japan's tasty secrets 【pdf】

Local food thatsatisfies the world's mostdemanding eaters

Japan' st a s t ysecrets

Think you've already tried the best that Japan has to offer? It might be time to think again.

Japan is packed with delicious dishes. All over the country people are constantly cooking up new ways to satisfy a nation's hunger for culinary perfection. Hundreds of gourmet treats come and go, some starting out as a local favorite and then sweeping the land. Occasionally a food fad will last, or maybe the nation grows to love a local delicacy over a period of years. The greatest success stories are rewarded with a place in the nation's heart.

While various dishes are popular for showcasing local ingredi-ents, many others succeed for the most basic reason of all: they taste great! And once a local food becomes established at the national level, it's made it. It's passed the ultimate test of culinary fitness. In many cases you don't even need to be a fan of mainstream Japanese cuisine to appreciate its value. It appeals instantly to anyone with an appetite. Other dishes are more of an adventure, requiring at least some awareness and

appreciation of Japanese ingredients and their applications. And one or two delicacies may strike you as extreme cuisine: enjoyable only by those whose palate is completely attuned to the full range of tastes and textures found in Japan, surely the world's most diverse culinary culture.

That easy-to-extreme diversity is evident even in our initial selection of local cuisines loved all over Japan—but you probably won't have to read long before something gets your mouth watering. Our second selection focuses on food that has won a loyal local following in the region where it originated. Here, too, you will find many dishes that can be—or already are—cherished across regional or national boundar-ies. And even if occasionally you catch yourself thinking, "I'm not sure I could eat that," remind yourself that each dish is a survivor of a merciless process of food selection. If Japan says it's fit to eat, it could be time to take your tastebuds to the gym!

Now come on; let's eat! Itadakimasu!

HokkaidoAomori Prefecture Iwate PrefectureMiyagi PrefectureAkita Prefecture Yamagata PrefectureFukushima Prefecture Ibaraki PrefectureTochigi PrefectureGunma Prefecture Saitama PrefectureChiba PrefectureTokyoKanagawa Prefecture Niigata PrefectureToyama Prefecture

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Ishikawa PrefectureFukui Prefecture Yamanashi Prefecture Nagano Prefecture Gifu Prefecture Shizuoka PrefectureAichi Prefecture Mie PrefectureShiga PrefectureKyoto PrefectureOsaka PrefectureHyogo PrefectureNara PrefectureWakayama Prefecture Tottori PrefectureShimane Prefecture

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Okayama PrefectureHiroshima PrefectureYamaguchi Prefecture Tokushima PrefectureKagawa PrefectureEhime PrefectureKochi PrefectureFukuoka PrefectureSaga PrefectureNagasaki PrefectureKumamoto PrefectureOita PrefectureMiyazaki PrefectureKagoshima Prefecture Okinawa Prefecture

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Japan

HokkaidoTohokuKantoChubuKansaiChugokuShikokuKyushuOkinawa

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Local dishes loved bythe nation

1313

Sapporo

Sendai

Tokyo

YokohamaNagoya

Osaka

Kobe

Fukuoka

Hakodate

Kyoto

Shizuoka

Nagasaki

Kagoshima

Kochi

Naha

Kumamoto

Hiroshima

Kanazawa

Niigata

14142727

Local dishes loved by the nation

04 05

Northern delightsUni-ikura-don

Rice bowl with sea urchin and salmon roe

Curry so good you can spoon it upSoup Curry -------------------

These spicy noodles are anything but flatMorioka jaja-men Morioka-style flat noodles

Hokkaido MapMap No.1

Hokkaido


Hokkaido

Cool noodlesMorioka Reimen Chilled noodles

Iwate MapMap No.3

Tohoku

Iwate MapMap No.3

Tohoku


06 07

Scrumptious dumplingsUtsunomiya Gyoza Meat dumplings

Yummy yaki-manjuYaki-manju Grilled skewered

dumplings

Tochigi MapMap No.9

Kanto

Gunma MapMap No.10

Kanto

A better beefGyutan-yaki Grilled beef tongue

Wok-fried sensationYokote Yakisoba Stir-fried noodles

Miyagi MapMap No.4

Tohoku

Akita MapMap No.5

Tohoku


08 09

Fried firm and flavorfulFujinomiya Yakisoba Fujinomiya fried noodles

Pleasure in simplicityYokosuka Kaigun-kare Yokosuka Navy curry

Shizuoka MapMap No.22

Chubu

Kanagawa MapMap No.14

Kanto

Tokyo-style hot-plate pancakeMonja-yaki Griddle-fried

mixed pancake

Tokyo MapMap No.13

Kanto

Recession-proof grilled meatsYakitori / Yakiton Skewer-grilled chicken

or pork

Saitama MapMap No.11

Kanto


10 11

Whatever—it's deliciousOkonomi-yaki "Anything you like"

