Japanese Eating Habits: Common Foods and Recipes
Some expats living in Japan would like to try cooking Japanese food at home.
However, you may not know what kind of ingredients to buy or what kind of dishes you can make at Japanese supermarkets.
In this article, we will introduce several ingredients and recipes for expats living in Japan to enjoy Japanese food.
We hope you will give them a try.
What is commonly eaten in Japan?
Rice
Rice is a staple food in Japan.
White rice contains fiber and other nutrients. Brown rice is also recommended for those who want to incorporate vitamins and minerals.
Generally eaten with side dishes, it is sometimes eaten as "takikomi gohan" with other ingredients. (e.g., "gogomoku takikomi gohan")
Fish
Japanese families often eat fish.
Salmon, horse mackerel, mackerel, yellowtail, etc. are grilled or boiled and eaten as is.
In addition, Japan has a wide variety of fish sold in supermarkets, and one can enjoy seasonal fish available only during that season.
For example, in autumn, people eat Sanma (Pacific saury).
Tofu
Tofu is a traditional Japanese food.
Soybeans are processed to make various types of tofu, such as "silken tofu," "cotton (momen) tofu," "thick tofu," etc.
It can be eaten as is with soy sauce for a delicious taste.
It is also used a lot in cooking ingredients like miso soup.
Seaweed
Seaweed is an edible plant that grows in the sea.
"Wakame", "Kelp", "Nori", etc. are some examples.
Seaweed is a food known for its high fiber and mineral content and health benefits.
There are many ways to cook it, such as adding it to miso soup or boiling it a little and eating it as is.
Pickles
Pickles are foods made by marinating various ingredients, such as vegetables, in salt or soy sauce.
Examples include "pickled plums", "rakkyo", and "asazuke".
In the pickles section of the supermarket, you will find many kinds of pickles.
Let's find out if there is something you like.
Recommended Japanese recipes
Onigiri (rice ball)
Onigiri are rice balls made of rice with fillings inside.
The shape can be triangular or round.
It has been a common Japanese food since ancient times, and anyone can easily make it.
It is often eaten for lunch or as a light meal.
＜Ingredients＞ For 1 portion ・A bowl of rice ・1 sheet of glue ・Ingredients to be placed inside (Salmon, kelp, dried plums, mentaiko, etc.) ・Salt *to taste ＜How to make it＞ 1. Cook rice 2. Lay out plastic wrap and sprinkle with salt to taste. 3. Place nori on a piece of plastic wrap and put cooked rice on it. 4. Put your favorite ingredients (salmon, kelp, etc.) on top of the rice. 5. Wrap everything in plastic wrap and hold with both hands to form a triangle shape. |
Miso soup
Miso soup is a soup made by dissolving miso in soup stock and simmering it.
Because miso is made from beans, it contains a lot of protein.
In addition, it is a warm soup, so it warms the body when drunk.
It is also recommended when you want to start the day with energy in the morning.
＜Ingredients＞ 2 people 400 ml water A dash of granulated dashi (karyu dashi - powdered dashi) 2 to 3 tablespoons miso 1/2 tofu 1 teaspoon dried wakame seaweed ＜How to make it＞ 1. Put water in a pot and bring it to a boil 2. Add granulated soup stock and dried wakame seaweed 3. Once off the heat, add miso and let it dissolve. 4. Cut tofu into small dice and put them in a pot to boil again. 5. When the tofu is cooked through, it is ready to serve. |
Nikujaga (Meat and potato stew)
One of the staples of Japanese home cooking is meat and potatoes.
Meat and potatoes are made with ingredients such as potatoes, beef, and onions, seasoned with soy sauce and sugar.
It is a dish that allows you to eat a lot of vegetables and feel dusty.
It may be a little difficult to make, but give it a try!
＜Ingredients＞ For 2 people 2 medium potatoes (about 300g) 0.5 medium carrot (60g) 0.5 large onion (140g) 2~3 peas 75g thinly sliced beef 200 ml soup stock 1.5 tablespoons sugar 1.5 tablespoons sake 2 tablespoons soy sauce 0.5 tablespoon salad oil ＜How to make it＞ 1. Peel potatoes, cut into 6 equal pieces and place in water. Peel and cut carrots into small pieces, and cut onions into thin slices (about 1 cm wide). Remove the strands from the peas and boil them. Cut beef into 4-5 cm lengths. 2. Heat a pan and add salad oil. Stir-fry the beef, breaking it up as you go. When the beef changes color, add the potatoes and carrots to the pan. 3. Add broth and simmer. Remove any lye. Add sugar, sake, soy sauce and simmer. 4. Sprinkle onions over the potatoes and cook over medium to low heat until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. 5. Finish by garnishing with peas. (Source:農林水産省「ごはんにぴったりレシピ 肉じゃが」, with ingredients changed for two servings) |
And lastly
Japanese ingredients and cuisine are delicious and nutritionally balanced.
The recipes introduced are commonly made in Japanese households, so we encourage you to try them.
There are many other seasonal ingredients and dishes that are available, so if you are interested, please check them out.
Try different foods, cook a lot, and enjoy your food life in Japan!
FAQ
Q1. When shopping at a Japanese supermarket or market, what kind of food items should I choose?
Vegetables and fruits - brightly colored and shiny
Fish - those with clear eyes
Meat - bright red
Eggs - eggs that are not cracked and have a good shelf life.
Q2. What kind of seasonings should I have when cooking Japanese food at home?
The following seasonings are used to prepare Japanese home cooking.
- Soy Sauce
- Mirin
- Cooking Sake
- Vinegar
- Sugar
- Salt
- Miso
- Dashi (dashi packet, granulated dashi, mentsuyu, etc.)
With this seasoning, you can make almost any Japanese recipe!
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