Japan Food Culture

An innovative new take on the travel guide, Rice, Noodle, Fish decodes Japan's extraordinary food culture through a mix of in-depth narrative and insider advice. In this 5,000-mile journey through the noodle shops, tempura temples, and teahouses of Japan, Matt Goulding, cocreator of the enormously popular Eat This, Not That! book series, navigates the intersection between food, history, and culture, creating one of the most ambitious and complete books ever written about Japanese culinary culture from the Western perspective.

Introducing popular Japanese dishes such as "YAKI-TORI"(means 'grilled chicken') and "SUSHI", as well as "IZAKAYA" menus.

This book isn’t your average travel guide—If you’re an “influencer” or looking for your next social media viral moment, DO NOT buy this book. It’s designed specifically for the savvy traveler diving into Japan for the first time. We’re all about soaking up the culture without breaking the bank. Forget shopping sprees; we’re here to create meaningful memories, whether you’re flying solo or with a partner. And let’s face it, at 40 and up, our bodies might not be as sprightly as they used to be, so comfort is important—but that doesn’t mean we’re skimping on adventure...

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the enchanting landscapes and cultural wonders of Japan with our comprehensive travel guide. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto, and the natural splendors of Hokkaido, our guide is your passport to a captivating adventure. Uncover the secrets of Japan's geography, immerse yourself in its rich history, savor the flavors of its diverse cuisine, and explore top destinations that define the essence of this extraordinary country.

In addition to sashimi and sushi, there are various ways of eating and preparing fish, such as grilling, boiling, salting, fermenting, drying, smoking, and pulping into a paste.

A big open-air rock festival is held annually every summer in the small town where I live that is enclosed by mountains. More than ten times as many people as the town’s population visit during the few days of the festival. People all over the country and even from overseas fill up the train station that is usually inactive and quiet. In front of it, an endlessly long line is formed in the heat for the shuttle bus to the concert venue. The attendance trend has changed in recent years. While a young attendance has been down, more and more men in their fifties and sixties come by their own....

Today, though, there are a lot of stylish yakitori places that are like café bars, and it is not unusual for women to dine alone, or for couples to come on dates.

When the cold season comes to Japan, many people start eating Japanese nabe hot pots.

Food samples are the plastic models of food that you see in glass cases outside restaurants.

Chirashi-zushi is a type of sushi made by combining various ingredients with vinegared rice.

Menchi katsu is a popular side dish on par with croquette.

Umeboshi are a type of pickle made from ume (plums) fruits that are dried in the sun after being salted and soaked in ume vinegar.

Chawanmushi is a dish made by mixing various ingredients along with a beaten egg and dashi stock in a small bowl.

Rice has been an important part of the lives of Japanese people since ancient times.

The fundamental components of Japanese meals are rice, soup, and side dishes, with the soup providing both water and salt.

As well as okonomiyaki and takoyaki, there is another type of well-known "flour-based food" called monjayaki.

Tsukemono is a kind of food, mostly vegetables, that has been pickled in salt, rice bran, miso, or something else.

Sweet foods, such as Japanese and Western confectionaries, are known as kanmi (sweets).

Among the many types of egg cuisines, tamagoyaki is said to be one of Japan's unique household dishes. It is also known as atsuyaki tamago.

Made from soybeans, tofu is a type of healthy food that has been eaten as shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) for a great many years. Even now it is a very common food in Japan.