Cuisine In Japan
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Japanese cuisine has gone through different changes due to modernization and the introduction of new cultures into the Japanese style of doing things. There are however, many dishes eaten by the people of Japan that have traditionally stayed the same. Many of the foods considered staples in Japan are rice, noodles, vegetables and fish. There are many traditional dishes that are made with these foods and there are also dishes that made with combinations of these foods that have been changed with the addition of foods from other societies.
In Japan, rice has always been a traditional dish, but at one time only short grain rice was grown. Long grain versions of rice were brought to Japan by the Chinese people. From that time on the Japanese people were able to enjoy both long grain and short grain versions of rice. When rice is not the food of choice, noodles are most often used to replace it. The noodles may be mixed with other foods or eaten by themselves, depending on individual choice.
Centuries ago, meat was actually outlawed in Japanese society. Around the year of 752 A.D., one of Japan’s Empresses, Empress Koken, set out a decree that even banned fishing. While this decree may have seemed harsh at the time, there were others that seemed even more outlandish. During 927 A.D., a regulation was set forth that any member of the Japanese government that participated in the act of eating meat would be deemed as unclean for three days time. This meant that they could not participate in Imperial Court’s Shinto celebrations. In today’s Japanese culture, eating meat is prohibited, except in some religious situations. Japanese sushi is a popular option.
Some of the Japanese cuisine that is eaten today still holds true to Japanese tradition; however, some of the foods have undergone changes due to influences from other cultures and even evolution and need. Two of the main foods eaten during meals are noodles and rice. These foods may be combined with other foods to make a dish or they may be eaten as a side dish with other foods. Foods that have made their way in Japan cookery have normally been given a Japanese style because of the way they are prepared or the foods that are added to them.
