Healthy & Delicious Japanese Food

If you do business around the world, you need to know about the food from different cultures. When travelling, it is also important to know how to make healthy food choices. Here is some important information to know if you are dining in Japan.

The most common appetizer offered in a Japanese restaurant is edamame, which is steamed soybeans that are salted and left in the pod. Edamame is a great choice because it is high in protein, low in calories, and very tasty. Another common choice is yakatori which is skewers of grilled, lean meat and vegetables. This dish is high in protein and nutrient rich due to the vegetables.

Soup is always a good healthy choice in any culture and miso soup is a favorite at most Japanese restaurants. It is a light broth created from a miso (soy) paste with scallions and tofu. Many believe that starting with a broth soup can help one consume less calories during the rest of the meal. Another popular soup choice is Udon noodle soup. This light broth contains noodles, tofu, vegetables, and shiitake mushrooms. Udon noodle soup is very healthy and extremely filling. There are other good choices such as the very nutrient-rich seaweed salad which is made from chopped seaweed, ginger, garlic, cilantro, soy sauce, rice vinegar, scallions, and sesame oil. Although it sounds unusual to most Americans, it is a very tasty salad.

The main meal in Japan usually consists of sushi which is raw fish. The term sushi actually refers to the white rice mixed with rice vinegar and a bit of sugar. In the United States, we use the term sushi for a variety of raw fish items, but in Japan it is good to know the specific names of each type of dish.

* Nigiri is fish draped over balls of rice.

* Maki is fish wrapped in seaweed and rice and then cut into pieces.

* Temaki is fish and rice wrapped up in a seaweed cone.

* Sashimi is raw fish served without rice.

Part of enjoying international cuisine is the ability to understand the menu. With a few simple tips, everyone can enjoy a delicious and healthy Japanese meal. The more you know about different cultures and cuisines the more successful you will be in international business. Being open to learning and trying new experiences is a big asset.