Popular Rice Dishes in Japan

Rice has been the staple diet of the Japanese people for 2000 years now. Even if Japanese cuisines have seen variety over the past few years the preference for rice dishes has not decreased at all. Moreover it is embedded so deeply in the Japanese social life that it is considered the essence of the culture.

The type of rice served in Japanese table is of the Japonica variety. It is short grained variety with a fine texture and stickiness associated with it. The rice served in the traditional Japanese style is known as Meshi or Gohan. When served in a plate as in the western style, it is called Raisu.

Popular Rice dishes in Japan

  -   The most common dish is the plain Rice Bowl which is served as a side dish for lunch or dinner. A part of the typical Japanese breakfast, it can be taken with area egg and Soya sauce or any other tempting toppings.

  -   Domburi- this is a bowl of cooked rice which can be savored with some other food on top. The toppings generally include chicken, egg, pork, tempura (tendon), chukadon (Chinese style domburi) containing seafood and vegetables.

  -   Sushi- A rice dish which is an integral part of Japan's identity. It consists of sushi rice cooked in sushi vinegar. Some of the sushi types are Nigiri, Gunkan, Norimaki, Temaki which has for toppings fish, squid, dried seafood, vegetable.

  -   Onigiri- This dish consists of rice balls made out of cooked rice and then wrapped in nori seaweed. They contain some additional food in the centre of the dish like umeboshi (pickled Japanese apricot), some tuna or salmon. The dish has a slightly salted taste.

  -   Kare Raisu or cooked rice is a rice dish preparation consisting of cooked rice and a curry sauce. Even if curry does not feature as a typical Japanese food item, it is used in the preparation of the dish. Often toppings are added like tonkatsu.

  -   Fried Rice- Though a native dish of China, Fried rice or chahan, has found a place in the Japanese cuisine too. Prepared with vegetables add added with toppings like chicken, egg, negi ( Japanese leek) and a little bit of spice the rice is stir fried and can be served on special occasions.

  -   Chazuke- A Japanese specialty, it consists of a bowl of cooked rice with green tea.

  -   Kayu- This is a watery, juicy rice preparation often resembling oatmeal. Since it is easily digestible, it makes for a perfect diet for sick people.

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