About the Demonstrational "Dragon Beard's Candy" Video This video features footage of a professional making traditional dragon beard's candy by hand at a food stall in the Shin-Okubo area of Shinjuku, Tokyo (東京都新宿の新大久保). The delicate sweets, which are known for being difficult to make, are a traditional sweet in Korea which are also known by the name Kkul-tarae (クルタレ) or Ronshutan (ロンシュータン). In this video, you can see the techniques used to make dragon's beard candy and learn more about the history and characteristics of this traditional sweet. We hope you enjoy the video! What Is Dragon's Beard Candy? Source :YouTube screenshot Dragon's beard candy is a traditional sweet which has been eaten in countries such as China, Korea and Taiwan for hundreds of years. Its popularity has spread to other foreign countries, such as the US, Taiwan, Singapore, Canada and Hong Kong. Dragon beard's candy originated in China over 2,000 years ago, when the delicate treat was originally prepared for the emperor; however, it eventually came to be eaten by ordinary citizens and has been loved to this day. The main ingredient used to make dragon beard's candy is maltose syrup, known as "mugi mizuame" in Japanese. Cornstarch is also an essential ingredient. It's made by stretching a hard piece of candy over and over again to create a candy with a light and crunchy texture. The mildly sweet Dragon's beard candy is often given as a gift (lucky charm) in Seoul, Korea. Watch the Amazing Skills of This Professional Dragon Beard's Candy Maker in Shin-Okubo! Source :YouTube screenshot Each piece of dragon's beard candy is carefully handmade by craftsmen. As can be seen in the video, the street vendor first prepares the maltose syrup candy. He creates a hole in the hard candy and proceeds to stretch the candy using this hole. You can take a look at the stretching process throughout the video. The vendor then stretches the candy over and over while continually covering it in cornstarch until the threads of the candy reach the thickness of what is thought to resemble a dragon's beard. Only highly skilled professionals can make the candy incredibly thin without it breaking or snapping. A single piece of candy is stretched into an amazing 16,384 strands. From 4:26 in the video, the street vendor explains that this is the perfect number of strands to create the most pleasant melt-in-your-mouth texture. At 2:20 in the video, he begins to fold the candy to create the 16,384 strands, which he completes in roughly 35-40 seconds. The highlight of the video has to be when the professional dragon's beard maker shows off the finished product to the customers, at which point it looks beautifully smooth like threads of silk. Many customers are amazed by the look of the finished product! You can take a look at this in the video at 4:18. If you get a chance to see it up close, be sure to take a video of your own and share it with your friends! Source :YouTube screenshot After stretching out the candy, crushed peanuts, almonds, sesame seeds, or coconut can be added as a filling. One piece of candy costs approximately a few hundred yen (a couple bucks (USD)). There are very few people who know how to make the candy as the skills required are so difficult to master. Summary of Dragon Beard Candy There are food stalls in Shin-Okubo and Yokohama's Chinatown (横浜中華街, yokohamachuukagai) where you can watch dragon beard's candy being made right before your eyes. You can also buy dragon beard's candy online, sometimes sold under the name "Dragon Candy." For those interested in tasting and experiencing the delicate texture of dragon beard's candy, we highly recommended purchasing some and trying them out for yourself! Watching how the amazing dragon beard candy is made is guaranteed to pique your curiosity! Be sure to check it out in the video!

Video Introduction to Kawachiya, a Popular Dorayaki Shop in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture This video, titled “Japanese Street Food - Japanese Pancake DORAYAKI Jiggly Fluffy Cake,” was uploaded by “Sushi Bomber TV｜Cooking Front Line” (Sushi Bomber TV クッキング最前線). Dorayaki is a classic Japanese sweet loved by the people of Japan! These sweets are also well known from the popular anime "Doraemon." Dorayaki is a snack that can be easily made at home with pancake mix and anko (sweet bean paste), but you'll appreciate the flavor even more after watching the skillful techniques of these confectioners! There are many autographs of famous people inside Kawachiya, and it's frequently featured on TV programs across Japan. Kawachiya was established in 1988 and the popular confectionery features a limit of five dorayaki per person, but this is because the owner wants as many people as possible to be able to try them. The Coca-Cola logo at the front of the shop, where the owner is demonstrating and selling the dorayaki, gives the shop a slightly retro look. Dorayaki – A Popular Japanese Confection Photo：Dorayaki Dorayaki is such a popular Japanese confection that there are famous stores all over Japan, but surprisingly few people know how to make it properly. The recipe differs from store to store, but here we'll share a simple recipe and the origin of the name "dorayaki." Dorayaki is a general term for Japanese sweets made of a disk-shaped sponge cake with sweet bean paste sandwiched in between. It is said that the name "dorayaki" came from the shape of the sponge cake, which resembles a gong, which in Japanese is 銅鑼, pronounced "dora." The dough is made of wheat flour, eggs, and honey, giving it a slightly Western feel, making it a very popular sweet regardless of age or gender. Recently, freezing technology has advanced to allow them to be stored for longer periods of time, making them a great souvenir or gift. The standard sweet bean paste used inside is "koshi-an" or "tsubu-an," but there are also unique stores that add "shiro-an" (white bean paste) or cream. As you can see at 9:10 in the video, a special version with peanut butter sandwiched between the freshly baked cakes is served to the waiting customers. Nowadays, machine made dorayaki are commonly available at supermarkets and convenience stores, but there's something special about eating freshly made, fluffy, and hot dorayaki made right before your eyes at a street vendor. The History of Dorayaki. Why Are There so Many Dorayaki Products With the Name “Mikasa”? Photo：Torayaki The origins of dorayaki date back hundreds of years, and it is said that there was already a confection like the one we known today in the Kamakura period (1192 to 1333 A.D.). It is said that the current style of sandwiching two pieces of sponge cake together became standard in the Showa period (1926–1989 A.D.), but in the Edo period (1603-1868 A.D.), it was common to fold the round baked dough around the sweet bean paste, sort of like a dorayaki taco. It's said that the major Japanese confectionery Bunmeido made Dorayaki famous nationwide, and since this company popularized Dorayaki under the product name of "Seika Mikasa-yama," many Dorayaki products have been named "Mikasa." There is also a theory that the names "Mikasa," "Mikasa-yaki," and "Mikasa-manju" are favored in Japan's Kansai region because they originate from Mt. Wakakusa, commonly referred to as Mt. Mikasa, in Nara Prefecture. There are also "Nama-dora" with whipped cream, "Torayaki" with tiger patterened cakes ("tora" means "tiger" in Japanese), and "Mushi-dora" where the cakes are steamed instead of baked. Famous Dorayaki Stores Across Japan In this article, we introduced the famous "Kawachiya," a confectionery in Shizuoka, but there are many stores all over Japan where the popular sweet, dorayaki, is sold. In Tokyo, there are three major dorayaki shops: "Kameju" in Asakusa, "Usagiya" in Ueno, and "Sogetsu" in Higashi-Jujo, all of which are crowded with customers seeking dorayaki every day. Dorayaki is also very popular in online rankings. "Suzumeya" in Minami-Ikebukuro, "Seijuken" in Nihonbashi, "Bairindo" which originated in Saitama Prefecture, the popular "Kouro-an" in Yokohama, "Ryoguchiya Korekiyo" in Nagoya, "Morihan" and "Taneya" in Kyoto are all famous wagashi stores with high rankings. Summary of Dorayaki, the Popular Japanese Confection Photo：Dorayaki being made One of the highlights of Kawachiya, the shop introduced here, is the is the teamwork of the husband and wife. The husband cooks up the delicious confections and the wife packages them diligently. The dorayaki, with its fluffy sponge cake and generous amount of sweet bean paste will have you coming back for more! It is also sold in an assortment with other Japanese sweets, making it a great gift. Some stores also offer a service where they'll print a face on the cakes for birthdays and celebrations, making it great for special occasions as well! 【TripAdvisor】Kawachiya https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g298124-d1704426-Reviews-Kawachiya-Shizuoka_Shizuoka_Prefecture_Tokai_Chubu.html

