Japanese Food

1. By Tamara Pottrick and Tia Kooner Japanese Food

2. The Ancient History of Cooking • In 400 BC, Korea introduced the first main food to Japan, which was rice • In 300 BC, China introduced the second main food to Japan, the soy bean • By the 6th century, Buddhism became part of the Japanese culture, bringing the law of not eating fish and meat, lasting 1200 years • When the Europeans came in the 16th century, they brought western fried foods, sugar, and corn • After the Meiji Restoration in 1867, meat was reintroduced to Japanese culinary

3. Modern Day Cooking • Modern day cooking is still influenced by geography and seasons with seafood and veggies the most common foods • Freshness, presentation, and balance of flavours are very important in Japanese culinary • Meals always include rice and soup, but with few dairy products • Sushi and sushimi (raw fish) are often eating at the beginning of a meal • Dessert is rarely served with the exception of fresh fruit on occasions

4. Japanese Restaurants • There are about 15 different types of restaurants that specialize in different types of Japanese foods –e.g. Sushi-ya specializes in sushi; Kaiten-zushi specializes in sushi on a conveyor belt; and Soba-ya specializes in soba and udon noodles • In traditional restaurants, you must take off your shoes before entering, you sit on cushions and the tables are lower to the floor • Chopsticks are set in a box in the middle of the table

5. Modern Japanese Restaurants • In the front window of the restaurant, they display plastic or wax replicas of each dish • Waiters greet you as you enter and lead you to your westernized table • When you sit down you are given either water or tea for free, and a wet towel for your hands • The bill is presented either as you receive your meal, or after you have eaten • Tipping is not expected and waiters may chase you out of the restaurant to give back any change left behind

6. Etiquitte • A meal in Japan traditionally starts with the phrase itadakimasu and ends with gochisousamadeshita • Never stab food • Pouring soy sauce all over your rice is considered greedy • Never stick chopsticks straight up in rice as it represents incense at a funeral • Never pass food from chopstick to chopstick • It is polite to clear your plate

7. Menu • Breakfast – fish, rice, miso soup, japanesepickles, nori, raw egg to mix with rice • Lunch - obentos including rice, sushi, tempura with raw egg to dip, onagiri, and vegetables • Dinner – miso soup, rice, soy beans, baked fish, tea These are only a few of the combinations that you would typically eat in a Japanese restaurant or household

8. Kitchen Tools

9. Bibliography • http://www.geocities.co.jp/AnimalPark-Shiro/7757/dinner.html • www.recipes4us.co.uk/Cooking%20by%20country/Japan.htm • www.about.com • www.japan-guide.com/e/e2036.html

10. Pictures