MJ: Aaaaah, I can't tell you how many times I've heard "You don't eat fish but you're going to Japan?". As they say, if I had a dollar for every time... Admittedly, Japanese people do eat a lot of seafood (sort of). The first time I came to Japan when I was 15 I did actually eat some fish, but stopped because I couldn't handle the clams in miso soup at 5.40am on my very first morning being in Japan.
But today's blog is a look at the food misconceptions that foreigners (Aussies particularly) have about Japanese food.
- All Japanese people eat is fish and seafood It is well documented that the reason Japanese people have such a high life-expectancy is because of their healthy diet of fish, seafood, seaweed and rice. And sure, they probably do eat more seafood than us. But you know what? The islands of Okinawa are where most of the old people are, and they aren't ethnically the same as mainland Japanese. Japanese people have an inflated life expectancy because there are many people not reported to be dead so their family can keep collecting their pension so it looks like the Japanese people are much older than they are. Modern Japanese families eat lots of foods from lots of countries, just like us. AND - I can live with a Japanese family and not really interrupt their food habits by not eating fish, as long as I can handle fish stock as a base for some soups.
- All Japanese fish is eaten raw Enough said. Although a lot of Japanese fish can be enjoyed raw, there is a lot you wouldn't want to. And most often it is cooked. Only the good quality (read: expensive) fish can be eaten without cooking. Often used for stock, and added flavours, or grilled.
- Teriyaki Chicken is authentic Japanese My mum loves Japanese food. And loves teriyaki chicken. She is probably very likely to buy it at the food court if she ever needs to have lunch. But guess what? You would NEVER find it at a restaurant in Japan. Teriyaki is the sauce that Japanese mum makes when she only has the basic ingredients in her house (soy sauce, mirin, sugar、cooking sake). And she probably wouldn't put it on chicken. But fish. Maybe you can find it at a Japanese pub, but not likely. Definitely at McDonald's - the teriyaki burger is a favourite here.
- Sushi in Australia is real Some of the sushi you can buy in Australia is like Japanese sushi. Like what you get at Jaws Kaiten sushi is fairly authentic. But. Chicken in sushi is crazy. When I told Nico that most places in Australia has chicken in, she laughed. Like a lot. And that roll sushi is more common - again, laughing. Roll sushi is not so common - eaten a couple of times a year for special occasions.
- Japanese food is all healthy Don't make me laugh! Soooooo much of modern Japanese food is not so healthy. The most commonly eaten food is so often deep fried, and done in breadcrumbs. Katsu (crumbed, fried pork), karaage (deep fried chicken), Korokke (deep fried creamy stuff), ebi-fry (deep fried crumbed prawns) - just about everything. And most of these can often be eaten over a very large plate of rice.
- Japanese people don't like red meat Again, oh so silly! I admit, I was guilty of this one once. But oh I have learnt! Japanese people LOVE meat. As in, LOVE meat. Two of the biggest, most famous, most popular meals in Japan are yaki-niku, and shabu-shabu. Yaki-niku is when you barbecue lots of different meats at your own little barbecue, and eat straight from the plate. Done in bite size pieces, but by god you end up consuming a lot. Usually done at a restaurant, but can be done at home with meat packs sold at most butchers/supermarkets. Shabu-shabu is anther meat only meal. Thinly cut mouthful sized beef or pork waved through boiling water or flavoured broth, and eaten straight away.
