What Makes a Japanese Meal?

When looking to cook an authentic Japanese dish, it is important to understand the different elements that may typically make up a traditional dish. Unlike in the Western world, where you may enjoy a multiple-course meal, involving starters, mains and desserts, it is more common in Japan for a single course, comprised of many different dishes served at the same time. Therefore, the main parts of the meal and any smaller appetisers will be served at once, although a dessert course may be served separately. We take a look at the items that are likely to be found on a Japanese dinner table.

Rice

As in many East Asian cuisines, rice is one of the most common ingredients used in meals. In Japan, it is an absolute staple, and there may even be multiple dishes on the table that use rice as an ingredient. It is common to have a simple bowl of steamed white or brown rice on the table, although this can also be mixed with barley or seasoned with vegetables for added flavour and texture.

There are a number of toppings that can be added to this rice. Plain rice is often topped with nori, which are sheets of seasoned seaweed. Alternatively, a special seasoning, known as furikake, can be added. This tends to be made of a combination of dried vegetables, seaweed, egg or sesame seeds. A wet seasoning, called tsukudani, can also be added to rice, and this is made of seaweed, kelp, or other assorted seafood.

Soup

The next meal staple for Japanese dinners is soup. Soup will be served with more or less every Japanese meal. The most common soup type enjoyed in Japan is miso soup, although clear dashi soups, filled with vegetables and meat are also popular. Soups will typically be served hot.

Vegetables

While a standard, Western-style salad, made from lettuce leaves may be found on the table, it is more common to serve an assortment of vegetable dishes that have been marinated in vinegar or cooked, like a dish called ohitashi. Other vegetable dishes may be prepared in a dashi broth or steamed and served with soy sauce. Finally, pickled vegetables and fruits are a very common sight on a Japanese dinner table, with pickles such as tsukemono often served with rice.

Seafood and Meat

As an island nation with great access for fishing, it is no surprise that seafood is a key feature of many Japanese meals. Fish can be served grilled or fried, like eel, or raw as sashimi. While fish is certainly common, other proteins can be found in main dishes, including pork, beef and chicken. Dishes containing meat or seafood can also be served as a bigger main meal-style dish when an assortment of vegetables are added in too.

What to drink with Japanese food

There are a number of beverages that can be enjoyed alongside a traditional Japanese meal. The drink chosen may depend on the time of year – whether it is hot or cold, or how old the drinker is – if the drink is alcoholic! Japanese tea will typically be served hot with a meal, particularly green teas. When the weather is warmer, a cold tea made from barley may be served instead. Sake and Japanese beers are alcoholic sips that can be sampled alongside the feast laid out.

If you’d like to prepare your own Japanese meals, then check out the great range of Japanese foods in the UK that are available at Oriental Mart!