Sea Urchin Cuisine - An Exquisite Japanese Cuisine Gaining in Popularity This video, titled "Japanese Roadside Snacks - Fresh Sea Urchin｜Japanese Sea Food" (日本路邊小吃 - 生海膽 日本海鮮), was released by “Roadside Snacks” (路边小吃). It introduces one of the most popular Japanese ingredients, sea urchin. Sea urchin is a distinctive creature with a round body covered in sharp spines. In Japan, it’s common to eat sea urchin as sashimi, sushi, or in sea urchin rice bowls. Enjoy a wonderful time tasting the finest sea urchin at a seafood restaurant that serves exquisite Japanese cuisine. The Ecology of the Popular Seafood Ingredient, Sea Urchins Photo：Sea urchin Sea urchins are a spiny marine animal found on rocky beaches and in the deep sea. Sea urchins are echinoderms and are characterized by their pentaradial symmetry. However, there are many aspects of their biology that remain unknown. In Japan, sea urchins are widely found in coastal areas, such as Hokkaido and at Iwate Prefecture's Sanriku Coast. Sea urchins are in season from June to August. During this time period, the meat of the sea urchins is truly exquisite. The mushy insides of the commonly eaten sea urchin look like eggs, but they are actually the animal's gonads. Types of Edible Sea Urchin Photo：Sea urchin There are around 180 known species of sea urchins in the seas around Japan and more than 800 known species around the world. The most commonly eaten raw sea urchins in Japan are the Bafun (Hemicentrotus) and Ezo-Bafun (Strongylocentrotus intermedius), Purple Sea Urchin (ムラサキウニ), and Northern Purple Sea Urchin (キタムラサキウニ), which are mainly from Hokkaido and the Tohoku region. In Japan, in addition to wild sea urchins, many sea urchins are farmed to be eaten out of season. Thanks to advances in aquaculture techniques, it’s possible to eat delicious sea urchin in Japan all year round. The Various Ways to Eat Sea Urchin Photo：Sea urchin sushi Sea urchin is a popular ingredient in many Japanese dishes. It can be eaten in a variety of ways, including sea food bowls, sashimi, sushi, uni don, and more. If you're traveling along the coast of Japan, you'll be able to eat the delicious seaside ingredient to your heart's content. Each restaurant has its own recipe for preparing sea urchin, so we recommend trying the sea urchin of a bunch of different restaurants to find which one you like most! From 8:56 in the video, you can see the sea urchin being shelled and then served fresh. Summary of the Popular Seafood Ingredient, Sea Urchin Photo：Sea urchin A variety of seafood ingredients are used in Japanese cuisine, including the popular sea urchin, fish, such as bluefin and skipjack tuna, and shellfish, such as scallops. As shown in the video, at famous Japanese restaurants you can watch the chefs quickly process the sea urchin up close and personal. When you visit Japan, be sure to visit some delicious seafood restaurants to experience Japanese food culture!

The Mouthwatering Coconut Crab of Yatai Mura on Kokusaidori This video, titled "Japanese Street Food - GIANT COCONUT CRAB Seafood Okinawa Japan," was uploaded by "Travel Thirsty." It introduces the coconut crab sold at food trucks in Okinawa. Coconut crabs are huge crustaceans that live in Okinawa Prefecture. They have a history of being eaten as a delicacy in parts of Okinawa since ancient times. At Yatai Mura, a popular destination on Kokusaidori in Naha, Okinawa, you can eat gigantic coconut crab dishes. Sometimes called "Okinawa's strange specialty," coconut crab is surprisingly delicious thanks to its plump texture and the delicious broth that can be made from it. How is Okinawa's Coconut Crab Prepared? Photo：Coconut crab cuisine Coconut crab dishes can be eaten at Okinawan food stalls for a few thousand yen. Coconut crab dishes are made in much the same way as normal crab dishes; however, the shells of coconut crab are hard, making them difficult to prepare sometimes. At food stalls, coconut crabs are usually steamed whole, then removed from the shell and eaten with seasonings, such as sauce or soup stock. This can be seen at 8:09 in the video. What Kind of Creatures are Okinawa's Coconut Crab? Photo：Coconut crab Coconut crabs look like crabs, but they're actually a type of hermit crab. In Japanese, they're called "yashi-gani" (椰子蟹 in kanji or the more common ヤシガニ in katakana). Coconut crabs inhabit Miyako Island, Ishigaki Island, and Iriomote Island in Okinawa Prefecture, and the largest crabs can grow more than 40 cm in length and weigh more than 4 kg! The coconut crab is said to be the strongest crustacean, and the clamping force of its giant pincers is about 90 times its weight, which is about as strong as a lion's bite! Fisherman must be very careful when catching coconut crabs, as not to get injured. Points of Caution When Eating Coconut Crab at a Food Stall Photo：Coconut crab cuisine Because coconut crabs are omnivores and eat dead or rotten fish carcasses, they can accumulate pathogens in their bodies. Coconut crabs that have accumulated these pathogens can cause food poisoning if eaten, even after cooking them, so be careful. Coconut crab is a valuable food item that is rarely eaten nowadays, partly because it is listed as an endangered species. Summary of the Coconut Crab at Okinawa's Food Stalls Photo：Coconut crab cuisine The Okinawan culture of eating giant coconut crabs dates all the way back to ancient Japan. Seen at 4:40 in the video are some of the unique gourmet specialties at Okinawan food stalls, including dishes like chanpuru, rafute, mimigaa (pig's ear) and umibudo (sea grapes). If you’re traveling to Okinawa, be sure to try the coconut crab sold at one of the many food stalls! ◆Kokusaidori, Yatai Mura｜General Information◆ 【Address】3-11 Makishi, Naha 900-0013 Okinawa Prefecture 【Access】A 4-minute walk from Yui Rail Makishi Station. 【Hours】Varies depending on other restaurants at the location 【Closures】Varies depending on other restaurants at the location 【Parking】None 【Tripadvisor】Kokusaidori, Yatai Mura https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298224-d11848458-Reviews-Kokusaidori_Yataimura-Naha_Okinawa_Prefecture.html

