Choosing Sake for Sushi: Why Junmai Daiginjo Is Not Always Better
The most expensive Junmai Daiginjo is not automatically the best sake for sushi. Learn what the label means and how to match a glass to the next piece.
JAPANESE FOOD CULTURE
Japanese Food Culture
Explore the traditions, customs, history, and everyday ideas that shape the way food is prepared and enjoyed in Japan.
Latest guides
Seasonal Food Traditions in Japan: Obon Vegetables and Halloween Wagashi
Kabocha becomes tempura, suage, a simmered dish, and Halloween wagashi, while Obon’s cucumber horse and eggplant cow carry a separate symbolic meaning.
Sanma in Japan: How Pacific Saury Changes from Grill to Sushi
Sanma can be grilled with salt, simmered with seasonings, or served as nigiri. Follow how each method changes the aroma, texture, and richness of this autumn fish.
Mochi, Dango, and Warabi Mochi: How Japan’s Chewy Sweets Differ
Mochi, dango, and warabi mochi may all look soft and chewy, but they are made differently. Compare pounded rice, rice-flour dumplings, filled daifuku, and cooling starch-based sweets.
How Matcha Is Made: From Shaded Tencha to the Tea Bowl
Matcha begins as shaded tencha rather than ordinary green tea powder. Follow its journey from the tea field to the bowl, then learn how to judge, choose, store, and whisk it.
Ramen Ordering in Japan: Ticket Machines, Broth Choices, and Common Mistakes
Ordering ramen in Japan can involve a ticket machine, a short line, and a few shop-specific choices. Follow the process from choosing a broth to leaving your seat.
Japanese Tea Types Explained: Sencha, Matcha, Gyokuro, Hojicha, and More
Japanese tea includes far more than matcha. Compare sencha, gyokuro, hojicha, genmaicha, bancha, kukicha, and other major styles by production, taste, appearance, and brewing method.
Bento in Japan: Types, Traditions, and Everyday Etiquette
Bento is a portable Japanese meal packed into a compact container. Learn about homemade bento, ekiben, makunouchi, common foods, buying tips, etiquette, and safe storage.
Teishoku Explained: How Japanese Set Meals Work
Teishoku is a Japanese set meal that commonly combines rice, soup, a main dish, and smaller sides. Learn what to expect, how to order, and how it differs from other Japanese meal formats.
Can You Drink Tap Water in Japan? Safety, Taste, and Dashi
Japan’s tap water is generally safe, but water source, building systems, local advisories, and mineral composition still matter. A cook explains the practical answer—and a costly dashi mistake.