Prince Hotel BlogsOne of the greatest joys of travelling through the world is getting to explore a diverse range of cuisine and flavours. Japan tops the list of many foodies, and it’s not hard to understand why, with its copious and wonderful variety of fresh, delicious foods across the country.
While sushi is one of the country’s most famous culinary exports, and you’ll get to enjoy plenty of it in the Karuizawa restaurant as well as across Japan, there is much more to Japanese cuisine. Read on to find out more about what to discover as a foodie in Japan.
Like most parts of the world, Japan has a diverse culture and geography across the country, and this has resulted in distinctive types of cuisine in each region. Many regions throughout Japan will specialise in particular and unique types of food, and while there are plenty of commonalities you’ll find in most restaurants across the country, it’s worth checking out the more regional-specific treats too.
Miso is one of those ingredients that you’ll find all over the country, yet each region will also have its own distinctive take on it. If you’re staying in Nagano Prefecture, then a visit to a Karuizawa restaurant will reward you with the chance to try out the regional miso, known as Shinsu. With its distinctive colour and flavour, you’ll find it used in a number of local dishes to give them a special twist.
Other regions also show off particular dishes or styles of cooking. Ramen can now be found all over Japan, and indeed the world, but it originates in Sapporo, and a visit here gives you a chance to wander down the famous Ramen Alley, filled with local ramen shops. Osaka, meanwhile, is renowned for its delicious Takoyaki, which are spicy octopus dumplings.
While you might be familiar with sushi in Western restaurants, a visit to Japan will reveal the authentic and rather unique experience of eating sushi, that no serious foodie will want to miss out on.
At the Karuizawa restaurant as well as elsewhere, you can indulge in traditionally made and ultra-fresh sushi. Expect to savour incredibly fresh flavours of fish, with just the sparest dab of condiments, rather than overwhelming every bite with wasabi or soy sauce.
Due to the focus on quality, Japanese sushi may seem to be much more simpler than the many inventive versions you might have come across in Western supermarkets or restaurants. This is due in part to the cultural preference for more subtle, delicate and fresher flavours, rather than bold or quirky combinations or food trends.
If you plan to go out to sample sushi in a Karuizawa restaurant, then be sure to have the right etiquette going in. You’ll often encounter a huge variety of choice, including maki rolls, nigiri and sashimi. Try to eat them quickly and not dawdle over them – you are meant to savour and enjoy the freshness of the flavours, so don’t leave them hanging around on your plate too long. For the same reason, it’s also best to be sparing with your use of soy sauce – a small dab on top of your fish is more than enough, and wasabi has often already been added.
While sushi is one of Japan’s most famous culinary creations around the world, there is much more to the country’s cuisine. When visiting a Karuizawa restaurant, it’s worth exploring the menu to see the full richness of dishes and types of food on offer.
You will often find a huge variety of dishes based around different types of noodles, which each have a unique flavour, consistency and texture, creating very different types of meals. Udon noodles are thick, wheat-based noodles which are often served in hot soups, providing a comforting and satisfying meal, while soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour, and are often found chilled with a dipping sauce, for a delicious fresh flavour.
You’ll also find plenty of rice-based dishes, including spicy Japanese curries. One of the most popular dishes in Japan, curry is often found with vegetables or meat, and filled with a rich mix of chill and curry powder, as well as other more distinctive Japanese ingredients.
Another popular type of cuisine that is worth trying out in Japan is Japanese barbeque. Known as Yakiniku, a meal out enjoying barbeque is a much more social affair in Japan, where raw ingredients are often prepared directly at the table, either by diners themselves, or their servers. Bite size portions of meat are marinated beforehand in a flavoursome combination of spices, before being cooked fresh on a distinctive gridiron.
As well as a huge range of savoury dishes, Japan also has plenty of sweet treats to sample too. While Japanese culture traditionally does not have extremely sweet desserts, you will still find delicately flavoured treats, such as mochi balls, pancakes, and all kinds of other unusual concoctions.
Mochi is a type of rice cake made from glutinous rice, and can often be found with a sweet filling within, made typically from ingredients such as aduki beans, matcha tea or even ice cream. You’ll find these everywhere quite commonly, but where possible, it’s worth trying these freshly made from local kiosks or stores to savour their flavour.
You’ll also commonly find strawberry and cherry blossom flavoured sweets and desserts available, reflecting the country’s huge fondness for these delicate and fragrant flavours. Look for it in ice cream, pastries, cakes, chocolate and more. You’ll find sweet surprises wherever you look.
As well as plenty of traditional Japanese sweets, you will also encounter some very distinctive Japanese takes on popular global snacks out here. Kit Kat bars are enormously popular across Asia and Japan, with many unique flavours exclusive to the region. Look out for delicate matcha tea flavours, cherry blossom and even black sesame seed.
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