Japanese cuisine
The Japanese geography influences the development of its society and culture in many ways. Its location in relation to other nations has an effect on intercultural influences, its size affects demography, the development of social structures, and its position in the international community. The main religions in Japan do not greatly affect the food culture but however, Buddhist and Shinto believers will not eat meat or any product from an animal, no butter, milk, eggs, fish or other foods produced by an animal. They subsist mainly on soya products, veg and veg by products, there are alot of veg in Japan with a good nutritional base, and they are able to live on the foods available for them.its climate influences its agriculture and styles of living. Because of how Japan is a form of countless islands, it would be obvious that fishing and seafood would be very popular in the culture and cuisine in Japan. This is evident in the many popuar and traditional delicacies in Japan.
Traditional foods
Sukiyaki is prepared right at the table by cooking
thinly sliced beef together with vegetables, tofu and vermicelli. Tempura is
food deep-fried in vegetable oil after being coated with a mixture of egg,
water and wheat flour. Among the ingredients used are prawns, fish in season
and vegetables. Sushi is a small piece of raw seafood placed on a ball of
vinegared rice. The most common ingredients are tuna, squid and prawns.
Cucumber, pickled radish and sweet egg omelet are also served. Sashimi is
sliced raw fish eaten with soy sauce. Kaiseki Ryori is regarded as Japan's most
exquisite culinary refinement. Consisting mainly of vegetables and fish with a
seasoning base of seaweed and mushrooms, the dishes are characterized by their
refined savor. Yakitori is made up of small pieces of chicken meat, liver and
vegetables skewered on a bamboo stick and grilled over hot coals.
Traditional customs
In Japan, some restaurants and private homes
have low tables and cushions on the floor, rather than Western style chairs and
tables. These are usually found on tatami floors. In Japan, you say
"itadakimasu" ("I gratefully receive") before eating, and
"gochisosama (deshita)" ("Thank you for the meal") after
finishing the meal. The proper usage of chopsticks is the most fundamental
element of Japanese table manners. Some table rules include:
- Blowing your nose in public, and especially at
the table, is considered bad manners.
- It is considered good manners to empty your
dishes to the last grain of rice.
- Talking about toilet related and similarly
unappetizing topics during or before a meal is not appreciated by most people.
- It is considered bad manner to burp.
- After eating, try to move all your dishes back
to the same position they were at the start of the meal. This includes
replacing the lids on dishes and putting your chopsticks on the chopstick
holder or back into their paper slip.
The difference in food culture to Australia
In both Japan and Australia, cultures of food are gradually
changed, but original culture or custom for eating is kept now. There are many
sorts of foods and we can choose. It is the similarity about foods. There are
two main differences. One is about cost. It is said that Japan especially Tokyo
is expensive, whereas foods are especially expensive in Australia. Another is
about stable food. People eat rice as staple food in Japan. In contrast, people
eat bread in Australia. However, many people eat rice like Japanese rice, so
staple foods are changed and not determined.
the impact on Australian cuisine
With restaurants in Australia, it is quite common to find
Japanese restaurants that are extremely abundant in traditional dishes. In
addition, there is a wide range in Japanese sushi restaruants which is the most
popular and well known Japanese dish in the world today and is also evident in the
U.S and in the United Kingdom. There is
an estimate 10,000 international sushi restauruants and over 1000 of them are
located in Australia. This has many affects such as the demonstration of
another culture and it also boosts the economy.
Reference list
- http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2351.html
- http://www.japantrends.com/tag/sns/
- http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2005.html
- http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/y1669e/y1669e0b.htm
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C7xXRPTSHk
- http://www.japantrends.com/tag/sns/
- http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2005.html
- http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/y1669e/y1669e0b.htm
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C7xXRPTSHk