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About This Quiz
Japan is home to some of the best foods in the world.
From silky tofu to pungent natto, Japan is a land of delicious flavors and inventive combinations of foods that have been delighting people from all over the globe for decades. Sushi and sashimi are now commonplace in Japanese American restaurants, but new foods are cropping up all of the time. We are learning about the restorative and rich broth that makes up miso soup. Mochi has entered the world stage as a dessert to watch, and matcha is gaining prominence as a hot new flavor.
Who remembers those salty bricks of inedible noodles from college that dared to call themselves ramen? Japan has the real thing: silky wheat noodles that soak up flavorful sauce and pair perfectly with vegetables and meat.
Speaking of meat, Japan has some of the best beef in the entire world. Anyone who has ever drooled over a Kobe steak knows that the Japanese take the quality of their beef very seriously. They are truly a cut above the rest.
Japan is a land of layered flavors, unique foods and a culinary culture that is proud and varied. Who knows it backward and forward? It's time to find out!
Brown rice
Shinmai rice
Shinmai rice refers to the first crop of the season and is a special kind of rice in Japan. It is generally plumper and more delicately flavored than other types of rice and is usually eaten plain.
Jasmine rice
Curry rice
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Tofu
Tofu is prepared in a number of different ways in Japan. You can have fresh tofu, tofu that is deep-fried or firmly pressed tofu. This plant-based protein is used in so many different dishes, all over the world.
Takoyaki
Matcha
Natto
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Tamagoyaki
Chirashi-don
Japanese curry
Japanese curry is often served over rice, but it can also be a welcome accompaniment for udon or soba noodles. The curry is deeply flavored with vegetables and includes a rich sauce.
Onigiri
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Yakitori
Yakitori is skewers of chicken that are grilled over coals and infused with special spices. These skewers make the perfect street dish and are a very popular late-night food in Japan.
Natto
Onigiri
Sashimi
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Oden
Udon
Udon noodles are thick, made out of wheat flour. Udon is generally served with a delicate broth and makes a hearty but simple meal. Some people think that a steaming bowl of udon is the best way to cure a cold.
Umeboshi
Gyoza
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Edamame
Edamame is essentially unripe soybeans, often served in their pods. The beans or pods are generally steamed and served piping hot with a lot of salt. Edamame is an addictive and delicious snack that is now enjoyed worldwide!
Mochi
Takoyaki
Chawanmushi
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Monaka
Sukiyaki
Oden
Oden is a one-pot Japanese meal that combines all of the good stuff together in a flavorful dashi broth. Each family has a different recipe, and you can find anything from fish cakes to hard-boiled eggs in a bowl of oden.
Unagi
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Tamagoyaki
Tamagoyaki is unlike any omelet that you have ever seen unless you've wandered through the streets of Tokyo. The cooked egg is rolled and formed into a rectangular shape for a unique taste and texture.
Natto
Onigiri
Sukiyaki
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Shabu shabu
Tonkatsu
Sukiyaki
Donburi
Donburi is the Japanese name for a rice bowl topped with a combination of vegetables and meat. You can use just about anything to make an amazing donburi, as long as the ingredients are cooked low and slow together.
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Mochi
Mochi are small cakes made from glutinous rice. They are sometimes served plain, but they can also contain all sorts of different delicious fillings. They make a perfect on-the-go food!
Wagyu
Umeboshi
Gyoza
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Soba
Udon
Ramen
Real ramen is a thing of beauty. The thin noodles are wheat based and light enough to soak up some of the flavorful broth. Ramen is served with a variety of vegetables and meats.
Unagi
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Yakitori
Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a giant savory pancake that can be loaded up with virtually any ingredient you can imagine. They vary depending on the region of Japan you're visiting, but all of them are tasty!
Tamagoyaki
Mentaiko
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Nikujaga
Nikujaga is a savory dish that will totally stick to your ribs. This regional favorite is generally a combination of onion, potatoes and meat. Potatoes make up the bulk of the dish, making it filling and tasty.
Sukiyaki
Miso soup
Natto
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Mochi
Tarako
Tarako is salted cod roe. It's a uniquely Japanese dish that has been embraced in other parts of the world. Many sushi restaurants will serve a variation of tarako on their menus.
Sashimi
Sukiyaki
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Wagashi
Dried squid
Dried squid is a popular snack in many coastal Southeast Asian countries, including Japan. Sometimes referred to as dried cuttlefish, this food makes a salty and tasty snack that will cut through cravings.
Natto
Shabu shabu
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Wagyu
Wagyu is simply any cattle that is raised in Japan. Kobe beef is a special strain of Wagyu, and it is one of the most prized proteins in the entire world. Wagyu is known for being exceptionally flavorful and having an amazing texture.
Edamame
Gyoza
Oden
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Onigiri
Sushi
Sashimi
Pickled ginger
Pickled ginger, called gari, is generally served alongside sushi or sashimi. It is crunchy and delicious and has a slightly spicy, tart flavor. Ginger is also very good for your overall health, so chow down on it!
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Soba
Soba noodles are thinner than their counterpart, udon noodles. Soba are thin buckwheat strands that can be enjoyed hot or cold. They are generally served with sauce or as a bed for veggies or meat.
