, such as Ramen soup with noodles. This soup has gained popularity around the world, spreading affection for Japan. Delicious Ramen can now be eaten by anyone, cooking it in the comfort of own home.

The Japanese cuisine dishes raise hearts of gourmets around the world. The traditional dishes, which come to us from Japan, gain more and more supporters. Yakisoba is one of the dish occurring on both Japanese and European tables. What is exactly hidden under the oriental name?

Japanese sauces have a distinctive oriental taste and are quite different from European add-ons, such as tomato sauce. With hot and sweet-and-sour sauces, the intensity of flavour can be adjusted to one’s preference.