How Well Do You Know Japanese Cuisine?

By: Kennita Leon
Image: Wiki Commons by Think Draw

About This Quiz

Japanese cuisine has been developed for years, and we mean centuries. Each dish is dependant on what is available seasonally and may consist of different kinds of fish or vegetables, depending on the time of the year. This cuisine relies heavily on rice, noodles, vegetables, fish and of course, various kinds fo broths. And while a lot of the food is cooked, many are also served raw. 

Like many other cultures, the Japanese have adopted favorites from all over the world and have put their own spin on it, to make the meals theirs. This includes, but is not limited to curry rice from India, spaghetti from Italy and gyoza (also known as jiaozi) from China. But there is one dish that the Japanese have given to the world that no one else can take credit for: the delicious, fully-flavored sushi.

All the food that we've mentioned (and more) will be shown to you in this quiz. Will you know the difference between sashimi and an actual sushi roll, the difference between gyoza and miso, or the difference between soba and yakiniku? Show us that you're an expert by properly identifying all these Japanese foods. 

Sushi is one of the most famous Japanese dishes in the world. This delicacy, which has existed since ancient times, is made up of raw fish and rice enhanced with vinegar. There are many variations of sushi such as maki and sashimi.

In the 16th century, when Portuguese soldiers arrived in Japan, they brought with them a recipe named "peixinhos da horta" which is now known as Tempura. This is a dish created by deep frying battered fish and vegetables, which is then served with a sauce.

Ramen noodles is a popular dish that is sold in a variety of flavors. Chicken flavored ramen was first sold, followed by other variations to suit just about anyone: seafood, pork and even beef.

Miso soup is noted for its simple, delicious taste. This soup is made with dashi stock and miso paste, with ingredients such as tofu, pork or clams added upon preference or availability. Miso is usually served alongside another dish.

Sashimi refers to any type of raw food; it existed long before rice was added to sushi to create the dish we now know and love. Seafood sashimi is most popular and has different types such as sake and maguro.

Edamame is premature salted soybeans that are usually steamed then served at bars in Japan, known as Izakaya. This vegetarian-friendly snack is rich in fiber and contains a healthy dose of iron.

Soba noodles are buckwheat noodles that are easily prepared and served in a variety of dishes. Mori soba refers to cold soba noodles while Toshikoshi Soba is a special dish that is consumed on New Year's Eve.

Mochi is a Japanese rice cake that is usually eaten as part of the festivities for the new year. In January 2018, two people in Japan died after choking on this rice cake, which is said to be delicious but ‘chewy and sticky.'

Okonomiyaki, also known as Japanese pancake, is a savory meal made from simple ingredients. Flour, meat, noodles, cabbage, and other vegetables are cooked together in a frying pan then topped with various condiments.

Kareraisu, more commonly known as Japanese curry rice, is often made with vegetables, meat, rice, onions, potatoes and of course- curry. This dish is enjoyed across Japan.

Udon is a thick, noodle made from wheat flour and usually served with soy sauce. Though it is a versatile food, it is usually prepared quite simply with dashi broth to create a popular dish called Kake Udon.

Sukiyaki is a one-pot dish with a mix of vegetables and meat, with beef as the popular preference. It is prepared in an iron pan and served with a warishita sauce.

Kani is the Japanese term for ‘crab' that is often referred to as imitation crab. Many foods are made from or with Kani, such as Kani salad, soup, and surimi.

Natto is a dish created with fermented soybeans. It has a sharp taste that is loved by some who appreciate its unique flavor while others dislike it. Natto is often served with wasabi or green onions.

Gyudon or ‘beef bowl' is a beef dish with rice, onions and soy sauce. This dish has grown in popularity around the world and it is sold by Japanese fast food chains such as Yoshinoya.

Okonomiyaki is made when a mix of egg and wheat flour is added to a combination of vegetables, seafood, and meat. This dish is prepared on a hot plate and topped with mayonnaise and a special sauce.

