Learn about the ingredients, habits, traditions, and ideas that shape how people eat and think about food in Japan.
Food Vegetarian and Vegan in Japan: What Travelers Need to Know Before Eating Out
Japanese food uses plenty of plant-based ingredients: tofu, vegetables, rice, seaweed, mushrooms, and pickles are all co...
Food What Do Japanese Food Names Mean? 16 Dishes Explained
Sushi, ramen, tempura, yakitori.Many Japanese food names are now used as they are in English-speaking countries.But when...
Food Beyond Matcha: The Everyday World of Japanese Tea
When people outside Japan think of Japanese tea, matcha may be the first thing that comes to mind.Matcha lattes, matcha ...
Food Japan’s “Dangerous” Foods: A Friendly Survival Guide
Japan is an easy place to enjoy eating out and trying new foods, but every now and then, there are a few small “traps” w...
Food Osaka vs. Hiroshima Okonomiyaki: What’s the Real Difference?
Outside Japan, okonomiyaki is often introduced as a single Japanese dish.But place Osaka-style and Hiroshima-style okono...
Food Why Does Japan Love Fluffy Food? The Culture of “Fuwa Fuwa”
# Why Does Japan Love Fluffy Food? The Culture of “Fuwa Fuwa”If you spend much time on social media, you may have seen J...
Food Why Is Japanese Seafood So Good? From Ocean to Table
When I watch reaction videos of foreign visitors eating sushi or sashimi in Japan, I often hear the same question:“Why i...
Food Yoshoku: How Western Food Became Everyday Japanese Cuisine
Some visitors to Japan may have a simple question:Why does Japan have both washoku and yoshoku?Omurice, hamburg steak, N...
Culture Japanese Kitchen Knives: Sharpness, Craft, and Everyday Cooking
Japanese kitchen knives are known overseas for their sharpness, craftsmanship, and beautiful finish.Their popularity has...
Food How Curry Became One of Japan’s Favorite Comfort Foods
Curry can be found almost everywhere in Japan: at home, in school lunches, company cafeterias, specialist restaurants, c...