While many Japanese foods have become popular worldwide, there are still some traditional dishes that may be less common in Australia. Here are some traditional Japanese foods that you may never have heard of before – or if you have, we’d love you to tell us!
Fugu:
Fugu is a pufferfish that contains a deadly toxin. Specially trained Chefs are required to prepare this delicacy and it is not widely available due to safety regulations.
Basashi:
To put it honestly, basashi is just thinly sliced raw horse meat, typically served with soy sauce and garlic. It is more common in certain regions of Japan and may be less available in Australia due to cultural preferences.
Hoto:
This very regional hearty noodle soup is found mostly in the Yamanashi Prefecture and features wide flat wheat noodles, vegetables and miso-based broth.
Yuba:
Yuba is the skin that forms on the surface of soy milk when it is heated. It is often used in vegetarian dishes and may be less common outside of Japan.
Natto:
Fermented soybeans with a distinctive, strong flavour and slimy texture. While natto is a popular traditional dish in Japan, its unique taste and texture may make it less common in other countries.
Hoshigaki:
Dried persimmons, known as 'hoshigaki', are a traditional Japanese snack. They are peeled, hung to dry and massaged to create a unique texture. While dried fruit is common, hoshigaki may be less prevalent in Australia.
Wagashi:
Wagashi refers to a variety of traditional Japanese sweets often served with tea. These can include colourful mochi, anmitsu and other confections that might be less familiar outside of Japan.
Okonomiyaki:
While okonomiyaki is a well-known dish, the Hiroshima-style involves layering ingredients including noodles, which is less common internationally.
Shirako:
Shirako is the milt or sperm sacs of fish, often cod. While it is a delicacy in Japan, it is quite unusual nature may limit its availability outside of where it comes from.
It's worth noting that the popularity and availability of these foods can vary and with the growing interest in global cuisines, you may find some of these dishes in specific Japanese restaurants or specialty stores in Australia.
