Japanese food has grown in popularity in recent years from a niche area of American cuisine. The combination of lightness and harmony in a typical Japanese dish appeals greatly to Americans, who have long been accustomed to heavy, deep-fried food. Many people are reluctant to explore this side of ethnic cuisine for fear of finding something that tastes like an Iron Chef. It is not true! The intent of this article is to introduce readers to a variety of different Japanese dishes, that they might go out and try something new without fear of what they'll be eating.
Domburi - This dish is basically a bowl made of rice and topped with some kind of topping. A wide range of toppings is popular in Japan. Many have successfully crossed the Pacific to reach American restaurants. One example of this dish is oyakodon, which uses both chicken and egg for its topping. Gyudon is another type, which is more Japanese than fast food. It's beefy in taste and very popular in Japan. If you are a keen taster, unadon is a type of domburi that includes strips of grilled eel covered in thick soya sauce.
Ramen: For years, this soup has been a staple in the American college student diet. Ramen is hugely popular all around the globe. For the Japanese, it is the same thing as a burger and fries for the average American. Ramen can be made with many different bases, but its most distinctive feature is its long, thin noodles. These noodles can be complemented by dumplings and pork, as well as miso (fermented soybeans), soya sauce, and pork. Interesting to note is that ramen was originally created in China rather than Japan. However, the dish is almost always associated today with Japan.
Sashimi: Many people mistake this dish for sushi when they first learn about Japanese cuisine. Even though it's often presented artistically in Japanese cuisine, the truth is that sashimi can be eaten raw fish. This fact is what makes many Americans squeamish. There are many varieties of sashimi. The most popular is likely tuna. The smell of the dish should be taken into consideration by diners. Sashimi fish must be extremely fresh.
Sushi, perhaps the most well-known of all Japanese cuisines, has gained popularity in trendy areas of the United States. There are many options for how to prepare sushi. To be considered sushi, the dish must contain sushi vinegar-marinated rice. Norimaki, also known as sushi rolls, is the most well-known form of sushi. These rolls contain sushi rice and various sorts of seafood rolled in sheets of dried seaweed. Norimaki often Oao Sushi includes vegetables, as well.
Tempura is a popular Japanese dish. Tempura is something of a finger food, consisting of differing types of seafood and/or vegetables fried in a special batter. It is delicious and crisp without being too heavy, which is what is often the case in deep-fried American cuisine. There are far too many ingredients to mention in tempura and the flavors can vary from one restaurant.
The five dishes listed above should provide the novice gourmand with a particularly tasty introduction to the world of Japanese cuisine. Enjoy!