January 2023
Dashi, The Conclusive factor of Japanese Cuisines
What is Dashi? Dashi is the soup of “Umami”, which is extracted by boiling or soaking the ingredients in the water.The ingredients for abstracting dashi are bonito flakes, Kombu (sea cabbage) and dried fish etc.Umami factor is also included not only in Japanese ingredients ,but also commonly used in different kinds of food around the world, like cheese, tomatoes, and bacon.Umami is becoming a kind of buzz word for cooking world.(You can see the explanation of Umami on the website of Ajianomoto as below.) It is indispensable for Miso soup, Udon, Nabe (One pot dishes), and boiled food called “Nimono” in Japanese. How to make Kombu Dashi( Dashi of sea cabbage) […]
Hyakunin-Isshu, The Sentimental Poems of The Ancient Japanese Becoming Popular
Hyakunin-Isshu is the name of the anthology of 100 poems selected by Fujiwara no Teika in 1235. Teika is considered one of the greatest poets in Japanese history. These are popular because of a traditional card game named "Karuta".
Zoni , the good luck food eaten at New Year’s
Zoni is Traditional New Year's soup, the principal ingredient of which is Mochi(rice cake) .
Mochi has long been thought to bring good fortune, and Zoni is the most auspicious food eaten at New Year's.
Hatsumoude, The first visit to a Shrine during the New Year
Hatsumoude is the word used to refer to a person's first visit to a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple during the New Year.