Pastries, sweets and tea: Japanese cuisine goes far beyond sushi!

Also known as “Washoku”, Japanese cuisine is loved around the world for its delicate flavors, fresh ingredients and focus on healthy eating.

Recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, Japanese cuisine offers a variety of nutritious dishes with surprising flavors. Discover the main Japanese dishes now, including drinks, desserts and soups!

Sushi: Rice cake seasoned with vinegar and filled with raw fish, seafood or other ingredients. It can be rolled in seaweed (maki) or shaped by hand (niguiri).

Temaki: Seaweed cone filled with rice, raw fish, vegetables and other ingredients. A practical and tasty solution for eating with your hands

Donburi: Rice bowl with various side dishes such as meat, chicken, seafood, vegetables and eggs. A complete and nutritious meal.

Onigiri: rice cake filled with different ingredients, such as salmon, tuna, umeboshi or furikake. A practical solution for snacks or quick meals.

Sashimi: While not technically a dish, sashimi refers to thin slices of raw fish served with soy sauce and wasabi. It is a delicacy appreciated for its simplicity and the quality of the ingredients.

Tempura: Seafood, vegetables or meat is coated in a light, crispy batter and fried until golden brown. Tempura is often served with tempura sauce or lime salt.

Ramen: A soup consisting of broth (usually pork or chicken), noodles, sliced ​​pork, scallions, bamboo shoots, and a hard-boiled egg. There are several regional variations of ramen in Japan.

Udon and Soba: Udon are thick, wheat-based noodles, served hot or cold with broth and various side dishes. Soba is a thin pasta made from buckwheat, also served hot or cold, often accompanied by soy sauce.

Okonomiyaki: A type of Japanese pancake made with a dough of flour and water, combined with cabbage and other ingredients such as meat, seafood or cheese. It is cooked on a griddle and usually served with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise and dried bonito flakes.

Yakitori: Grilled chicken skewers, usually seasoned with tare sauce (made from soy sauce, mirin and sake). Yakitoris can include different parts of the chicken, such as breast, wings or thighs.

Gyoza: Japanese pastries filled with minced meat and vegetables, seasoned with garlic, ginger and soy sauce. They are steamed and then fried until crispy.

Miso shiru: miso soup with tofu, seaweed and other ingredients. A traditional Japanese soup, rich in proteins and nutrients.

Edamame: Soybeans cooked in salted water. A light and healthy option, perfect for snacks or side dishes.

Sunomono: cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame. A light and refreshing salad, perfect to accompany first courses.

Mochi: Glutinous rice cake filled with different flavors, such as red bean, sesame or chocolate. A traditional Japanese dessert, soft and tasty.

Dorayaki: pancake stuffed with red bean paste. A popular Japanese dessert, light and tasty.

Dango: glutinous rice balls skewered on a stick. They can be served with different flavors, such as strawberry jam, kinako (toasted soybean meal) or green tea.

Sake: Fermented alcoholic beverage made from rice. A traditional Japanese drink, with different varieties and flavors.

Matcha: Green tea powder mixed with hot water. A traditional Japanese drink, rich in antioxidants and with a unique flavour.

Ramune: Japanese non-alcoholic drink with a citrus flavor. A refreshing and popular drink in Japan.

Overall, Japanese cuisine is high in nutrients and low in calories and saturated fat. Regular consumption of raw fish provides omega-3, which is important for cardiovascular and brain health.

Fresh vegetables provide vitamins, minerals and fiber, essential for good health. Soy, in turn, is rich in protein and isoflavones, which may help prevent heart disease and some types of cancer.

Japanese cuisine is a great option for those looking for a healthy diet. It’s interesting to try new dishes, explore fresh ingredients and discover the nutritional benefits this rich culture offers.