Edo Period Recipes: Video Introduction Source :YouTube screenshot This video, titled "[2] Edo Period Food: Making it Just Like the Original Recipe" (【2】江戸時代のご飯 原典(レシピ)通り作ってみた), was uploaded by "Gens Bookshelf Cafeteria." This video introduces Edo Period food recreated based on recipes from three cookbooks published during the Edo Period: Ryori Monogatari, Tofu Hyakuchin, and Meihan Burui. The Edo Period (1603-1868 A.D.) was a period of 260 years where Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The recipes are intriguing as they introduce meals that are similar to many found in present-day Japanese cooking, while reflecting the food culture of the time. Be sure to check out what the dishes were like in the video. How Many Meals a Day in Edo Period Japan? Shogun vs. Commoner Food Culture Photo：An oil lantern During the Edo Period, people generally ate two meals a day, one in the morning and one in the evening. However, midway through the Edo Period, it's said that three meals a day became the norm. This was due to the improvement of lanterns, which allowed people move about at night. Basic meals of the common people consisted of one soup and one vegetable dish. Side dishes consisted mostly of simmered vegetables and pickled vegetables, and fish was eaten only once every two weeks or so. The tenements where the common people of Edo lived were small and cramped housing complexes. Because of the cramped kitchens, rice was cooked only once a day to ensure efficient cooking. Farmers paid a large portion of their taxes as rice, so they had little rice to eat themselves. They often ate katemeshi, rice cooked with various grains, or mochi (rice cakes) made from various grains. The diet of a samurai varied according to rank. Low-ranking samurai had the same diet as common people, while high-ranking samurai ate a wider variety of food items and ingredients. Daimyo (feudal lords) and shogun enjoyed an even wider variety of side dishes, and some lords even enjoyed fish at every meal. Depending on their social status, they may also have enjoyed sake. Another characteristic of Edo Period food was that many people began to eat out. Food stalls selling tempura and soba (buckwheat noodles) slowly began to pop up and became common among the general populace. Other popular foods were kabayaki (grilled eel covered in a sweet soy sauce) and sushi. Together with soba and tempura, these are considered the four major foods of the Edo. 3 Edo Period Cookbooks – Cook Like They Did in the Age of the Samurai Source :YouTube screenshot Here are the three books on food in the Edo Period that were featured in the video. ●Ryori Monogatari (Tales of Cooking) Ryori Monogatari is a cookbook published in 1643, in the early Edo Period. It's considered to be the oldest cookbook in Japan that provides specific cooking methods. Dishes and ingredients are listed by category, such as "sea fish" and "river fish," and cooking methods are divided into "broths," "vinegared foods," etc. This method of compiling recipes influenced later cookbooks as well. ●Tofu Hyakuchin Tofu Hyakuchin is a cookbook published in 1782, in the mid-Edo Period. It lists 100 recipes for tofu. The book introduces dishes divided into six classes, including "common" and "exquisite," and describes the cooking processes in detail. The book also includes a note that a sequel was published the following year, which suggests that tofu was a popular ingredient among the people of the Edo Period. ●Meihan Burui Meihan Burui was published in 1802, in the late Edo Period. It's a cookbook specializing in recipes involving rice, and introduces more than 140 recipes for porridge, sushi, etc. It also includes columns on the characteristics of rice by production area, showing the high level of interest in cooking with rice during the Edo Period. Fish? Meat? Vegetables? What Did People in the Edo Period Eat the Most Of? Photo：Rice bran The basic diet during the Edo Period consisted of rice, miso soup, and one side dish. From the mid-Edo Period onward, as rice production increased and rice-polishing technology improved, diets shifted from brown rice to white rice. This had an impact on food culture as well, such as the spread of pickled vegetables made from the bran produced in the rice polishing process. Side dishes for the common people consisted mainly of beans and vegetables cooked in a stew. Natto (fermented soybeans) and tofu were also commonly eaten as a source of protein. Vegetables such as daikon, komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), and leeks were common, and these are eaten even today. Soy sauce, an essential ingredient for flavoring meals in the Edo Period, also spread to the common people in the mid-Edo Period. Many of the dishes in the book are also flavored simply with soy sauce or miso. ●Nebuka-jiru Nebuka-jiru is a miso soup with green onions. Make broth with kombu and dried sardines, and add leeks. Once cooked, miso is added and the soup is complete. [Video] 2:14 - Nebuka-jiru ●Ozasa Tofu Tofu is cooked on a skewer, then cooked in a pot with broth, soy sauce, and mirin. Beaten egg is then poured over the tofu and simmered, and then sprinkled with sansho (Japanese pepper). [Video] 3:00 - Ozasa Tofu ●Tofu Noodles Tofu crumbles and komatsuna are stir-fried, then mixed with boiled somen noodles. Season with soy sauce and serve. [Video] 4:11 - Tofu Noodles In the Edo Period diet, common people ate fish dishes only a few times a month. The common people ate inexpensive and easily obtainable fish, such as sardines and tuna. Shoguns or daimyo on the other hand, ate high-end fish such as sea bream (which were said to bring good luck), sillago, and flounder. Although eating meat was prohibited for many years, it was sometimes consumed for medicinal purposes. Summary of Food Culture in Edo Period Japan Source :YouTube screenshot In this article. we introduced a video recreating Edo Period food. By learning about meals during Edo Period Japan, you can better understand how people lived, the food culture, and the social dynamics of the time. Food is one of the many perspectives from which to understand the history of any given era. If you're curious about Japanese cooking, maybe try making some of the recipes yourself! We hope you can use this article as a reference to create some delicious dishes!

Introducing the Benefits of Natto, a Japanese Staple This video, titled "The Mysterious World of Bacillus Natto: Natto: The Power of Life. How Bacillus Natto and Lactic Acid Bacteria Help Eachother!" (【納豆】納豆菌の不思議な世界「なっとう　いのちの力」 納豆菌と乳酸菌は助け合っていた!?), was uploaded by "Natto Channel" (納豆ちゃんねる). It introduces the benefits and mysteries of natto. Natto, a fermented food made from soybeans, is a commonly eaten food in Japan. It has a unique consistency and aroma, and is one of the most popular items on the Japanese breakfast menu, known for its high nutritional value and health benefits. This video explains in detail the relationship between natto and lactic acid bacteria, while showing images of the entire growth process of bacillus natto. This article introduces the relationship between natto and lactic acid bacteria alongside the video. The Health Benefits of Natto Photo：Wara natto (straw natto) Natto is made by soaking soybeans, a crop deeply rooted in Japanese food culture, in water, steaming them, spraying them with bacillus natto, and fermenting and maturing them. Bacillus natto, an essential ingredient of natto, is a bacterium called hay bacillus. Bacillus natto is a sub-type of hay bacillus that lives abundantly in rice straw, and a single straw of Japanese rice contains almost 10 million bacillus natto bacteria. The sticky, thread-like substance of natto is the shell of bacillus natto, called a spore. Bacillus natto is a strong bacterium that can withstand temperatures between -100°C and 100°C and can survive even stomach acid and make it to the intestines. Natto is rich in nutrients and also contains vitamins B2 and K2. The benefits of these vitamins include: skin beautification, stimulating growth in children, fatigue relief, improved liver function and immunity, bone strengthening, and the combating of bad bacteria. Nattokinase, an amino acid, is also an enzyme that helps dissolve blood clots in the blood and promotes blood thinning. Nattokinase is heat-sensitive, and its activity decreases rapidly at temperatures above 50°C (122°F) when there is a lot of water in the body. However, it is also considered one of the strongest bacterium because the temperature at which it is completely killed or sterilized is 120°C (248°F). Bacillus natto germinates and grows from spores when placed in a suitable environment. Growing in lines, bacillus natto produces mysterious patterns as well. The mysterious patterns can be seen via microscope at 2:15 in the video. The Relationship Between Bacillus Natto and Lactic Acid Bacteria Photo：Lactic acid bacteria A variety of bacteria coexist in the intestines. For example, there are E. coli bacteria, which are often harmful to the human body and also multiply at a rapid rate. When bacillus natto and E. coli are placed in the same humidity and temperature environment, the speed of growth of bacillus natto is much faster than that of E. coli, as shown at 4:54 in the video. Lactic acid bacteria are less active in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. This is because lactic acid bacteria do not have the catalase enzyme to decompose hydrogen peroxide. Bacillus natto on the other hand, has this catalase enzyme. Therefore, when natto extract is added to lactic acid bacteria, the lactic acid bacteria are activated and cultivated intensely, thereby enhancing the regulatory effect on the intestinal environment. A clip showing the relationship between lactic acid bacteria, which are also good bacteria, and bacillus natto is shown at 6:18 in the video. Summary of Bacillus Natto, the Super Bacteria Promoting Health in the Japanese People The above video, "The Mysterious World of Bacillus Natto: Natto: The Power of Life. How Bacillus Natto and Lactic Acid Bacteria Help Eachother!", introduces the mysterious bacillus natto that plays an important role in the health of the Japanese people. It also shows the amazing power of bacillus natto. A variety of natto products are available for sale in Japan and can be easily purchased at convenience stores and supermarkets. If you've never tried natto, consider giving this healthy food a try!

