The Japanese approach family meals very traditionally. This tradition is very interesting to people from the rest of the world. Many Europeans sometimes try to emulate the Japanese style – not only because of the flavours, but also because of the entire ceremony involved. Traditional multicourse meals are called ‘ichiju-sansai’ in the Land of the Rising Sun. A Japanese home-cooked dinner consists of many courses split into small portions.
Rice and noodles are a staple on every Japanese table. Udon and soba noodles, as well as gohan rice are all very popular. An ichiju-sansai, or typical Japanese dinner, consists of rice, soup and three dishes. Every dish is different – you will often find dishes which are cooked, fried, grilled and served raw. Traditional Japanese cuisine uses spices sparingly. The Japanese make sure that no dish is too spicy or salty. Japanese dinner tables often see meat, fish and other seafood, as well as vegetables. And for desserts, the Japanese enjoy their green tea ice cream.
The Japanese pay great attention to the aesthetic side of the dishes they serve. Due to the fact that the Japanese use chopsticks to eat, almost all dishes are cut into small pieces which are easy to swallow. Japanese hosts ensure that the dishes they make are first eaten with your eyes, and only then the traditional way. Thus, it is often the case that Japanese dishes take the form of characters, animals or colourful patterns.
Japanese cuisine is relatively simple, and the dishes themselves are quick to make. Some of the more complicated dishes certainly do require more time, such as sushi, which requires the knowledge of Japanese cooking traditions. However, making a simple meal consisting of rice and an udon dish (e.g. vegetables in sesame sauce) does not require high cooking skills or a lot of time. If you are in a rush and a refined Japanese multicourse meal is out of the question, you can always opt for its simpler version and choose one of Japanese OYAKATA instant dishes, inspired by the cuisine of the Land of the Rising Sun.