pancakes

Is anything as Osakan as octopus?Tako-yaki Grilled octopus dumplings

Tako-yaki with a twistAkashi-yaki Akashi-style octopus

dumplings

Superlative steakKobe-gyu Suteki Kobe beef steak

Osaka MapMap No.27

Kansai

Osaka MapMap No.27

Kansai

Hyogo MapMap No.28

Kansai

Hyogo MapMap No.28

Kansai


12 13

Crèpe-style creationsHiroshima Okonomi-yaki

Hiroshima-style "anything you like" pancakes

Salty, spicy, specialKarashi-mentaiko Spicy Alaska pollack roe

No ordinary noodlesChampon and Sara-udon Noodles in broth; crispy

fried noodles

Hamburger heavenSasebo Burger ----------------------

Hiroshima MapMap No.34

Chugoku

Fukuoka MapMap No.40

Kyushu

Nagasaki MapMap No.42

Kyushu


Kyushu


14 15

School noodlesTaipien Dry noodle soup

Deep-fried delightChicken Nanban Marinated deep-fried

chicken

Swish those stripsKurobuta no Shabushabu Black hog shabu-shabu

Kumamoto MapMap No.43

Kyushu

Miyazaki MapMap No.45

Kyushu

Kagoshima MapMap No.46

Kyushu

Local favorites: a taste ofplace

Now that we've whetted your appetite, let's take a closer look at some delicious dishes that are intimately linked with the region they come from.

Local favorites: a taste of place

18 19

Mutton masterpieceJingisukan Genghis Khan barbecue

Salmon hot potIshikari-nabe Ishikari hot pot


Hokkaido


Hokkaido

Seafood stewIchigo-ni "Strawberry" stew

Aomori MapMap No.2

Tohoku

A fishermen's classicChanchan-yaki Chanchan fry-up


Hokkaido


20 21

The noodles keep coming!Wan-ko soba Soba noodles in

many small bowls

Iwate MapMap No.3

Tohoku

Delicious damaged dumplingsHittsumi Torn dumpling stew

Iwate MapMap No.3

Tohoku

Gooey, chewy, yummyZunda-mochi Sticky rice with

mashed green beans

Miyagi MapMap No.4

Tohoku

Broken cracker soupSembei-jiru Wheat cracker soup

Aomori MapMap No.2

Tohoku


22 23

Dumpling on a stickKiritanpo-nabe Cut tanpo hot pot

Akita MapMap No.5

Tohoku

Super stretch noodlesInaniwa Udon Inaniwa udon noodles

Akita MapMap No.5

Tohoku

From the communal cauldronImo-ni Simmered taro yam

Yamagata MapMap No.6

Tohoku

Savory salmon and riceHarako-meshi Salmon roe rice

Miyagi MapMap No.4

Tohoku


24 25

Auspicious country cuisineKo-zuyu Ko soup

Fukushima MapMap No.7

Tohoku

Choice pickled herringNishin no sansho-zuke Herring with

sansho pepper

Fukushima MapMap No.7

Tohoku

Classic winter fish dishAnko-ryori Anko dishes

Ibaraki MapMap No.8

Kanto

Chunky cod stewDongara-jiru Dongara stew

Yamagata MapMap No.6

Tohoku


26 27

Flavor that's stood the test of timeShimo-tsukare Salmon and

vegetable stew

Tochigi MapMap No.9

Kanto

Summer mushrooms and noodlesChitake-soba Soba noodles with

chitake mushrooms

Tochigi MapMap No.9

Kanto

Nutritious evening noodlesOkkirikomi Coarse-cut

udon noodles

Gunma MapMap No.10

Kanto

Gooey and crunchySoboro-natto Savory soybeans

Ibaraki MapMap No.8

Kanto


28 29

Steamed bun snackIga-manju "Chestnut"