Introducing Eelpouts - An Interesting Delicacy in Kanazawa, Ishikawa "Eelpouts: The rare fish loved in Kanazawa| nippon.com," is a 4K video uploaded by "nippon.com." Have you heard of eelpouts before? There probably aren't many people who've heard of this strange fish, but it's actually a specialty of Kanazawa that's attracting attention as an ingredient for beauty supplements. This video will show you how to prepare some delicious eelpouts! The Unsightly Eelpout - A Look at the Strange Fish Photo：Eelpouts Eelpout is written "幻魚" (roughly "Illusion Fish") in Japanese Kanji. This deep-sea fish is a type of sea-bass (belonging to a genus of Zoarcidae) and there are more than 230 types of eelpouts around the world. The reason why it's called "illusion fish" in Japan is likely because of its wiggly, slimy and grotesque body, and it was never eaten or studied. It has been found that it prefers the cold water of the northern hemisphere and usually lies on the seafloor, eating shells, sea urchins, and starfish that are in the sand. It swims very slow and its proper name is "ノロゲンゲ" (norogenge) in Japanese. The best time to catch it in the Hokuriku region is from September to May. How to Prepare Eelpouts Source :YouTube screenshot The most distinctive feature of the eelpout is its long, thin body, slimy surface, and soft texture. This is because it's rich in fine gelatin and collagen. It has quit a plain taste, so it can be used in any kind of cooking, and it is very popular in Kanazawa and Toyama. As you can see from 0:41 in the video, they cost around 400 yen per four fish, which is cheap during the harvest seasons, so it's often eaten as a main dish in Japan's Hokuriku region. Fried, dried, and tempura are also popular ways to prepare it, and these can be seen from 1:17 in the video. The slimy surface disappears when deep-fried giving it a nice and soft texture. Because of its simple taste, it's used as the main ingredients in miso soup and hot pot on a regular basis. Summary of Eelpouts, a Kanagawa Specialty Photo：Miso soup with bamboo shoots Eelpouts are also called "gengyo," "dogi," "mizuuo," and "sugayo" in Japanese. Although grotesque at first glance, it's gaining attention as a main ingredient in beauty supplements due to its high moisture content and moisturizing properties. Eelpout hot pot and eelpout soup are foods that women should pay attention to if they're focusing on beauty because it warms the body from the core and makes the skin look youthful. Be sure to try them when you visit Kanazawa, Ishikawa.

About the Ika Somen Recipe Video Many people are probably used to preparing sashimi from already prepared sections of fish, but it's rare that people fillet fish and make sashimi from scratch at home. Preparing Japanese food may also seem like an incredibly time consuming task if you aren't Japanese yourself. In this video, the chef demonstrates how to fillet and prepare spear squid, called yariika in Japanese (ヤリイカ), to make the dish Ika Somen. The tips and techniques shown in this video are a must-see for anyone interested in Japanese cuisine! Preparing the Squid to Make Ika Somen Photo：Squid sashimi Preparation is the key to making delicious Japanese food. The majority of people who eat sashimi at home tend to buy it already prepared from the supermarket as the process of making it (filleting squid in particular) is rather complicated. This video will show you how to fillet and prepare squid, a useful skill which can be applied to a variety of Japanese dishes. Please feel free to refer to this article whenever you need a reminder of how to prepare squid! First, the squid's innards must be removed. Place your hand inside the body of the squid and simply pull out the innards. Pinching the fins at the top of the squids body while removing the innards will make this step easier. Next, the cartilage must be removed from inside of the body of the squid. Tips to Make Your Ika Somen Taste Delicious Source :YouTube screenshot It's important to properly remove all of the skin from the squid. Holding the fins, peel off the skin of the squid from top to bottom. With the skin intact, the squid appears red, but removing the skin will reveal the white, smooth flesh underneath. After removing the skin, insert your knife into the area where the cartilage used to be and cut the squid vertically to open it up. If, after opening up the squid, you find some remaining innards, use the knife to remove them and quickly clean the flesh. Next, you must cut into the flesh near the top of the squid to help you remove the thin membrane that is attached to the inside of the body. Doing this will ensure the flesh is smooth and improve the texture of the squid. Prepare the fins of the squid in the same way. Finally, give the squid a quick rinse with cold water and use a dish cloth to remove any excess moisture. You can use the dish cloth to lightly scrub the skin in order to remove any remaining membrane or innards. This is another key tip to ensure your squid tastes delicious. Your Ika Somen is almost ready! Time to Turn the Squid Into Ika Somen Source :YouTube screenshot All that's left to do now is to line up the edges of the squid and cut the flesh into thin strips. This is the highlight of the video! To make the Ika Somen, first the outer flesh must be removed, as only the inner flesh will be used to make Ika Somen. To do this, the chef inserts the knife at one end of the flesh and carefully slices off the thin outer layer. You can see how this is done at 9:50 in the video. As you can see, this requires a lot of skill and experience to do well. Next, take the prepared squid flesh and cut it vertically into thin strips. Cutting the flesh with the knife in a pulling motion, as you would with meat or fish, is one of the fundamentals of Japanese cooking. Squid Sashimi Goes Great With Alcohol! The prepared squid sashimi, or Ika Somen, is usually served roughly mixed in a Japanese style dish. The squid is then topped with grated ginger and lightly dressed with soy sauce. It's best to mix the squid with the toppings before eating. At 13:00 in the video, you can see the squid being served alongside Japanese sake (called "nihonshu" in Japanese). If you enjoy drinking, you'll really appreciate this delicious dish that goes down smooth with a drink. In this video, the Japanese chef demonstrates how to prepare Ika Somen using fresh squid. We hope you enjoyed learning some of the tips and tricks required to prepare this dish. After watching the video, are you feeling up to making your own Ika Somen?

