Japanese Food: What Is Japanese Cuisine?

Japanese food is a very diverse cuisine that is reflective of the different regions of Japan. Japanese food is also often reflective of traditions within the culture. Many people associate Japanese food with sushi, but there is more to it than that.

Traditional Japanese food is usually based off steamed white rice, which can be served with miso soup and other side dishes like fish or pickled vegetables as well as with a main protein and sauce. Instead of rice, many Japanese dishes are noodle-based; soba noodles and udon noodles are the most popular. Traditionally, noodles are eaten as a main dish and do not come with any sides.

Japanese food is rich in regional specialties. In the Kanto region, Monja-yaki is a very popular, pancake dish while in Hokkaido, uni, or sea urchin, and other types of seafood dishes are most popular.

There are other regional specialties of Japanese food, including dishes that come from Okinawa, Tohoku, Kansai and Chugoku, Chubu, and Kyūshū.