Sushi is hugely popular around the world today, and is usually associated with modern fine dining. Yet sushi’s earliest, extremely humble origins might come as a surprise to sushi fans in Plano, TX – as well the fact that sushi did not originate from Japan! Today, sushi is nearly synonymous with fresh, raw fish today. However, the very first iteration of sushi was actually a salted, fermented and preserved fish. This prototypical sushi (now called narezushi) was made by salti

With temperatures starting to dip, a soothing bowl of miso soup is truly a delight. Miso is also packed with nutrients, and is a staple food seasoning in Japan with over a thousand years of history! What Is Miso? So what exactly is miso? Miso is a fermented soybean paste, and its basic ingredients are a mixture of: soybeans, the fungus koji, salt, and grains (typically rice or barley). There are over 1,000 different miso producers in Japan, with wide regional differences in t

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

If you haven’t tried mochi yet, you’re missing out! Mochi is a soft, chewy, delicious Japanese rice cake that comes in many different varieties and flavors. It is enjoyed year-round in Japan but especially during the Japanese New Year. A similar type of rice cake is also found in Korean cuisine, called tteok. Mochi is made using a short grain glutinous rice (called mochigome) that is steamed then pounded repeatedly, by traditional mallets or modern machines. The repetitive po

Are you eating sushi the wrong way? Though the “right way” should just be how you best enjoy it, there is traditional sushi eating etiquette that you should follow if you visit a sushi restaurant in Japan. And though sushi in America has evolved quite drastically from sushi in Japan, in our opinion, sticking to a few of these sushi etiquette tips can still absolutely enhance your enjoyment of eating sushi anywhere! How to Eat Sushi Properly: Eat with your hands! Use clean han

The word “superfood” is an ever-popular buzzword, but seaweed is one superfood that doesn’t get the credit it deserves! Seaweed has been an important part of diets in Japan, Korea and China since prehistoric times, and still is to this day. Edible seaweed comes in a multitude of varieties, most of which are high in fiber and low in calories and fat, while also containing a rich supply of antioxidants, nutrients and minerals. Nutrient-Rich Seaweed Certain types of edible seawe