New to the wonderful world of sushi? You’re likely to encounter many sushi-related Japanese words the further you go on your sushi journey, but let’s start with nailing down three of the most basic terms: sushi, sashimi, nigiri. First up: Sushi. Many people see the word “sushi” and think “raw fish” - but sushi is actually defined by its rice, not fish at all! Sushi is a fairly wide umbrella term which means:: A Japanese dish with prepared vinegared rice (usually seasoned furt

Sushi may well be Japan's best-known and best-loved food import globally, but very popular in Japan yet underrated elsewhere is tofu! Of course, tofu is not solely a Japanese food and is found in most Asian cuisines, but it is a very versatile and essential ingredient in households and restaurants in Japan. Tofu is popular year-round, but is thought to be the best in the winter months as the soybean harvesting season comes to an end. As it is made primarily from soybeans, tof

The bento box might just seem like a trendy Japanese meal with a cute presentation, but bento boxes have been a staple of Japanese culinary history for centuries -- about 10 centuries, in fact! The word “bento” is derived from the Chinese word biàndāng, a Southern Song dynasty slang term which means “convenient,” and refers to both the bento meal and the bento box itself. The earliest and most basic iteration of the bento can be traced back to the Kamakura period (1185 to 13

Who doesn’t love tempura? Golden fried with the perfect amount of crunch, yet somehow still light and airy, tempura is absolutely delightful and delicious! Check out these 10 fun facts about this favorite appetizer and side dish below! 1. Classic tempura batter consists of only three simple ingredients: cake flour, eggs, and cold water (sometimes with added ice, or sparkling water instead). 2. Tempura was influenced by and adapted from fritter-cooking techniques, introduced b