| Japanese food, once little more than a niche | | | | China, rather than Japan, but the dish is |
| occupant in the greater scope of American | | | | almost always associated with the latter |
| cuisine, has become increasingly popular in | | | | source nowadays.Sashimi: This dish is often |
| recent years. The harmony of flavors and | | | | mistaken for sushi by those still new to the |
| lightness emphasized in the typical Japanese | | | | realm of Japanese cuisine. Although it is |
| dish appeals to the palettes of many in the | | | | often presented artistically, the fact |
| United States, where heavy and often deep | | | | remains that sashimi is raw fish, a truth |
| fried foods have long dominated the market. | | | | which turns the stomach of many a squeamish |
| Many people remain reluctant about exploring | | | | American. Several types of sashimi are |
| this aspect of ethnic cuisine, however, for | | | | served, the most popular of which is probably |
| fear that they'll find something on their | | | | tuna. Diners should be lend particular |
| plate which appears as though it came from | | | | attention to the scent when partaking of this |
| the Iron Chef. This is far from the truth! | | | | dish. The fish used to prepare sashimi must |
| The intent of this article is to introduce | | | | be exceptionally fresh and as such, it should |
| readers to a variety of different Japanese | | | | be devoid of any fishy scent.Sushi: Perhaps |
| dishes, that they might go out and try | | | | the most well-recognized of all Japanese |
| something new without fear of what they'll be | | | | dishes, sushi has become particularly popular |
| eating.Domburi: This dish is quite simply a | | | | in trendy regions of the United States. It |
| bowl of rice adorned with some sort of | | | | is served in too many variations to list |
| topping. A variety of toppings are popular | | | | completely in the space of this article. To |
| in Japan, many of which have successfully | | | | be considered sushi, however, the dish must |
| migrated across the Pacific and into American | | | | contain rice that has been prepared with |
| restaurants. One example of this dish is | | | | sushi vinegar. The most recognized form of |
| oyakodon, which uses both chicken and egg for | | | | sushi is probably norimaki, or sushi rolls. |
| its topping. Another sort of domburi, | | | | These rolls contain sushi rice and various |
| gyudon, is beefy in flavor and more popular | | | | sorts of seafood rolled in sheets of dried |
| in Japan as fast food. Those of you who are | | | | seaweed. Norimaki often includes vegetables, |
| especially outgoing tasters might like to | | | | as well.Tempura: This dish has also become |
| sample unadon, a type of domburi wherein | | | | quite popular within Japan and across the |
| strips of grilled eel coated in a thick soya | | | | globe. Tempura is something of a finger |
| sauce are used to top the rice bowl.Ramen: | | | | food, consisting of differing types of |
| This soup dish has been a staple of the | | | | seafood and/or vegetables fried in a special |
| American college student's diet for years. | | | | batter. The end result is a delightful treat |
| Wildly popular around the world, ramen is to | | | | which is crisp without being heavy, as is |
| the Japanese what a burger and fries are to | | | | often the case with deep fried cuisine in |
| your average United States native. Ramen | | | | America. The ingredients featured in tempura |
| comes in a variety of bases and is best | | | | are too numerous to possibly list and often |
| recognized for its long, slender noodles. | | | | vary wildly from one restaurant to the |
| Complimenting these noodles are such | | | | next.The five dishes listed above should |
| ingredients as dumplings, pork, miso | | | | provide the novice gourmand with a |
| (fermented soybeans) and soya sauce. It's | | | | particularly tasty introduction to the world |
| interesting to note that ramen originated in | | | | of Japanese cuisine. Enjoy! |