Japanese
Japanese cuisine emphasizes eating by season. Like other Asian cuisines, the flavors are in harmony.
Rice is the main dish. Next, there are side dishes. These side dishes are not what we're accustomed to in the west. Diners get a bowl of rice. Then, the cook presents 4-5 dishes on small plates to share. People dine family-style on the floor at a low-lying table.
Visit a Japanese restaurant. You'll notice that the tables are set up like small, private compartments. The table will have a button. This is to tell the staff to come help you. It’s a really neat experience.
Okay, I digress. The country has a lot of coastline. Therefore, Japanese recipes often feature seafood. Seafood is not limited to sushi. (Sushi history is another story). Seafood tempura is very popular. This tempura is popular and they’ll even fry vegetables in it.
Soup and pickled vegetables are staples, too. The most popular soup is miso. Miso is made of fermented soybeans. Pickled vegetables are there to help with digestion and good bacteria.
Across the board, Japanese food is beautifully presented. There are so many interesting things to learn about it.
