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