Japan has expanded our culinary expertise by introducing its tasty and incredibly unusual food.  They also  revolutionized our automobiles, computers, and cartoon characters. At Japan Centre, they love and breathe Japanese cuisine.  So we listed our picks for top Japanese foods every foodie should try.

Sushi

When we think of Japanese cuisine, one of the first dishes that comes to mind is sushi. This delicacy was one of the first Japanese foods to be transported to the United States during the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Its popularity has gradually risen yearly since then. Sushi is any meal prepared from Japanese rice that has been seasoned with rice vinegar. Sushi chefs commonly divide sushi into three types:

• Makizushi (sushi rice and fillings wrapped in nori seaweed).
• Nigiri sushi (shaped, bite-size mounds of sushi rice with single slices of raw fish or similar draped over the top).
• Inarizushi (sushi rice and contents wrapped in nori seaweed) (sushi rice stuffed inside pockets of inari; a type of seasoned, fried tofu).

Udon

Udon is a type of thick, chewy, white Japanese noodle made from wheat flour and water. Often served in a meat or seafood broth, udon dishes are incredibly popular throughout Japan, and with Japan Centre’s amazing range of udon products, we know that it’s very easy to recreate a Japanese udon feast in your own home.

Soba

Soba is another type of Japanese noodle, made primarily from buckwheat flour and water. These soba noodles have a slightly nutty, sweet flavor.  Plus many people often serve soba cold with dipping sauces or sauces such as tsuyu to complement the dish.

Tempura

Tempura is a super-popular Japanese food and is available in a variety of mouthwatering styles. While tempura is a general term for battered and fried seafood and vegetables, it’s possible to find several different types of tempura dishes. A traditional ebi fry is a tempura dish consisting of shrimp and vegetables.  Chefs dip them in a mix of egg, rice, and wheat flour, then deep-fry.

Tofu

Tofu has long been a staple ingredient in Japanese cuisine. Plus it is one of the most versatile and tasty sources of vegetarian protein. It has a very mild flavor. Plus, many people often serve it in a broth or served cold with soy sauce and a piece of nori. The Japanese way of enjoying tofu is to cut it into bite-size cubes and eat it directly with soy sauce, without cooking.

Japanese Curry

Curry is a spicy, savory dish that is popular in Japan. Many different curry dishes are popular around the world, and Japan’s curry is no exception. Japanese curry is very thick and rich, made from a roux of flour, butter, and curry powder. The most traditional ingredients for Japanese curry include chicken or beef, potatoes, onions, and carrots. Indian curry inpires a lot of the Japanese curry that you can buy. But there are a large variety of different Japanese curry dishes available.

Tsukemono

Tsukemono are Japanese pickled vegetables.  Chefs typically make it from daikon, cabbage, and cucumber. These dishes are incredibly healthy and are a great addition to many Japanese meals. Tsukemono can be eaten on their own.  But they can be served with rice, or they can go well with a wide range of other dishes. You can get a variety of tsukemono that are extremely delicious and bursting with flavor.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a huge variety of Japanese foods that offer you a huge range of tastes, flavors, and textures. These delicious, authentic dishes are a great addition to any meal.  And we’re sure that you’ll thoroughly enjoy trying them out. There are so many Japanese foods every foodie should try.

Food Fire + Knives can provide you with a private chef in Los Angeles, that will make your guests feel special by providing the food that you desire served on-site. Let us provide you with a wonderful and unique experience that you and your guests will never forget!