Love Japanese Food? 8 Amazing Facts About The Cuisine You Probably Didn't Know

Credits: Unsplash

Credits: Unsplash

1. Japanese Cuisine Is A UNESCO Cultural Heritage

In 2013, “Washoku”, the traditional dietary culture of the Japanese, was recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

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2. Rice Isn’t Just A Staple—It’s Sacred

For centuries, rice has been more than just a dietary essential—it’s considered spiritually significant.

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3. Umami Was Discovered In Japan

While sweet, salty, sour, and bitter are global tastes, the fifth taste—umami—was discovered by Japanese scientist Kikunae Ikeda in 1908.

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4. The Knife Skills Are A Whole Art Form

In Japanese cuisine, knife work is revered. Chefs spend years mastering techniques like katsuramuki and precise sashimi cuts.

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5. Sushi Was Originally A Preservation Method

Long before it became trendy worldwide, sushi began as a way to preserve fish.

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6. There’s A Season For Everything

Japanese cuisine is deeply seasonal. Many dishes and ingredients are tied to the time of year, like sakura mochi in spring or grilled ayu (sweetfish) in summer.

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7. Soy Sauce Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

There are over 1,000 varieties of soy sauce in Japan, ranging from light to dark, sweet to rich.

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8. Japanese Food Is Built Around The Philosophy Of “Ichiju Sansai”

Traditional meals follow the principle of “ichiju sansai”, meaning “one soup, three sides.” This structure ensures nutritional balance and variety.

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Craving Japanese food yet?