Traditional Japanese Gourmet! Introducing Katakami Soy Sauce From Nara Prefecture This video, titled "[Beautiful Japan] Nara｜Gose Katakami Soy Sauce" (【美しき日本】奈良 御所 片上醤油), was released by "Nippon Archives" (ニッポンアーカイブス). Soy sauce is an indispensable seasoning for Japanese cuisine, which Japan is proud to present to the world. It is such a versatile seasoning that it's difficult to find ingredients that don't go with soy sauce. There is a wide variety of soy sauces, and each has a different culture and recipe, from manufacturing methods to raw ingredients. This time we'll be introducing Katakami Shoyu (Soy Sauce), a long-established brewery in Nara Prefecture. You can see the deep world of Katakami Soy Sauce that the craftsmen talk about, so be sure to watch the video to see all of the details. Traditional Japanese Gourmet! The Tradition and History of Katakami Soy Sauce From Nara Prefecture Source :YouTube screenshot The Katakami Soy Sauce Brewery is located in Gose, Nara in Japan's Kansai Region. You can Katakami Soy Sauce's brewery from 0:19 in the video. Soy sauce is a traditional seasoning that has been handed down since ancient times in Japan and is made by putting soybeans in a large vat and fermenting and aging them. Its taste and aroma have attracted a great deal of attention in the world of gourmet cooking. Katakami Soy Sauce is a long-established soy sauce brewery founded in 1931. In a quiet village at the foot of the mountain, soybeans from Nara prefecture are used as the main raw ingredient, and craftsmen have handed down the traditional Japanese method of making soy sauce, which involves fermenting and aging soy beans in a large tub made of cedar. Of course, the soy sauce is additive-free and unadjusted, so it would not be possible to produce without the skills of skilled craftsmen. The supreme Katakami Soy Sauce made with time and effort can be purchased online. Also, if you make a reservation in advance, you can even visit the brewery! Be sure to check it out Traditional Japanese Gourmet! How To Make Katakami Soy Sauce From Nara Prefecture Source :YouTube screenshot Katakami soy sauce is made by the same process as traditional soy sauce making, except that it uses soybeans from Nara prefecture and homemade koji mold as an ingredient. Here, we will briefly explain how to make and produce traditional soy sauce, so be sure to follow along with the video as it's filled with the secrets of soy sauce! - Making Koji Mold 1. Wheat is roasted until it is charred and then crushed roughly with a pestle. 2. Soybeans are soaked in water overnight and then boiled in a kettle. 3. The soybean broth is discarded and the remains are combined with roasted and crushed wheat. 4. Koji mold is mixed in and left in a room kept at 30 degrees for approximately 3 days (Video: 3:35 ～] - From here, a container is filled with the mixture in a mountain shape to keep it warm, and when self-heating begins, it is flattened to dissipate heat. - It's important to be careful with temperature control as the activity of koji mold will stop when the temperature rises above 40 degrees Celsius. 5. When the mixture has a green tinge, it is soaked in salt water. 6. The mixture is prepared at a ratio of soybean 1, wheat 1, 20% salt water 3. 7. The mixture is stored in a cool place, with the whole vat being stirred once every 3 days and being left to ferment for about 2 months. 8. The mixture is aged for 6 months to 1 year (brewing). 9. The liquid is warmed to approximately 70 degrees and sterilized (heat is applied and the production of moromi (unrefined soy-sauce) is complete) 10. It is then spread on a clean cloth, folded, and pressure is applied and it is slowly squeezed out (Video: 4:00 ～] 11. After that they bottle it and it's done! Traditional Japanese Gourmet! Summary of Katakami Soy Sauce in Nara Prefecture Source :YouTube screenshot Katakami Soy Sauce from Nara prefecture, which is currently attracting a lot of attention as a traditional Japanese gourmet seasoning, cannot be mass-produced, so it's recommended to reserve gifts and purchases as soon as possible. In addition to Katakami Soy Sauce, there are several other well-established soy sauce breweries in Nara prefecture. Daimon Shoyu (Soy Sauce), which has been in business for over 100 years, is one such brewery. The taste of long-aged naturally brewed soy sauce that has been passed down from generation to generation creates a versatile gourmet seasoning that can be used with nearly any ingredients. Consider purchasing some delicious soy sauce during your next trip to Japan! The video also talks about the hardships and passions of the brewery craftsmen making the Katakami soy sauce. Learning about the struggles of the brewers makes the soy sauce that they put their heart and soul into taste even more delicious.

Grandma's Osechi-ryori: Video Introduction This video, titled "Grandma's Recipes｜Grandma Masami's Osechi" (Grandma's Recipes｜まさみおばあちゃんのおせち), was uploaded by "Grandma's Recipes." Osechi-ryori is a traditional Japanese dish eaten on New Year's in Japan. In Japan, people are so accustomed to Osechi-ryori that many people don't know about the meanings attached to the dish. In this article, we'll take a look at traditional Japanese Osechi-ryori through the recipes of Grandma Masami who has lived through 4 Japanese eras. Grandma Masami left her parents' house at the age of 8 and began working, and she is now 99 years old. In just half of her life, she endured many hardships, including two wars, the Great Kanto Earthquake, the Isewan Typhoon, the Great Hanshin Earthquake, and the Great East Japan Earthquake. Even so, she says with a smile how she lived an ordinary life. In this day and age when it's difficult to live an "ordinary life," these words must have a very significant meaning. The purpose of these videos is to learn recipes for happiness from energetic grandmothers over the age of 80 who have lived through turbulent lives. This video focuses on Osechi-ryori, a recipe for happiness handed down by a grandma in Nagano, Japan. The History of Osechi and Its Name Photo：Osechi-ryori Osechi-ryori was originally prepared as an offering to New Year's gods during seasonal festivals, such as Sechie (an official event held at the Japanese Imperial Court on national holidays) and Sekku. It is said that it was not until the Edo period (1603-1868 A.D.) that they began to be served in stacked boxes and prepared as New Year's dishes as they are in modern-day Japan. "Osechi" is written as either "お節" or "御節" in Japanese. This naming also comes from Sekku, and the common interpretation is that the meaning is an abbreviation of Sechie. Classic and Regional Recipes for Osechi-ryori Photo：Osechi-ryori, three side dishes Although there are regional differences in osechi-ryori recipes, the basic recipe consists of three celebratory dishes (three side dishes), nishime (simmered vegetables), sunomono (pickled or vinegared food), and yakimono (grilled food). These three dishes are commonly made across Japan with black soybeans and herring roe. However, there is a difference: in Japan's Kanto region they use gomame (dried young anchovies), while in the Kansai region they use tataki-gobou (burdock root seasoned with sesame). The most common style of osechi-ryori is to use a four-tiered box containing 20 to 30 different dishes. Some of the most popular classic dishes in osechi-ryori are datemaki (a rolled omelette mixed with fish paste), kinton (mashed sweet potatoes), kohaku namasu (thinly sliced carrots and daikon radish), kamaboko, grilled sea bream, teriyaki amberjack, simmered tiger prawns, boiled clam, kombu-maki (sliced dried herring or other fish wrapped in kombu seaweed and boiled), and chikuzenni. The use of such auspicious and high-quality ingredients as sea bream, amberjack, and prawns gives the dish a celebratory atmosphere on this special day. In recent years, ingredients for osechi-ryori can be found in supermarkets after Christmas. There are many items that are nearly fully prepared, so osechi-ryori are relatively convenient to eat nowadays. The Meanings Behind Osechi-ryori Photo：Osechi-ryori, kurikinton Here are some of the meanings and hopes attached to osechi-ryori. ●Kurikinton (chestnuts and mashed sweet potatoes) In addition to its gorgeous and beautiful golden appearance, chestnuts are said to bring good luck in victory and prosperity. ●Kuromame (black soybeans) This dish is to wish for good health and the power to work another year. ●Kazunoko (herring roe) This dish is associated with wishes for prosperity of one's children. This dish is a celebratory food, and is associated with fertility. Photo：Osechi-ryori, Kombu-maki ●Kombu-maki Kombu is associated with happiness and comfort in old age. Kombu-maki, a type of kelp roll, is also used as a symbol of union and contains wishes of prosperity for one's offspring. Grandma Masami's One-Person Osechi-ryori It is becoming more and more common to have osechi-ryori delivered on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day in Japan, rather than making them at home, through commercial or online delivery services. Osechi-ryori themselves are becoming more and more varied, with Chinese, French, and even children's osechi-ryori appearing at the end of the year, rather than being solely Japanese style. The focus of this video, Grandma Masami, is now 99 years old! She lives alone, but she makes her own osechi-ryori every year. Although it looks like a simple osechi for one person, the handmade miso soup made from dried sardines, walnut rice cakes, steamed rolls, kinpira, namasu, and nishime all look delicious. [Video] 5:00 - Making Burdock and Carrot Kinpira [Video] 7:14 - Making Steamed Rolls Soybeans – The Secret to a Long Life? Photo：Soybeans When Grandma Masami is asked about the secret to her long life, she explains how she was poor and worked hard, but ate a lot of soybeans and other legumes, saying that maybe this was the secret to her good health. When Grandma Masami is asked about the secret to her long life, she explains how she was poor and worked hard, but ate a lot of soybeans and other legumes, saying that maybe this was the secret to her good health. Soy sauce, miso, natto, tofu, okara (soy pulp), and soybean flour. We can see that soybeans are as important an ingredient in the Japanese diet as rice. It's also an essential ingredient for making osechi-ryori. Soybeans are said to be a "kanzen shokuzai" (完全食材, a food that contains all the nutrients necessary for humans to maintain good health) with a well-balanced combination of lecithin, dietary fiber, isoflavones, protein, carbohydrates, and various vitamins and minerals. It's no exaggeration to say that soybeans are the secret to the longevity of the Japanese people. Soybeans have played a prominent role in Japanese food and the health of the Japanese people since the Heian period nearly a thousand years ago. Summary of a Japanese Grandma's Osechi-ryori While gorgeous osechi-ryori are a feast for the eyes, simple and healthy homemade osechi-ryori like Grandma Masami's recipes are also good. Why not try making your own this winter?

