Japanese cuisine has long been famous around the world for its sophistication, elegance and harmony in each dish. Not only the art of presentation, but each ingredient, seasoning and processing method all follow strict principles, expressing the quintessence of Japanese culture. For beginners, approaching Japanese cuisine may be a bit strange, but if you know how to choose, you will soon be attracted by the lightness and uniqueness of Japanese dishes. The following article will help you better understand Japanese cuisine, from basic principles to suggested menus and reputable places to enjoy them in Vietnam.
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Basic principles of Japanese cuisine
Japanese cuisine is not simply the art of preparing and enjoying food, but also clearly reflects the philosophy of life and the spirit of respecting nature of the Japanese people. When mentioning the quintessence of Japanese cuisine, one cannot ignore the core principles that create the elegance, gentleness and sophistication of each dish. That is the reason why this cuisine is increasingly loved all over the world. Before starting the journey to discover Japanese dishes, let’s learn about the 4 golden principles that make up the unique identity of Japanese cuisine.
Respect the natural flavor
One of the most prominent features of Japanese cuisine is preserving the original nature of the ingredients. The Japanese believe that each ingredient – from fish, vegetables, to seaweed – has its own unique flavor of nature, and the chef’s task is to highlight, not overwhelm, that flavor.
Therefore, Japanese dishes are often seasoned very lightly, using only a few traditional spices such as soy sauce (shoyu), sweet mirin wine, rice vinegar or dashi stock. This helps diners clearly feel each layer of flavor – from the natural sweetness of fresh fish, the crunchiness of vegetables, to the refreshing taste of seaweed – without being covered by strong spices such as garlic, chili or pepper.
Harmonious, beautiful presentation
Japanese cuisine is considered a visual art. Not only delicious, Japanese dishes also make diners admire the elaborate, balanced and delicate presentation. Each dish is like a skillfully arranged picture, with a harmonious combination of colors, textures and shapes.
The Japanese believe that a delicious meal begins with the eyes. Therefore, they pay attention to arranging the dishes so that they are not too full but still have enough nutrients. Colors are often coordinated according to the principle of five colors (blue, red, yellow, white and black), bringing a sense of harmony and stimulating the taste buds. The dishes are also carefully selected, suitable for each dish and each season.
Seasonal and regional
Unlike many other cuisines, Japanese cuisine changes with the seasons of the year. The Japanese highly value seasonal natural products such as autumn mackerel (sanma), winter snow crab, spring cherry, or summer eel. This not only helps the dishes stay fresh and nutritious, but also shows the harmony between people and nature.
In addition, the differences between regions also create richness for Japanese dishes. For example, the Kansai region is famous for takoyaki and okonomiyaki, while Hokkaido is famous for fresh seafood and miso ramen. Respecting regional differences is also a way for the Japanese to preserve traditional culinary culture.
Proper Dining Etiquette
Not only in cooking and presentation, Japanese people also attach great importance to table manners. This is a highlight in the quintessence of Japanese cuisine, showing respect for the cook, the diners and the food used.
Some basic rules that Japanese people always follow at the dining table:
- Do not stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice – this action has funeral significance.
- Do not pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks, because this action is only performed at funerals.
- Before eating, Japanese people always say “Itadakimasu” (please) as a thank you to the cook and nature. After finishing eating, they say “Gochisousama deshita” (thank you for the delicious meal).
- Chopsticks are used properly, do not hold them crookedly, do not knock on the bowl, and do not use chopsticks to point at others.
Observing rituals not only helps preserve traditional culture but also contributes to enhancing the spiritual value of each meal – something that Japanese cuisine always aims for.
If you are new to Japanese cuisine, you may feel a bit bewildered by strange dishes such as raw fish, light soy sauce or fermented dishes. However, don’t worry too much! Japanese cuisine is very rich and has many dishes that are easy to eat, suitable for Vietnamese tastes, especially suitable for those who are just starting to explore the quintessence of Japanese cuisine.
Below are simple, easy-to-understand menu suggestions, helping you start your journey to explore Japanese dishes in a gentle and enjoyable way.
Sushi – Symbol of Japanese cuisine
When it comes to Japanese cuisine, sushi is definitely indispensable – a traditional dish that has reached the world. For beginners, you don’t necessarily have to eat raw fish right away. There are many types of sushi that are light, easy to eat and still retain the typical Japanese flavor.
- Nigiri Sushi: This is the most basic type of sushi – vinegared rice is rolled into small balls, topped with slices of raw fish such as salmon, tuna, or fish eggs. This type of sushi has a light taste and is easy to eat if you choose fresh ingredients.