Karaage is much like Japanese fried chicken; the meat is fried after being seasoned with spices, starch and soy sauce. Other variations are made with tartar or sweet/spicy sauce.

Pufferfish or Fugu is a poisonous fish that is carefully prepared to avoid contamination. This expensive fish is prepared by removing the lethal organs, such as the ovaries and liver.

Yuba is tofu skin, which, by itself, isn't exactly tasty. However, when used in breakfast dishes or added to sandwiches and wraps, it proves to be both versatile and delicious.

Yakitori, which means "grilled chicken" is a type of food that is sold at many restaurants in Japan. This dish is prepared by skewing the meat and then grilling it over a charcoal fire.

Tofu is a condensed form of soy milk that is widely used worldwide. It is popular among vegetarians as a meat alternative and it is also favored for its high calcium and protein.

This Japanese snack is made of puffed corn and it is sold in several flavors including chocolate, lemon squash, and vegetable salad. Umaibo means "great tasting stick."

Gyoza are dumplings that are fried and steamed then served with a dip made of ingredients such as vinegar soy sauce and oil. Gyoza dumplings are usually stuffed with meat, onions, and vegetables.

Somen is a common dish that consists of extremely thin, chilled wheat flour noodles that come with a sauce used for sipping. The dish, which is served on top of ice, is seasonal and is eaten by people who want to stay cool when it's unusually hot.

Robatayaki generally refers to a restaurant and a cooking method rather than actual food. At Robatayaki restaurants, food is prepared over hot charcoal and served with a horikaeshibera (wooden spoon).

Omelet rice, known as Omurice, is yōshoku dish; this means that it incorporates western methods of cooking. This type of omelet is made up of fried rice and topped with ketchup.

Takoyaki is another snack some believe to have originated from Osaka in Kansai, Japan. This dish is made with fried balls of octopus and adorned with condiments and sauce.

Motsunabe is another winter dish, this time popular on the Japanese island of Kyushu. This soup made from animal guts-usually pork of beef offal.

Oden is a popular winter meal consisting of a variety of foods such as fishcakes and even eggs, which are prepared in dashi broth. It is often sold by roadside vendors and prepared in a hotpot.

These Japanese rice crackers, or "senbei" as they are called, is a toasted rice snack that can be savory or sweet. Shoyu Senbei (made with soy sauce) is one popular type of this dish.

Ikayaki is a fast food dish in Japan involving tentacles- specifically squid. The grilled or baked squid is served with soy sauce and enjoyed by many.

Wakame is a seaweed salad prepared with sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, and other ingredients. It is very nutritious, due to high levels of vitamins and antioxidants.

Chawanmushi is a steamed egg custard dish that is actually eaten with a spoon, in comparison to many Japanese dishes which are not. It usually contains ingredients such as mushrooms, dashi and a Japanese fish cake called kamaboko.

Shiokara is a dish with small seafood bits (usually squid) that is seasoned with salt, and then wasabi and shichimi are added. It is very popular in Japan and in various Japanese restaurants around the world.

Melon pan is a type of Kashipan bun that is popular in Japan and other parts of Asia. This favorite sweet treat gets its name from its appearance which resembles the rough surface of a melon.

Vegetables, pork, and seafood are cooked together with noodles to create a soup called Champon. It is a specialty of the Nagasaki city in Japan and is said to be cost effective as well.

"Rice bowl" also known as donburi in Japan, is a dish with cooked rice at the bottom with either beef chicken or grilled fish on top. Mixed vegetables and a sauce are also added to the mix. Katsudon (a pork dish) and Kaisendon (seafood) are two types of donburi.

This traditional Samurai soup is often eaten during New Year's celebrations in Japan. Zoni is prepared with meat vegetables and rice cakes known as mochi.

Kashipan is a sweet bun that is sold at bakeries and local stores. Curry pan and anpan are varieties of kashipan that offer different flavors and ingredients.

Japanese are innovative people that have devised several ways of preparing rice. Chazuke is one of them, where the rice is immersed in green tea and soy, with added vinegar and eggs.

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