When in Japan, one of the most delightful activities to engage in is eating. To the surprise of many, Japan is more than just sushi and raw fish. The Japanese might not be the most adventurous of foodies, but they still have a wide variety of fantastic dishes to savor for travellers from around the world.
The most obvious is the famous Japanese raw fish, or most seafood in their case. Popularly known as sashimi, fish or seafood is prepared raw, with chefs trained to slice them in the best possible way. They are also taught to select the freshest cut for customers, which undoubtedly leaves everyone asking for more.
Perhaps more popular than sashimi, sushi is widely known and more foreigners have tried it compared to other Japanese cuisines. Sushi comes in the form of small blocks of Japanese rice enclosed by dried seaweed, topped by other foods such as raw fish slices to salmon roe, which is more commonly known as fish eggs. The variety of sushi gives it unique flavor, and can be quite a sight as well when served.
With sushi, one should accompany it with wasabi. This is a pungent green paste that actually enhances the taste of sushi, and quite addictive due to the sensations that it triggers once placed in the mouth. Wasabi is also a healthy food, as it can help to detoxify and removes the risk of bacteria from raw food.
Japanese ramen did not originate from the country, but the inventive East Asians have made it into one of their signature foods. Ramen, or noodles, is prepared in various ways with different soup stocks. The most common ingredients include healthy slices of char siew, or pork, and boil eggs with delicious runny centres. Whole followings have developed with the many types of ramen noodles from many parts of Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyoto.
Tempura is another favorite of the Japanese. This is a general term for food that is covered with a unique flour batter and fried in boiling oil. Just about anything can be used, such as pieces of vegetables to prawns. They are then dipped in a special soy sauce base which adds to the flavor.
Grilled eel, known as unagi in Japan, is a must try. Not only is it tender - you can even eat the bones as they are soft and harmless, the teriyaki sauce that often accompanies it makes the dish a wonderful culinary delight. Unagi might be a tad expensive, but it is definitely worth the experience and taste.
Apart from these, there are still hundreds of different Japanese foods that should not be missed. If you are planning a trip to Japan, make sure to bring along a list of dishes that you wish to try. It will help to make a more complete experience when touring the country, leaving nothing but pleasant memories and a satisfied stomach.