- Maki Sushi (Seaweed Roll): Rolled sushi is the most popular and easiest choice to eat. The fillings are usually cucumber, rolled eggs, crab sticks, tuna, rolled neatly in a layer of rice and dried seaweed, creating a light, crispy, delicious feeling.
- California Roll: A modern type of sushi that is very suitable for beginners because it does not use raw fish. The fillings include crab sticks, avocado, cucumber, rolled upside down with the outer layer of rice and sprinkled with white sesame or Tobiko fish eggs. The taste is light, fatty, sweet, and pleasant for those who are not used to it.
Ramen – National noodle dish
Ramen is one of the most popular Japanese dishes because of its rich flavor and eye-catching appearance. This noodle dish has golden, soft and chewy noodles, served with a well-simmered bone or soy sauce broth, served hot with many attractive toppings such as soft-boiled eggs, grilled pork (chashu), seaweed and green onions.
Popular types of broth for ramen:
- Tonkotsu Ramen: Broth made from pork bones simmered for many hours, thick and fatty, rich aroma.
- Shoyu Ramen: Soy sauce is the main ingredient, bringing a slightly salty flavor, easy to eat.
- Miso Ramen: Use soy sauce for seasoning, the broth has a rich flavor, slightly sweet.
Ramen noodles are a great choice for those who are not ready to try raw food but still want to fully experience Japanese cuisine.
Tempura – Crispy and light fried food
If you love fried food but are afraid of oil, tempura is the ideal choice. Tempura is seafood (shrimp, squid) or vegetables (pumpkin, eggplant, green beans) dipped in a thin layer of flour and fried in oil.
The special thing about tempura is that the crust is crispy but not greasy, the inside still retains the freshness of the ingredients. When eating, you dip it in tsuyu sauce diluted with grated radish and ginger, bringing a light salty and sweet taste, very suitable for Vietnamese taste.
Gyoza – Japanese dumplings
Gyoza is a Japanese version of dumplings, originating from Chinese jiaozi but with a lighter and lighter variation. Gyoza has a thin crust, filled with minced pork, cabbage, ginger and onions, usually pan-fried on one side to create a crispy texture, while the other side is soft and fragrant.
You can eat gyoza with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar and a little sesame oil. This is a very popular appetizer in Japanese restaurants, especially popular with Vietnamese people thanks to its fragrant, soft and easy-to-eat taste.
Japanese curry rice
Unlike Thai or Indian curry with its spicy taste, Japanese curry stands out for its sweet, light, fatty taste and the gentle aroma of the characteristic curry powder. This dish usually consists of white rice, curry sauce cooked with potatoes, carrots, onions and meat (chicken, pork or beef).
The most popular is katsu curry – curry rice served with tonkatsu (deep-fried pork). The crispy outside, soft and sweet inside, combined with curry sauce creates an addictive flavor for both adults and children.
Tips for choosing the right Japanese dish for beginners
Whether you love exploring cuisine or just want to change the taste for a meal, choosing the right Japanese dish is very important, especially if you have never tried Japanese cuisine. With its lightness, few spices and many raw ingredients, many people feel “shy” when first exposed. However, if you know a few small tips below, you can completely experience it in a more gentle and pleasant way – truly “delicious, beautiful”.
Start with cooked dishes – Safe, easy to eat, easy to like
If you are not familiar with Japanese dishes using raw fish such as sushi or sashimi, you should start with fully cooked dishes. This is the best way to get acquainted with Japanese culinary style without being “shocked” by the strange taste.
Suggestions for you:
- Japanese curry rice: This dish is slightly sweet, easy to eat, very “good” for the stomach.
- Gyoza: Soft and crispy fried dumplings, delicious meat filling, similar to Vietnamese wontons.
- Tempura: Crispy fried dish but not greasy at all – very suitable for Vietnamese people.
After getting used to the seasoning and typical flavors, you can move up to a new level: try sushi or sashimi, starting with easy-to-eat types like salmon or crab sticks.
Choose dishes with familiar spices – Easy to “integrate into the taste”
Japanese cuisine is famous for its lightness, low fat, and especially low spices. For people who are used to strong foods like Vietnamese people, some Japanese dishes can be considered “bland” the first time they enjoy them. Therefore, choose dishes with rich broth or spices similar to Vietnamese dishes to make them easier to approach.
Suggested to try:
- Tonkotsu or Miso Ramen: The broth is simmered from pork bones or miso paste, with a rich, aromatic flavor.
- Japanese curry rice: Has a mild sweetness from vegetables and a characteristic curry sauce, easy to suit Vietnamese tastes.