Learn How to Make Chasen Nasu From a Chef – Video Introduction This video, titled "[Eggplant Recipe] How to Make Chasen Nasu" (【茄子レシピ】茶筅茄子 作り方 一例), was uploaded by "Japanese cuisine channel." In this video, Hiroyuki Deguchi, a chef in Kumamoto, Japan, teaches use some useful Japanese cooking techniques. Chasen nasu (lit. "Tea Whisk Eggplant") is a common eggplant decorations used in Japanese dishes. It's difficult to find Japanese cooking recipes directly from Japan, but this chef shows in detail how to cut, and season small eggplants. Even if you can't understand Japanese, the video is easy to follow, and we'll also have a step-by-step guide below. You're sure to get hang of it in no time! Be sure to follow along with the video. Japanese Eggplants vs. Other Eggplants The Japanese word for eggplant is "nasu" (茄子). Compared to eggplants in other parts of the world, which are often round and have a harder skin, Japanese eggplants are characterized by their long, slender body and dark purple coloring. Japanese eggplants are similar to American eggplants in color, but are quite different than say, Chinese eggplants, which have a much lighter color. How to Choose an Eggplant Photo：Eggplant The chef in this video uses a small eggplant. The trick to knowing whether an eggplant is good is to check the color of the cut end of the calyx (the leafy portion at the top of the eggplant) after cutting the stem. The darker the color, the less fresh the eggplant is. Additionally, fresh eggplants are characterized by prickly thorns on the calyx, and smooth skin on the surface. Be sure to check these points when picking an eggplant. [Video] 0:09 - How to Tell if an Eggplant Is Fresh Preparation of the Eggplant Photo：Cutting the eggplant The next step is to prepare the eggplants. First, scrape off the thorns of the eggplant with a knife and cut off the tip of the calyx, then, cut off the calyx. At this point, put the kitchen knife blade on the calyx and slowly turn the eggplant without moving the knife to remove it. You can see a simple demonstration of this in the video. [Video] 0:46 - Preparing the Eggplant How to Cut Chasen Nasu Once you've finished preparing the eggplant, it's time to cut the eggplant into a tea whisk shape. Using your knife, cut the eggplant vertically towards the center. Continue to rotate the eggplant little-by-little, making cuts as close together as possible. Slices can be deep towards the eggplant’s center, or shallow depending on how you want to cut it. Make slices all around the body of the eggplant while leaving the head and bottom uncut. [Video] 1:46 - Decorative Cuts for Chasen Nasu Deep Frying the Eggplants Next, fry the prepared eggplants in oil at 180°C (355°F). It's important to let the eggplants fry steadily for about 2 minutes. From there, remove one from the oil and stick it with a skewer; if it goes in smoothly, it's well fried. Remove all of the eggplants from the oil and remove the excess oil to the best of your ability. Simmer the Eggplants in Warishita Sauce and Cool Them to Complete Photo：Warishita sauce Simmer the fried eggplants with warishita sauce prepared with the following ratio. Warishita Sauce: Dashi 5:Soy sauce 1:Mirin (cooking sake) 1:Sugar a pinch Simmer the eggplants in warishita sauce about one minute. Then, cover the pan with parchment paper and let them cool for about 30 minutes to let the flavor sink in. Finally, remove the eggplants from the pan. While holding the head of one of the eggplants, twist it to make it look like a bamboo tea whisk; do this for each eggplant. Place the eggplants in a bowl, pour dashi over them, and you're done! Decorative Eggplant Cuts for Tempura The video also introduces another decorative cut for small eggplants. Start by cutting a small eggplant in half. Then, using the tip of a knife, make vertical cuts on the eggplant. Finally, pat the body of the eggplant with the side of the knife; this will cause the eggplant to open into a beautiful fan-like shape. [Video] 2:56 - How to Cut Eggplant for Tempura The Different Varieties of Eggplants Photo：Different eggplant varieties Despite eggplants being known as summer vegetables in Japan, some people say eggplants are best suited for the fall. In general, eggplant season is from early summer to early fall in Japan, although there are some varieties that can be enjoyed starting in late April. Do you know of the different types of eggplants in Japan? First, there are the small eggplants shown in the video. "Konasu" (小茄子, lit. "Small eggplants") is the general term for eggplants that are around 3 inches long and weigh approximately 30 grams (1 ounce). Yamagata and Kyoto are two areas in Japan that are famous for their eggplants. Besides the simmered chasen nasu recipe we have seen, eggplant is often pickled in Japan as well. Karashizuke (a local specialty of Yamagata prefecture) made from eggplant goes great with rice! Another popular eggplant is Naganasu (長茄子, lit "long eggplants), which are often sold in supermarkets in Japan. This eggplant has soft flesh and is suitable for dishes like mabo nasu (fried eggplant with Chinese chili sauce). Marunasu and Beinasu, which are round in shape, are recommended for Miso Dengaku (a dish in which tofu, vegetables, etc. are skewered, grilled, and coated with a miso glaze) because of their tender flesh. Another famous eggplant is Mizunasu. This variety of eggplant is cultivated in southern Osaka. Their skin is thin and soft so they can be eaten raw, and they are known to be sweet and juicy. In addition, there are eggplants with a green skin called Aonasu and even a variety of eggplant called Shironasu, which has white skin. Chasen Nasu Eggplant Decoration & Recipe Summary Some of the recipes for chasen nasu are quick and easy to prepare in a microwave using a microwave-safe container and mentsuyu (a type of noodle sauce made with dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar). It's very easy to make and convenient when you don't have a lot of time. That being said, we definitely recommend taking the time to recreate a professional flavor. You can also try cutting the eggplant into decorative shapes so it's a feast for both the eyes and mouth! We hope this easy chasen nasu eggplant recipe has sparked your interest in Japanese cooking!

