What’s on the Menu?

Lots of good Japanese food, it seems! Soba, udon, rice dishes, etc…I’ve passed this restaurant many times, but I’ve never been inside.

At the top, on the left, it says, 「旬の料理」which means, “seasonal food.” Although modern supermarkets and refrigeration allow us to eat food from around the world year round, Japanese cuisine still tends to emphasize seasonal (and regional) dishes.

Japanese Restaurant near Mitaka Station, Tokyo.
Click on the photo to see a larger version.

Japanese food is more than just fish and soy sauce. Not only is traditional Japanese cuisine extremely healthy, but it is really delicious, and the presentation is beautiful. Like most traditional diets, it is based on seasonal availability and dietary needs, (e.g., lighter food in summer, heavier food in winter, etc.) Check out some of the links below to learn more.

• Wikipedia: Japanese Cuisine
• www.japan-guide.com’s section on Japanese Food
• About.com: Japanese Food