Sticky, stringy natto being lifted with chopsticks over warm white rice — Japan’s most polarizing breakfast food. In Japan, one food sparks more debate than any other: Natto. People either love it or hate it. There is no middle ground. Japanese people eat natto as a healthy breakfast almost every day. Foreign tourists, however, often … Read more
Shiokara (fermented squid) — Japan’s potent umami-rich seafood delicacy. Japanese food has a wide range of flavors. Among them is a category called shoukouhin (珍味), which means “strange tastes.” One of the most challenging is Shiokara (塩辛). This is a strong, pungent dish made from fermented seafood. It delivers a huge umami explosion. This is … Read more
Fugu sashimi arranged in an intricate chrysanthemum pattern — a true test of the chef’s knife skills. In the refined world of Japanese cuisine, there exists a dish that carries the ultimate stakes: fugu, the pufferfish that contains a toxin 1,200 times more deadly than cyanide. A single mistake in preparation means almost certain death. … Read more
