RICE

The modern Japanese diet is full of variety. In addition to Japanese food, Western food, Chinese and other ethinic dishes from around the world are popular. Bread and coffee are becoming increasing popular as many salary men eat breakfast on the go, but rice still rules as the staple of the Japanese diet. Japanese rice is the best in the world.

My father in-law eats rice with every meal along with miso soup everyday. He is one of the "last Samurai" generation sticking to the healthy diet of the 1970's.  The younger generation spends less time eating at home and often buy meals from convenience stores As a result less Japanese are eating rice than before.

Rice Dishes

There are hundreds of rice dishes in Japan. I would like to introduce you to some of my favorite ones. Keep in mind that traditional Japanese rice is steamed and pretty much eaten as it is.  Unlike China, Japan has no traditional fried rice dishes. However, Fried Rice ("Chahan") is extremely popular.

Onigiri

Onigiri, known in English as "rice balls" are extremely popular as a take-out lunch. They are easy to prepare, healthy and fill you up. They are really more like triangles and have fillngs. Popular fillings include; pickled plum, roasted cod roe, salted salmon, tuna and chicken mayo. They can be made in minutes. You simply take a ball of rice into the palm and squeeze it into the shape of a triangle.  The rice is usually lightly salted. Wrap it with nori ( dried sea weed) and you have onigiri. The nori makes it easy to handle so you can eat them with your hands.

Domburimono

This is a rice dish served in a bowl.  A large serving of rice rice fills a bowl which is covered with a top layer of either tempura, pork cutlet, broiled eel or grilled chicken. This makes for an easy to prepare delicious cooked meal. My favorite topping is "Oya-ko Don" - chicken and egg.

Kayu

Kayu is similar to porridge, but far more appetizing and can be eaten anytime. It is basically a rice soup dish. Rice is cooked in a large amount of water until it becomes sticky. Vegetables are added and then the dish seasoned with salt. A visit to a doctor introduced me to this dish. I had a nasty throat infection I couldn't shake. The doctor recommend me to eat kayu and also hand wet towels around my appartment. At first I though she was playing some trick on me. The winter in Japan is very dry and recovering from a sore throat can take weeks. Wet towles are good for giving the air moisture. Kayu is easy to eat and digest and is often recommend when one is sick. 

Sekihan

Sekihan is a celebratory red rice dish. It is made by steaming glutinous rice and boiled red beans which turn the rice red. Red is an important symbolic color in Japan assosciated with happiness. It is often served on special occasions throughout the year in Japan, for example, birthdays, weddings and some holidays. Sekihan is usually not sweet be can be depending on where and how it is made. It is usually seasond with sesame seeds and salt.

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