Food and Drink...

    
  In so many areas of Japanese culture, presentation is just as important as practicality. Traditional Japanese food is no exception. The look of the food is just as important as the taste.
In fact, this nation takes food and drink so seriously that behind their celebrity game shows, cookery programmes are the next popular genre of television.
Below are some generic foods of Japan. There are of course many other dishes and regional variations that are too many to mention.
 
 
  Dishes to try:      
             
   
AWL Travel flight tickets, hotels, tours to Japan, Tokyo Food and Drink in Japan image   Sushi - The idea that Sushi is just raw fish is a myth. While raw fish can often be an ingredient of sushi it is by no means everything. In fact it is the vinegarized rice accompanying it which categorises it as Sushi.
 
Sashimi - Traditional Sashimi consists of thinly sliced raw fish accompanied with soy sauce and wasabi. While it may sound aesthetically bland, the manner in which it is garnished makes all the difference   AWL Travel flight tickets, hotels, tours to Japan, Tokyo Food and Drink in Japan image
 
AWL Travel flight tickets, hotels, tours to Japan, Tokyo Food and Drink in Japan image   Sukiyaki - A meal consisting of thinly sliced beef, an assortment of vegetables and tofu etc..cooked on a communal pan with soy sauce and other seasoning and then dipped in raw egg before eating.
 
Shabu-Shabu - Similar to Sukiyaki but cooked on a pot full of boiling water before dipping into 'ponzu' (a sharp tasting sauce) and eating. AWL Travel flight tickets, hotels, tours to Japan, Tokyo Food and Drink in Japan image
 
AWL Travel flight tickets, hotels, tours to Japan, Tokyo Food and Drink in Japan image   Tempura - Originally a dish thought up by the Portuguese, this is deep fried vegetables and seafood, battered in flour, water and egg.
Ramen - While ramen is originally a Chinese creation it has been thoroughly integrated into Japanese cuisine and out of the 3 types of Japanese noodle is the most popular   AWL Travel flight tickets, hotels, tours to Japan, Tokyo Food and Drink in Japan image
 
AWL Travel flight tickets, hotels, tours to Japan, Tokyo Food and Drink in Japan image   Udon - The noodles in udon are much thicker than other types of noodles and therefore takes a little longer to prepare.
 
Soba - The soba noodles are made of buckwheat and wheat flour which is what gives it that brown appearance. AWL Travel flight tickets, hotels, tours to Japan, Tokyo Food and Drink in Japan image
 
   
   
Drinks to try:          
AWL Travel flight tickets, hotels, tours to Japan, Tokyo Food and Drink in Japan image   Japanese teas - There are a number of different teas to try in Japan: sencha, gyokuro, maccha, bancha are just a few types that the Japanese often drink.
Unlike the tea we drink in the UK, sugar and milk is never added to tea in Japan. Cans and bottles of tea can also be bought in supermarkets and vending machines outselling sugary drinks such as soda.
   
It is also normal practice to receive a complimentary cup of tea in restaurants to accompany one's meal.    
     
Sake - Otherwise known as 'rice wine', this is traditionally Japan's favorite alcoholic beverage (although nowadays beer sales have overshadowed this).
It can be served either hot or cold and keeps one warm during those cold winter months.
Sake hangovers however are amongst the worst and so one should take care not to drink too much.		   AWL Travel flight tickets, hotels, tours to Japan, Tokyo Food and Drink in Japan image
   
     
AWL Travel flight tickets, hotels, tours to Japan, Tokyo Food and Drink in Japan image   Shochu - Usually made from rice, sweet potato, sugar cane or barley, this is another alcoholic favorite in Japan.
When diluted and flavoured with fruits such as lemon or grapefruit, it then becomes 'chuhai' and could be thought of as a Japanese style alco-pop.
 
       
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