steamed buns


Kanto

Illustrated sushiFutomaki-zushi Thick-rolled sushi

Chiba MapMap No.12

KantoMidday farm favoriteHiyajiru-udon Udon noodles

in cold broth


Kanto

Healthy jellyNamaimo Konnyaku ryori Konnyaku jelly

Gunma MapMap No.10

Kanto


30 31

King of fish?Kusaya Stinky fish

Tokyo MapMap No.13

Kanto

Festive sweet dumplingsHerahera-dango Herahera dumplings


KantoDeep-fried clams on riceFukagawa-don Rice bowl with clams

Tokyo MapMap No.13

Kanto

Sesame sardinesIwashi-no-gomazuke Sardines pickled

with sesame

Chiba MapMap No.12

Kanto


32 33

Trout fit for a shogunMasu-zushi Trout sushi

Toyama MapMap No.16

Chubu

Thick vegetable soupNoppei-jiru Noppei soup

Niigata MapMap No.15

Chubu

Perfect picnic sushiSasa-zushi Sushi wrapped

in bamboo leaves

Niigata MapMap No.15

ChubuGrilled seasonal vegetablesKanko-yaki Grilled wild plants


Kanto


34 35

Longevity noodlesEchizen oroshi soba Soba noodles

with grated daikon

Fukui MapMap No.18

Chubu

Pickled perfectionKabura-zushi Pickled yellowtail

with turnip

Ishikawa MapMap No.17

Chubu

Duck delicacyJibu-ni Jibu soup

Ishikawa MapMap No.17

ChubuThe king of winterBuri-daikon Yellowtail with

daikon radish

Toyama MapMap No.16

Chubu


36 37

Farmhouse dumplingsOyaki Grilled dumplings

Nagano MapMap No.20

Chubu

Hot on vegetablesHoto Hot pot

with udon noodles

Yamanashi MapMap No.19

Chubu

Handmade heavenShinshu soba Shinshu soba noodles

Nagano MapMap No.20

ChubuFishy snackSaba no heshiko Mackerel preserved

in salt and rice bran

Fukui MapMap No.18

Chubu


38 39

Lean eelUnagi no kabayaki Broiled and

seasoned eel


Chubu

Tasty pasteHoba miso Ho leaf miso

Gifu MapMap No.21

Chubu

Deep-fried mini-shrimpSakuraebi no kaki-age Shrimp fritters


ChubuNutty sweetsKuri-kinton Chestnut balls

Gifu MapMap No.21

Chubu


40 41

Fisherman's sushiTekone-zushi Strewn sushi

Mie MapMap No.24

Kansai

Hearty miso stewMiso-nikomi udon Noodles in miso broth

Aichi MapMap No.23

Chubu

Pilgrim's choiceIse udon Ise-style udon noodles

Mie MapMap No.24

KansaiGrilled eel and riceHitsu-mabushi Eel in a tub

Aichi MapMap No.23

Chubu


42 43

Eggplant excellenceKamonasu no dengaku Broiled eggplant

with miso

Kyoto MapMap No.26

Kansai

Delicious duckKamo nabe Duck hot pot

Shiga MapMap No.25

Kansai

Pick the perfect pickleKyo tsukemono Kyoto pickles

Kyoto MapMap No.26

KansaiForerunner of sushiFuna-zushi Preserved carp

Shiga MapMap No.25

Kansai


44 45

Nails that hit the spotIkanago no kugi-ni Cooked sand

eel "nails"

Hyogo MapMap No.28

Kansai

Magnificent mochi soupShiromiso zoni

Osaka MapMap No.27

Kinki

Magnificent mochi soupShiromiso zoni White miso soup

with mochi

Osaka MapMap No.27

Kansai

Wild boar fit to feed an armyBotan nabe

Hyogo MapMap No.28

KinkiWild boar fit to feed an armyBotan nabe "Peony" hot pot

Hyogo MapMap No.28

KansaiSuper slices of sushi cakeHako-zushi Boxed sushi

Osaka MapMap No.27

Kansai


46 47

Fine crab—and you won't feel the pinchKani-jiru Crabmeat soup

Tottori MapMap No.31

Chugoku

Super-slender snow-white noodlesMiwa somen Miwa somen noodles

Nara MapMap No.29

Kansai

Traditional picnic lunchMehari-zushi Leaf-wrapped "sushi"