Check Out the Video on How To Make Hand-Rolled Sushi! This video, titled "A Sushi Chef Teaches You in 2 Minutes! Learn How To Roll Your Own Beautiful Sushi Rolls!" (寿司職人が2分で教える！手巻き寿司を激的に綺麗に巻くコツを伝授), was released by "Sushi Technology Channel" (寿司の技術チャンネル). Sushi is a Japanese food with which you can feel Japan's unique traditional culture. Sushi comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, but the hand-rolled sushi shown in the video is one of the most popular recipes among people of all ages. In this article, we'll introduce the ingredients and how to make delicious hand-rolled sushi alongside the video. How to Make the Beautiful Hand-Rolled Sushi Shown in the Video Photo：Hand-rolled sushi First, check the front and back of the seaweed as shown at 0:17 in the video, and place it on the makisu (bamboo mat) with the rough side (back) facing up. The key to making a good wrap is to put rice on this seaweed in a triangular shape, covering about a quarter of the area of the seaweed. This can be seen from 0:25 in the video. Following this, add wasabi, spreading it over the rice evenly and then add the other ingredients. After that, roll up the seaweed, taking the bottom right corner of the seaweed and folding it over the rice. It's recommended that you add soy sauce to the finished sushi. Making hand-rolled sushi requires skill, but after a few tries and some dedication to flavor anyone can make it. At 1:19 in the video, the hand-rolled sushi that was made is disassembled once more to show how simple it is to make. Various Ingredients to Make Your Very Own Delicious, Hand-Rolled Sushi! Photo：Ingredients for hand-rolled sushi The appeal of hand-rolled sushi is that you can enjoy making different variations by using a wide variety of ingredients. Ingredients that can be used for hand-rolled sushi include popular ingredients like tuna, salmon, thinly fried eggs, and cucumber, as well as chopped perilla and Japanese ginger, salad vegetables, and natto. It's also fun to make hand-rolled sushi using out of the ordinary ingredients, such as fried chicken, flavored ground chicken or beef, etc. The hand-rolled sushi shown in the video uses medium fatty tuna as its main ingredient. Suimono (clear broth soups) and miso soup are two dishes that go great with hand-rolled sushi. Another fun thing you can try is getting a bunch of different ingredients together and have a rolled sushi making party with friends! Summary of Japan's Delicious Rolled-Sushi Photo：Hand-rolled sushi In this article we introduced a video that shows how to make tasty hand-rolled sushi. Hand-rolled sushi is a popular dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from standard ingredients like sashimi and fried egg to slightly more unusual main ingredients. If you want to enjoy Japanese food unique to Japan, we recommend getting some ingredients you enjoy and making your own hand-rolled sushi to enjoy!

Video introduction of Japanese food at Irori, a famous restaurant in Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. This video, titled "Chef Masashi Yamada Serves Wild Game Hunted in the Mountains of Japan — Omakase Japan," was released by "Eater." It introduces the Japanese restaurant Yanagiya in Mizunami, hidden deep in the mountains of Gifu prefecture. Yanagiya is a famous Japanese restaurant and has been highly rated as the number one restaurant on Tabelog (a popular review sites for restaurants, hotels, etc. in Japan). It was ranked among the world's top 10 out of more than 16,000 restaurants in 2019 by La Liste, a French restaurant guide that showcases outstanding gastronomic establishments from around the world, and also received an award for outstanding regional cuisine. Many customers from all over the world come to Yanagiya to eat the local cuisine prepared by Chef Masashi. A Closer Look at Yanagiya, One of the Finest Restaurants in Japan Source :YouTube screenshot Yanagiya is a famous restaurant in Mizunami, Gifu, that serves exquisite regional cuisine using fresh, local ingredients. The restaurant is popular for its Japanese cuisine prepared on an irori. At 3:13 in the video, you can see the food being cooked on the restaurant's irori. An irori is a sunken hearth in the center of a room in older Japanese houses. The irori is blanketed with charcoal, and wood or charcoal is burned in it for heating or cooking purposes. The irori reflects the historical wisdom of Japan to create a space where people can gather in a circle to enjoy local cuisine in a heated room. Seasonal Japanese Food at Yanagiya – Taste the Four Seasons of Japan Source :YouTube screenshot A Variety of gourmet Japanese dishes, including popular game dishes, are prepared over Yanagiya's irori. The menu at Yanagiya features a variety of local ingredients, such as wild vegetables, river fish, (including sweetfish), eel, grilled duck skewers, and mushrooms, such as matsutake mushrooms, which give guests a taste of Japan's four seasons. Another popular dish on the menu is the delicious duck hot pot featured at 6:51 in the video. If you're not sure what kind of Japanese food to order, we recommend the Japanese course meal (和食コース料理) as it’s a great way to sample a variety of local cuisine. Summary of Yanagiya, a Restaurant Where You Can Enjoy Delicious Local Cuisine Over an Irori Source :YouTube screenshot As shown in the video, one of the unique characteristics about the way the chefs at Yanagiya prepare their dishes is the fluid handling of ingredients and instruments. The quick and experienced knife skills of the chefs will even provide entertainment for your meal. The cuisine cooked on the irori of Yanagiya is sure to create a lasting impression. Yanagiya is a famous restaurant, so be sure to make reservations in advance. ◆Yanagiya｜General Information◆ 【Address】573-27, Mashizume, Sue, Mizunami, Gifu Prefecture (〒509-6361 Gifu, Mizunami, 陶町猿爪573-27) 【Access】20 minutes by taxi from Mizunami Station on the Chuo Line 【Hours】[Mon. – Sat.] 12:00 - 15:00, 17:00 - 22:00, [Sun.] 12:00 - 15:00, 17:00 - 21:00 【Closures】Irregular holidays 【Telephone】0572-65-2102 【Remarks】Yanagiya uses a 100% reservation system. You will be unable to dine without one. 【Yelp】Yanagiya (柳家) https://www.yelp.com/biz/%E6%9F%B3%E5%AE%B6-%E7%91%9E%E6%B5%AA%E5%B8%82-2

Yakisoba at Japan's Festival Stalls This video, titled "Japanese yakisoba street food japan how to make yakisoba" (物凄い焼きそば女職人 焼きそば屋台 職人芸 無修正 ノーカット Japanese yakisoba street food japan how to make yakisoba[飯テロ公式]), was released by "JAPAN FOOD 〜 The Ultimate Food Porn 〜" (JAPAN FOOD 〜最高の飯テロ〜). The video shows how yakisoba is made at food stalls at festivals in Japan. In the video, the yakisoba chef works quickly to prepare a huge amount of yakisoba, an amazing feat that you'd be hard pressed to imitate. Check out the amazing skills in the video! How Delicious Festival Yakisoba is Made! Photo：A yakisoba stand Yakisoba is a popular food that is relatively easy to make at home. Prepare some Chinese noodles and cabbage, throw it into an oiled pan, add water and fry it up. After stir-frying the noodles, season with yakisoba sauce. We recommend trying it with some mayonnaise or adding pickled ginger on the side, two authentic ways of serving it in Japan. Yakisoba sold at Japanese food stands are generally sold in small plastic containers, as shown at 3:38 in the video. What is the charm of the yakisoba stand that is shown in the video? Photo：yakisoba stand Of course, homemade yakisoba is delicious, but there's just something about the yakisoba at festivals that will have you coming back for more. The food stands found at festivals across Japan use plenty of ingredients, and season them all at once with tasty seasonings. Making a lot of yakisoba at once is a lot of work, especially when doing it for hours on end. As a staple food of festivals, yakisoba can be purchased at a reasonable price, generally costing around 200 to 500 yen, depending on the area. Different Varieties of Yakisoba Photo：Yakisoba sandwich There are many different recipes for yakisoba, so try cooking it at home or if you're in Japan, be sure to visit a specialty store. Yakisoba sanwiches with yakisoba sandwiched between a hotdog bun is popular as a light snack that anyone can enjoy. There are also local recipes from different regions of Japan, such as omusoba and sobameshi. Yakisoba can be seasoned in a number of ways. In addition to yakisoba sauce, there's also yakisoba made with Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and oyster sauce, salt and pepper, and even miso. Summary of Japan's Delicious Yakisoba Stands Photo：A yakisoba stand The video introduced in this article shows how large amounts of yakisoba is made at festivals in Japan. It's quite impressive, and if you haven't eaten yet, it might just have you in the mood for some tasty noodles! Be sure to try some delicious yakisoba when visiting any of Japan's exciting festivals.

