introduction

Japanese cuisine is very popular particularly with people who enjoy healthy yet delicious
meals. In Japanese homes, mothers usually prepare meals based on traditional cooking
styles with some influence from Western or Chinese cuisines. These Western and Chinese-
influenced dishes are called yofu and chuka respectively.

A typical Japanese meal would include a rice (gohan) or noodle
(men-rui) dish served with meat or seafood. These meals would
come served with side dishes such as salads or simmered dishes
consisting of vegetables, tofu, various kinds of seaweed, pickles
and soup. You will often find four to five dishes laid out on a table.
These dishes can also be packed into bento boxes to be brought
to the office or school.

Other than the three main meals of the day, the Japanese are known
to enjoy snacks or desserts in the afternoons. Known as san-ji-no-
oyatsu or teatime, traditional snacks such as glutinous rice balls
(dango) coated with sweet soy sauce and chilled jelly with fruit
(anmitsu) are served together with tea. These days, you will also
find Western-style sweets such as ice cream, pastries and cakes
served at teatime.

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