Wakayama MapMap No.30

KansaiRice and mackerel masterpieceKaki-no-ha-zushi Persimmon leaf sushi

Nara MapMap No.29

Kansai


48 49

Sushi as a work of artBara-zushi Strewn sushi

Okayama MapMap No.33

Chugoku

Soba with the sauce onIzumo soba Izumo-style

soba noodles

Shimane MapMap No.32

Chugoku

Tasty clam cuisineShijimi-jiru Fresh-water clam soup

Shimane MapMap No.32

ChugokuFlying fish cylindersAgo no yaki Flying fish grill

Tottori MapMap No.31

Chugoku


50 51

See-through pufferfishFuku ( fugu) ryori Pufferfish dishes

Yamaguchi MapMap No.35

Chugoku

Outstanding oyster dishKaki no dote nabe Oyster hot pot

with miso


Chugoku

Lunchbox congerAnago meshi Rice with conger eel


ChugokuThese fish are just too good!Mamakari-zushi Shad sushi

Okayama MapMap No.33

Chugoku


52 53

Noodles in the kingdom of udonSanuki udon Sanuki udon noodles

Kagawa MapMap No.37

Shikoku

Porridge optionSobamai-zosui Buckwheat porridge

Tokushima MapMap No.36

Shikoku

Whole fish sushi specialtyBoze no sugata-zushi Butterfish sushi

Tokushima MapMap No.36

ShikokuPressed sushi delicacyIwakuni-zushi Iwakuni sushi

Yamaguchi MapMap No.35

Chugoku


54 55

Seared perfectionKatsuo no tataki Seared raw skipjack

Kochi MapMap No.39

Shikoku

Special sashimiUwajima tai meshi Uwajima snapper rice

Ehime MapMap No.38

Shikoku

Great value snackJakoten Deep-fried fish cakes

Ehime MapMap No.38

ShikokuZoom in on an unusual zoniAn-mochi zoni Elaborate zoni

Kagawa MapMap No.37

Shikoku


56 57

Sushi fit for a lordSuko-zushi Suko sushi

Saga MapMap No.41

Kyushu

Savoring every last dropMizutaki Chicken hot pot


Kyushu

Nourishing brothGame-ni Mixed vegetables

with chicken


KyushuPlatters piled high with freshnessSawachi ryori Heaped seafood platter

Kochi MapMap No.37

Shikoku


58 59

Yam for tea todayIkinari-dago Sweet potato treats


Kyushu

Zoni in the mixed zoneGu-zoni Mixed zoni soup


KyushuCrisp and spicyKarashi renkon Spicy lotus root


Kyushu

Cross-cultural cuisineShippoku ryori Shippoku cooking


Kyushu


60 61

Stretched dumplingsTenobe dango-jiru Hand-made

dumpling soup

Charcoal chickenJidori no sumibiyaki Char-grilled chicken

Oita MapMap No.44

Kyushu


Kyushu

Fishermen's fare from the islandsBuri no atsumeshi Yellowtail with hot rice

Preserving fish traditionsGomadashi udon Noodles in sesame broth

Oita MapMap No.44

Kyushu

Oita MapMap No.44

Kyushu


62 63

Versatile little fishKibinago ryori Kibinago dishes

Fabulous fish cakesTsuke-age Deep-fried fish cake


Kyushu


Kyushu

Cool home-cooked goodnessHiya-jiru Chilled miso soup

Morsels, shreds, and slicesKei-han Chicken rice


Kyushu


Kyushu

64

Healthy jet-black soupIkasumi-jiru Squid ink soup

Okinawa MapMap No.47

Okinawa


Island pork and noodlesOkinawa soba Okinawan

wheat noodles

Best bitter mixGoya champuru Tofu mixed

with bitter melon


Okinawa


Okinawa

Japan's Tasty SecretsPublished: March, 2009

Edited and published byMinistry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Rural Development Planning Commission（シリーズ農村振興別冊）

http://www.maff.go.jp/e/nousin/kouryu/kyodo_ryouri/www.rdpc.or.jp/kyoudoryouri100/

With the assistance ofFulford Enterprises, Ltd.

G o c h i s o s a m a . . .

japan's tasty secrets 【pdf】

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