Typical Dishes of Japanese Cuisine 1-Sushi

Today we will talk about the typical dishes of Japanese cuisine. Japan is known around the world for its unique and delicious cuisine, which has captivated travelers and foodies alike. Here are some of the most popular dishes you must try while visiting Japan.

Sushi

Sushi is one of the most emblematic dishes of Japanese cuisine. Its simplicity and elegance make it a delicacy that transcends cultures and borders. It is a preparation of raw fish on a bed of rice seasoned with vinegar, from which the culinary technique receives its name. Although tuna is one of the most popular sushi fish, there are a wide variety of options, including sea urchin, salmon, mackerel, and a host of other seasonal specialties.

In Tokyo, it is possible to find Michelin-starred sushi shops in different districts, although the kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi shops are a great, much more accessible option. There are many types of sushi, such as nigiri, maki, and temaki, each with its own unique preparation technique and flavor.

Nigiri

is a type of sushi consisting of a small ball of rice seasoned with rice vinegar, topped with a thin slice of raw fish or another ingredient such as shellfish, egg, or tofu. The rice is shaped by hand and covered with the chosen ingredient,
usually high quality fresh fish.

Nigiri is one of the most popular types of sushi and is commonly served in Japanese restaurants. In addition to raw fish, nigiri variants can be found with other ingredients, such as smoked eel, sweet egg omelet, cream cheese, and avocado.

Maki

is a type of sushi that consists of a portion of rice seasoned with rice vinegar and other ingredients rolled in a sheet of nori seaweed. The filling can include raw fish, shellfish, vegetables, fruits and other ingredients.

There are different types of maki based on the way they are rolled and the ingredients used. Some popular examples are:

• Hosomaki – Thin maki with a single ingredient inside, such as cucumber, tuna, or salmon.
• Futomaki – thick maki with various ingredients inside, such as cucumber, kanpyo (dried pumpkin), tamagoyaki (sweet egg omelet), tuna, salmon, and avocado.
• Uramaki: inverted maki with rice on the outside and nori seaweed on the inside, stuffed with different ingredients like crab, avocado, and cucumber, and often topped with sesame, tobiko (fish roe), or tempura bits.

Maki is a popular form of sushi and is commonly served in Japanese restaurants around the world.

Temaki

is another type of sushi that is characterized by being cone-shaped and rolled by hand. It consists of a sheet of nori seaweed that is rolled into a cone and filled with seasoned rice and other ingredients, such as raw fish, shellfish, vegetables and fruits.

Temaki is often prepared at the table, and it is common for diners to make it themselves with the ingredients that you prefer It is a popular option for a quick and casual meal.

Some popular variants of temaki include spicy tuna temaki, which is made with spicy tuna and avocado, and tempura temaki, which is made with shrimp tempura and vegetables.

Temaki is a popular sushi choice around the world and can be found in many Japanese and sushi restaurants.