Japanese Culinary Heritage

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FOOD CULTURE
Japanese Food Culture
10 Easy Facts About Japanese Food & How to Make Dango

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1. World Heritage Food
Washoku (Japanese Food)
In 2013, UNESCO named traditional Japanese food (called Washoku) an
important cultural heritage for the world.
It is famous for using very fresh food, healthy cooking styles, and showing
deep respect for nature.

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2. Fresh Seasonal Ingredients
The Idea of "Shun"
In Japan, Shun (旬) means eating food at the exact time of year when it
tastes best.
Meals change with spring, summer, autumn, and winter to give you peak
taste and good health.

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3. Umami: The Fifth Taste
A Very Savory Taste
A Japanese scientist found Umami in 1908. It is a savory, rich taste next to
sweet, sour, salty, and bitter.
Chefs get this flavor from Dashi, a light soup broth made from seaweed and
dried fish flakes.

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4. More Than Just Sushi
Many Different Dishes
Japan is famous for sushi and raw fish, but there are many other hot and
tasty foods to eat.
Popular meals include warm Ramen noodle soup, crispy Tempura, grilled
chicken Yakitori, and savory pancakes.

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5. Rice: The Main Food
Gohan (ご飯)
Short-grain white rice is the main food for almost every meal in Japan.
In fact, the word for cooked rice (Gohan) also means "meal", which shows
how important rice is every day.

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6. Beautiful Food Art
Eating with Your Eyes
Japanese cooks make food look like beautiful art before you eat it.
Special meals use real green leaves, bamboo, and nice ceramic bowls to
show the beauty of nature.

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7. Healthy Fermented Foods
Good for Your Stomach
Fermented foods add great flavor and are very good for healthy digestion.
Key seasonings like Miso soup paste, Soy sauce, and rice cooking wines are
made this way.

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8. Green Tea & Sweets
Matcha & Wagashi
Powdered green tea called Matcha is an important part of Japanese tea
culture and relaxation.
People drink matcha with Wagashi—traditional soft sweets made from rice
flour and sweet red bean paste.

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9 & 10. Health & Table Manners
1 Soup, 3 Sides
Eat Until 80% Full
Saying "Itadakimasu"
A typical meal has one bowl of soup, rice, and
The Okinawa health rule "Hara Hachi Bu" means
Before eating, people say "Itadakimasu" to say
three small side dishes for great health balance.
stop eating when you feel almost full to live
thank you to the farmers, cook, and nature.
longer.

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Sweet Treat: Dango
What is Dango?
Dango (団子) is a famous soft, chewy rice snack served on a small
wooden stick.
It is often covered in a warm, sweet, shiny soy sauce glaze called
Mitarashi and enjoyed with green tea.

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How to Make Dango
1
2
3
1. Mix Dough
2. Boil & Cool
3. Stick & Sauce
Mix sweet rice flour with water in a bowl until it
Roll into small balls and boil in water. When they
Put 3-4 balls on a wooden stick. Grill slightly and
feels soft like an earlobe.
float, cook 2 more minutes, then put them in cold
pour warm sweet soy sauce on top.
ice water.

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Image Sources
http://washokulovers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/IMG_1820.jpg
Source: washokulovers.com
https://i.shgcdn.com/5c26ff97-ee55-4277-9e78-4d5a9211f60f/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/
Source: bokksu.com
https://japaneseexcellence.org/images/hero/umami-dashi-hero.jpg
Source: japaneseexcellence.org
https://i.redd.it/9qj3fthxmrzb1.jpg
Source: www.reddit.com
https://japanesecooking101.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_6197-1024x682.jpg
Source: japanesecooking101.com
https://japanhousela.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KAISEKI_Vertical_Dish_2_rs.jpg
Source: www.japanhousela.com

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Image Sources
https://www.diet-health.info/images/recipes/main_view/miso.jpg
Source: www.diet-health.info
https://res.klook.com/images/fl_lossy.progressive,q_65/c_fill,w_1295,h_706/w_80,x_15,y_15,g_south_west,l_Klook_water_br_trans_yhcmh3/activities/iihw2mmutkhdnmtkazlu/Tokyo:MatchaTeaCe
remonywithWagashiSweets.jpg
Source: www.klook.com
https://cdn.media.amplience.net/i/japancentre/Recipe-1671-Mitarashi-Dango-Rice-Dumplings/Mitarashi-dango-rice-dumplings?$poi$&w=700&h=410&sm=c&fmt=auto
Source: www.japancentre.com