Gyoza
Unagi
Wasabi
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Matcha
Wagashi
Azuki ice cream
Azuki ice cream is a cold treat made with red beans and flavored with plenty of sugar. Red beans are used to make many desserts and fillings in Japan, while they're usually reserved for savory dishes in the West.
Natto
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Yaki-Imo
Yaki-imo is a roasted Japanese sweet potato that is famously eaten in Japan during the winter. it is a comforting and flavorful dish that makes the perfect snack for people on the go.
Tarako
Nikujaga
Wasabi
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Mochi
Wagyu
Gyoza
Gyoza are popular all over Southeast Asia, where they go by many different names. The general concept is the same, however. Basically, gyoza are dumplings that are boiled or fried and served with a tasty sauce.
Onigiri
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Nukazuke
Nukazuke is actually a technique for pickling vegetables, which involves curing them in rice bran. It is the perfect preparation for just about any vegetable you can imagine, including eggplant, cucumber and radishes.
Wagashi
Takoyaki
Soba
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Udon
Sukiyaki
Sukiyaki is a favorite Japanese dish that is cooked right at the table. Thin strips of beef simmer away in a flavorful broth studded with vegetables until it's ready to be eaten by the guests.
Wagyu
Mochi
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Nikujaga
Okonomiyaki
Mochi
Japanese sweet roll
The Japanese sweet roll, or kashi pan, is a bakery delicacy. There are several different variations, and they can be filled with just about anything, from raisins to red bean paste.
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Chawanmushi
Chawanmushi is a savory custard that is popular in Japan. It is thick, decadent and filled with a vast variety of scrumptious ingredients. Each region has its own version of this dish.
Unagi
Sushi
Tarako
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Sashimi
Sushi
Sushi is one of the most popular dishes in the world, and it comes in seemingly infinite varieties. Although sushi usually includes raw fish, that's not always the case. Eel, for example, is always cooked, even when served as sushi.
Natto
Mochi
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Natto
Natto is certainly an acquired taste. It is made of fermented soybeans and served with onion, soy sauce and mustard. The flavor is strong, and the beans can be on the slimy side, but people totally swear by it!
Tarako
Yakitori
Gyoza
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Okonomiyaki
Edamame
Sukiyaki
Shabu shabu
Shabu shabu is the ultimate dish for a crowd because it is interactive and delicious. You cook thin slices of meat and vegetables in a communal hot pot of water, then eat them with a variety of different condiments.
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Mochi soup
Red bean soup
Miso soup
Miso soup is made by stirring miso paste into dashi flavored broth. It is generally eaten with scallion greens and tiny cubed pieces of tofu, although it can contain mushrooms or other extras as well.
Matcha soup
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Green tea
Green tea has been a staple of Japanese cuisine for centuries. This good-for-you beverage is delicious served hot or cold, and green tea is even used to flavor many Japanese dishes and desserts.
Earl grey tea
Iced coffee
Red bean milkshake
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Mochi
Takoyaki
Takoyaki is one of the most beloved foods in all of Japan. Every stall has its own variety, but all contain the same basic ingredients. Lighter than air dough is filled with minced octopus, scallions and ginger.
Chawanmushi
Gyoza
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Pickled ginger
Sashimi
Mochi
Wasabi
Wasabi is the bright green spicy condiment that is the perfect companion for sushi or sashimi. It is often served alongside soy sauce and pickled ginger for a completely satisfying flavor experience.
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Onigiri
Onigiri is rice balls, often with a filling, that are wrapped in nori. The result is an easy to eat, quick snack that is perfect for people on the go. Onigiri totally hits the spot.
Soba
Waygu
Gyoza
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Chawanmushi
Nukazuke
Vegetable tempura
Vegetable tempura is comprised of vegetables that are thinly sliced, coated in tempura batter and deep fried. It is generally served piping hot, with a side of soy sauce for dipping.
Yaki-Imo
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Kaiseki
Kaiseki is the name for a multi-course Japanese dinner that really allows the chef in question to show off their skills. It is usually reserved for formal occasions and events.
Wagyu
Sashimi
Gyoza
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Natto
Umeboshi
Umeboshi are salted pickled Japanese plums. They have a distinct flavor that might be a little off-putting for some. Many Japanese people love the contrast of umeboshi, and it's considered to have health benefits.
Sukiyaki
Kashi pan
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Wagashi
Wagashi are delicate treats, often served with Japanese tea. They are usually handcrafted and very beautiful. Wagashi are generally made with bean paste and echo the traditional flavors of Japan.
Oden
Wasabi
Edamame
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Yaki-Imo
Nikujaga
Tonkatsu
Tonkatsu is a breaded and fried pork cutlet — the ultimate comfort food from Japan. It is generally served with a savory sauce and a slaw, as well as a heaping serving of rice.
Tamagoyaki
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Unagi
Unagi is a type of Japanese freshwater eel that is often included as a major protein in many Japanese dishes. It can be fried, steamed, used in stir-fries or eaten by itself. Unagi is a staple of Japanese cuisine!
Soba
Dried squid
Donburi
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Gyoza
Mochi
Sushi
Sashimi
Unlike sushi, sashimi does not include rice. The dish features slices of raw fish or perhaps other raw meat, and it is served with the same accompaniments as sushi, such as pickled ginger and wasabi.
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