Premium Sushi, Still a Japanese Specialty, Expands Globally
In the vibrant culinary landscape of Japan, two dishes stand out as national treasures - ramen and sushi. Each region boasts its unique take on these beloved dishes, offering a culinary adventure for every food lover.
Sapporo, nestled in the northern island of Hokkaido, is renowned for its miso ramen, while Kitakata in Fukushima prefecture is famous for its thick, curly noodles and soy sauce-based broth. Fukuoka, located on the island of Kyushu, is home to Hakata ramen, characterised by its thin noodles and a white broth made from boiling pork bones.
Ramen, a significant part of Japanese cuisine, is distinct from the instant soup packets popular in the U.S. The dish is served with various toppings such as spring onions, strips of pork, boiled eggs, fish cakes, and pickled plums. The broth typically has a chicken or pork stock base, with other ingredients added to deepen the flavour. It is customary to eat ramen with chopsticks and use a spoon for the broth, avoiding the use of a fork.
Ramen is traditionally eaten quickly, often in standing-room-only ramen shops. On the other hand, sushi, a quintessential Japanese dish, has evolved from its practical origins as a means of preserving fish with fermented rice.
Sushi chefs, or itamae, undergo elaborate and sometimes decades-long training to master precision knife skills and an encyclopedic knowledge of fish. The finest sushi offerings and itamae can still be found in Japan, particularly in Tokyo, Osaka, and Toyama. In Toyama, perched on the Sea of Japan's Toyama Bay, nearly every ingredient is at its fingertips for some of the country's finest sushi.
The main types of sushi include nigiri, chirashizushi, maki, uramaki, and temaki. When eating sushi, use chopsticks for sashimi and pick up nigiri with your hands. Dip only the fish side of nigiri to prevent the rice from soaking up too much. Between types of sushi, have a bit of ginger to cleanse the palate and prepare for the next delicacy.
Osaka is the birthplace of hakozushi, sushi that's layered, pressed in a wooden box, and then cut into slices. To enjoy a sushi meal, one can head to a sushi restaurant (sushi-ya) and sit at the sushi bar for a view of the chef at work or interaction. Tokyo, known for its world-class chefs and fresh seafood from all over the globe, also offers a wealth of sushi experiences.
While the most famous sushi chefs outside Tokyo are not extensively detailed, culinary regions like Kyoto and areas near Mount Fuji are known for their sushi culture. Kobe and Kyoto, in particular, are renowned for their culinary highlights, but specific tables and individual chef names were not mentioned in the given data.
Ramen and sushi, each with their regional variations, offer a captivating exploration of Japan's rich culinary heritage. Whether you're in Sapporo, Kitakata, Fukuoka, or any other city, these dishes promise an unforgettable gastronomic journey.
