Japanese food, once little more than a niche occupant in the greater scope of American cuisine, has become increasingly popular in recent years. The harmony of flavors and lightness emphasized in the typical Japanese dish appeals to the palettes of many in the United States, where heavy and often deep fried foods have long dominated the market. People are afraid that ethnic cuisine will be too bland or tasteless. This is far from reality! The intent of this article is to introduce readers to a variety of different Japanese dishes, that they might go out and try something new without fear of what they'll be eating.

Domburi: A bowl of rice with a topping is called Domburi. A wide range of toppings is popular in Japan. Many have successfully crossed the Pacific to reach American restaurants. Oyakodon (which uses both chicken breast and egg as its topping) is one example. Gyudon, another type of domburi that is rich in beef, is becoming more popular in Japan. Those of you who are especially outgoing tasters might like to sample unadon, a type of domburi wherein strips of grilled eel coated in a thick soya sauce are used to top the rice bowl.

Ramen: This soup is a staple of American college students' diets for many years. Wildly popular around the world, ramen is to the Japanese what a burger and fries are to your average United States native. Ramen can be made with many Best Sushi Wailea different bases, but its most distinctive feature is its long, thin noodles. To complement these noodles, you can add dumplings or pork, miso (fermented bean paste), and soya sago. Interesting to note is that ramen was originally created in China rather than Japan. However, the dish is almost always associated today with Japan.

Sashimi: Many people mistake this dish for sushi when they first learn about Japanese cuisine. Although it is presented artistically, the truth remains that sashimi, which is raw fish, is still a dish. This fact turns many an American's stomachs sour. There are many types of sashimi, with the most popular being tuna. It is important to pay attention to the aroma when eating this dish. The fish used to prepare sashimi must be exceptionally fresh and as such, it should be devoid of any fishy scent.

Sushi: One of the most well-known Japanese dishes, sushi is very popular in trendy places throughout the United States. There are far too many options to mention all the variations. To be considered sushi the dish must contain sushi-grade rice. Norimaki (or sushi rolls) is the most widely recognized type of sushi. These rolls contain sushi rice and various sorts of seafood rolled in sheets of dried seaweed. Norimaki may also contain vegetables.

Tempura: This Japanese-inspired dish is also very popular. Tempura is a type of finger food. It consists of various types of seafood or vegetables that are fried in a special batter. It is delicious and crisp without being too heavy, which is what is often the case in deep-fried American cuisine. There are far too many ingredients to mention in tempura and the flavors can vary from one restaurant.

The five listed dishes will provide a tasty introduction to Japanese cuisine to novices. Enjoy!