- Yakitori (grilled meat skewers): Richly marinated, fragrant with charcoal, quite similar to Vietnamese grilled dishes.
Served with pink ginger and light wasabi – Balance the flavor
When eating Japanese cuisine sushi or sashimi, two familiar spices are pink ginger (gari) and wasabi (wasabi) will help you feel the dish more fully.
- Pink ginger is eaten between different types of sushi to cleanse the taste buds, helping you not to confuse the taste of salmon, tuna or fish eggs. At the same time, it also aids digestion and is a mild antibacterial.
- Wasabi has a spicy and slightly strong taste, you should use it in small doses – just lightly dab it on the underside of the sushi or dilute it with soy sauce. Using too much wasabi can destroy the natural delicious taste of raw fish.
Small note: Do not mix wasabi into soy sauce as many people do, because this is not the Japanese eating style and can “overwhelm” the original flavor of sushi.
Choose a combo set for the first time – Full experience, save money
If you are still wondering which dish to choose, a combo set is the safest and most convenient choice. Japanese restaurants often design set menus according to themes such as:
- Mixed sushi set: Includes many different types of sushi from cooked fish, vegetarian rolls to raw fish – helping you try many flavors in one meal.
- Ramen or udon set: Noodles served with miso soup, seaweed salad, tempura cake… very complete but not too much.
- Bento rice set: A tray of many small dishes such as grilled fish, gyoza, mixed vegetables, white rice and dessert – both full and exploring a variety of Japanese dishes.
The combo not only helps you choose dishes easily, but also balances the flavors between hot and cold, dry and wet, fried and steamed dishes, making it ideal for beginners.
Suggested addresses to enjoy Japanese cuisine in Da Nang
If you are living, working or have the opportunity to travel in Da Nang and want to experience authentic Japanese cuisine, then Ari Sushi – Japanese Sushi Restaurant is an address not to be missed. This is a place that brings diners not only the traditional flavors of Japanese dishes, but also a space that is pure Japanese, gentle and sophisticated.
A space that is pure Japanese in the heart of Da Nang
Ari Sushi is designed in a modern Japanese style combined with tradition. The main wood tone, soft yellow lights and private tables and chairs bring a sense of tranquility and relaxation – true to the spirit of Japanese culinary quintessence. This is an ideal space for family meals, meeting friends or romantic dates.
Ari Sushi stands out with a rich menu, from basic dishes for beginners to traditional specialties for “Japanese gourmets”. Some typical dishes that cannot be missed:
- Sushi and sashimi: Fresh every day, especially nigiri of salmon, tuna, octopus – standard Japanese sushi cuisine.
- Maki rolls: California roll, crab roll, Tobiko roe – suitable for those who are not used to raw fish.
- Ramen and udon: Rich broth, medium-firm noodles, combined with soft-boiled eggs and sweet chashu.
- Tempura, gyoza, Japanese curry rice: Easy-to-eat cooked dishes, suitable for children and first-timers.
In particular, Ari Sushi has many economical and reasonable combo sets – ideal for you to experience many dishes in one meal without having to worry about choosing each individual portion.
Quality of ingredients – Freshness makes the difference
Ari Sushi restaurant always focuses on selecting ingredients. Seafood is imported directly from reputable sources, preserved and processed according to Japanese standards. Sushi rice is seasoned with rice vinegar in the right proportions, soy sauce, wasabi and pink ginger are all imported from Japan. Thanks to that, each dish at Ari Sushi always retains its freshness, light taste, and authentic Japanese cuisine.
Dedicated service – Reasonable price
Although it has standard Japanese quality, Ari Sushi has a very affordable price. The staff is friendly, understands the menu well and is willing to advise suitable dishes for beginners. This is a big plus that makes the restaurant popular with both Vietnamese and foreign tourists.
- Address: 268 Vo Nguyen Giap, My An Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang
- Opening hours: 10:30 – 23:00 (all week)
- Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/arisushinhahangnhat
Conclusion
Japanese cuisine is not only about eating but also about the subtle perception of culture, nature and the art of living. For beginners, choosing the right dish and a reputable address is the key factor for you to have a complete experience. Hopefully with the suggestions in the article, you will be more confident when exploring Japanese dishes and feel more deeply about the quintessence of Japanese cuisine – a place that honors simplicity, harmony but full of charm.
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Contact information
Address: 268 Vo Nguyen Giap, My An Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang
Phone: 0941 141 945
Email: arisushidanang@gmail.com
Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/arisushinhahangnhat
Website: https://arisushi.vn/
