Originally Posted by
Light Samurai
Sorry to take this somewhat off-topic, but are there any "normal" foods in Japan?
I can eat Ramen, any kind of noodles - and COOKED seafood, such a sfish and vegetables - but not raw.
Eating raw fish takes, for many, a paradigm shift in their outlook. Many fish have a very mild, even buttery taste when raw. Others, even when cooked, can be "fishy." I started eating "ethnic" cuisine when very young, so never developed many food phobias. (I do have a problem with bugs, and with whole fish served guts and all.)
Think of it this way; we eat fresh apples and baked apples, raw carrots and steamed carrots, raw milk and boiled milk (puddings, ice cream, etc.) -- so why not raw and cooked fish?
But for the less adventurous, there are many Japanese foods that are easy for most Americans and Europeans to enjoy.
You already mentioned ramen and "any kind of noodles." I'm sure you'd enjoy various kinds of udon (noodle soups with different ingredients).
Yakisoba is a noodle dish that can be made with beef, chicken, pork, or vegetarian.
I really enjoy chicken karaage, which is sort of like KFC Chicken nuggets, only -- IMNSHO -- much better.
Teriyaki can be found all over the place in the USA, from fast food teriyaki chains like Toshi's to cozy little mom and pop Japanese restaurants. (Many of them in the Seattle area are actually run by Koreans, which I like because I can get a side of kimchee.) Beef, chicken, pork, or a combination; skewered or sliced; with rice or with noodles; lots of choices there.
Sukiyaki (Japanese version of beef stew) is one of the most well known Japanese foods over here. Originally a peasant food, it is now popular with all classes even back "home."
Shabu shabu is thinly sliced beef that is cooked in either boiling water or in broth. The Japanese version of fondue, it's fun to have a few friends over and cook it at the table. You can add many different kinds of vegetables to the liquid as accompaniments.
Batayaki means "Butter fried," and I like shrimp batayaki as a side to...
Teppanyaki -- quick-seared meats, shrimp, lobster, vegetables, etc. cooked -- usually -- in a showy fashion. Benihana is one American chain, and there are many others, both chains and single restaurants.
The most famous beef dish, and a specialty of many teppanyaki, is Kobe Beef. Saying it's just "Japanese steak" doesn't do it justice.
The list goes on and on. Lot's of foods to suit the appetite of even the most finicky palate.
Study up and eat well!
Yours in Budo,
---Brian---