Video introduction of craftsmanship at Kyogoku Kaneyo, an eel specialty restaurant in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture This video, titled "Kyogoku Kaneyo: A Grilled Eel Master in Kyoto｜the Art of an Eel Master Who Has Been Serving Grilled Eel for 58 Years" (５８年間ひたすら鰻を焼き続けた鰻爺の職人技「京極　かねよ」), was uploaded by "WAZAIRO." It showcases the artisanal skills of the chef, from how the unagi (freshwater eel) is prepared to how the fluffy Japanese omelette is placed on top. What Is Kabayaki? Photo：Eel kabayaki Kabayaki is a method of cooking used in Japan wherein long, thin, scaleless fish are skewered and grilled in a teriyaki style (grilled while covered in a sweet soy sauce marinade). In Japan, this style of cooking is mainly used to prepare eel, but is also used to cook a number of other fish. Records show that kabayaki has existed in Japan since at least the late 1,300s, although the cooking method was different than that of modern day kabayaki. Chawanmushi, the Perfect Umami Flavor to Go With Your Unagi Photo：Chawanmushi The video shows the atmosphere of the restaurant and you can hear all of the appliances, etc. used in the restaurant as well. The chawanmushi (Japanese steamed egg custard), which can be ordered for 600 yen, is a must-try. [Video] 0:45 - How Chawanmushi is Made Kansai-Style vs Kanto-Style Eel – The Different Styles of Eel in Japan After sitting in an ice bath for some time, the eels are then skillfully prepared by the chef. Although "Kaneyo" is a restaurant in Kyoto, they use the Kanto-style of preparing and grilling eels, known as "Edoyaki." Let's take a look at the differences between Kansai-style and Kanto-style eel. Kansai-style: The eels are opened from the belly, skewered without being steamed, and then grilled with the head still on the skewer and removed later. Kanto-style: The eels are opened from the back, steamed, skewered, and the head is removed before grilling. In the video, the eel is dexterously skewered and steamed by the chef. The steamed eel is dipped into the sauce and then broiled. The eels are grilled rapidly, with the cooking conditions carefully monitored by the skilled chef. [Video] 2:04 - Preparing and Cooking Eel What is Kinshi-don? The Specialty of Kyogoku Kaneyo Photo：Kinshi-don kinshi-don is the signature dish of Kyogoku Kaneyo, but what is it exactly? Kinshi-don refers to an eel bowl with a fluffy Japanese egg on top. In the video, you can see how the fluffy egg is cooked between two stoves with different heat levels, adjusting the heat to get the perfect omelette. The resulting dish, with a large, fluffy egg protruding from the bowl is both photogenic and delicious! Underneath the egg you'll find the perfectly cooked eel. Peeling back the egg to see the delicious eel underneath is part of what makes this dish such a treat. [Video] 15:40 - Cooking the Egg Used for Kinshi-don A Summertime Eel Eating Tradition in Japan Photo：Unaju Eel is known to be rich in vitamins, and as such, it became tradition to eat it during the summer months to ward off the fatigue caused by Japan's hot summers. The most common day for this is Doyo no Ushi no Hi, or "The Midsummer Day of the Ox." In 2023, this day falls on July 30 (Mon.). If you're looking to try some tasty Japanese eel, consider trying it on a hot summer day to beat the heat! Unagi vs Anago: The Different Types of Eel in Japan Photo：Anago (conger eel) sushi There are two types of eel commonly eaten in Japan: unagi and anago. Unagi is a freshwater eel, whereas anago (conger eel) is a saltwater eel. In terms of flavor, unagi (うなぎ) is known to have a richer flavor, while anago are said to have a lighter flavor. Because of this, unagi is often prepared in a kabayaki style, while anago is often steamed or prepared as tempura. As for nutrients, unagi generally has far more vitamins than anago. Kyogoku Kaneyo, a Restaurant in Kyoto You Don't Want to Miss! Kyogoku Kaneyo is located in downtown Kawaramachi, in the Nakagyo Ward of Kyoto. Founded in the early Taisho period (1912-1926), the restaurant boasts a traditional Japanese atmosphere and the same delicious taste, with eel grilled using a secret sauce that has been passed down for 100 years. The superb dishes have even earned it a spot in the Kyoto Michelin Guide. The second-floor tatami room has a relaxing atmosphere, and yose performances are held there each month. If you're into rakugo and other Japanese performance arts, we recommend checking it out. ◆Kyogoku Kaneyogura◆ 【Address】456 Matsugaecho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8034 【Telephone】075-221-0669 【Closed】Closed on Wednesdays 【Parking】No private parking lot, please use a nearby paid parking lot 【Access】 -From JR Kyoto Station, take the No. 5 city bus to Kawaramachi Sanjo (河原町三条) and walk 2 minutes. -A 5-minute walk from Kyoto City Hall on the Tozai Subway Line -A 5-minute walk from Sanjo Keihan Station on the Keihan Main Line

Introduction of the omelette rice recipe divine video of "Yokohama Tachibana-tei" in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture. This video is titled “Graceful Skills, Yokohama Tachibanatei, Omelette Rice Performance, Uncut ｜ Awesome Cooking Demo of Fluffy Japanese Omurice（華麗な技 横濱たちばな亭 オムライスパフォーマンス ノーカット | Awesome Cooking Demo of Fluffy Japanese Omelette Rice）” created by “LifeWith505” and it introduces the omurice-making process of “Yokohama Tachibanatei,” a famous Japanese restaurant introduced in television programs and magazines. The quick hands when stir-frying the chicken rice in the pan and the incredible skill of making the fluffy omelette that is placed atop the chicken rice is artistic and flashy. What is Yokohama Tachibanatei? Photo： Yokohama Minatomirai｜Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Yokohama Tachibanatei, located in Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse and Cubic Plaza Shin-Yokohama in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a famous restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Western dishes in Japan and whose most popular dish is its omurice. It’s always crowded during lunch, and its artistically-made omurice is enjoyed not just by the Japanese, but by foreigners as well. The key to its popularity is not just its aesthetic beauty, but also the fact that you can watch the live performance of the omurice being cooked, as this video introduces. In fact, omurice is said to be a Japanese dish made in Japan and its recipes and ingredients differ from restaurant to restaurant. However, this omurice “Omurice of a Western Food Restaurant” uses a recipe where a runny half-cooked egg is placed on the top of some chicken rice. In this video, you can see the amazing performances of the omurice-professionals of Yokohama Tachibanatei, a source of pride for Japan. The Chicken Rice Recipe of Yokohama Tachibanatei Source :YouTube screenshot The key to making the chicken rice, which will become the foundation of the omurice, is to stir-fry it with lots of butter and to make use of the savory flavor of the sauce and ketchup! While stir-frying the rice on a pan with hot butter, you add the first sauce (0:37). After adjusting the flavor with some salt and pepper and then giving it a mix, you add the second sauce at (1:13). Their ability to shake the frying pan without dropping a single piece of rice is truly the skill of a professional. The Fluffy Half-Cooked Egg Recipe of Yokohama Tachibanatei Source :YouTube screenshot The cooking process of the omelette that will be placed on top of the chicken rice begins at 2:28. You make the runny half-cooked eggs by putting a generous amount of mixed eggs in a pan with hot butter and then adjusting the intensity of the heat while finely shaking the chopsticks and the pan. This is the biggest highlight of this video! When the cooked egg flies through the air and lands on the chicken rice, the omelette splits beautifully, showing its fluffy, runny insides! This amazing cooking skill, that separates the amateurs from the pros, will make you go wild. You can see this from 3:21 in the video. If you want to carefully observe the omelette being placed on the chicken rice, we recommend watching the slowed-down version from 3:25. Summary of Yokohama Tachibanatei's Omurice “Yokohama Tachibanatei,” is a Western restaurant where you can enjoy not just the delicious omurice made with a special recipe, but also the incredible professional skills of the cooks. An original demi-glace sauce full of savory deliciousness is poured over the omurice, and you you'll be filled with satisfaction for the mere price of 880 yen (~$8 USD). Yokohama Tachibanatei, the restaurant introduced in this video, is located in Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, which is overflowing with diverse foreign cultures, gives the feeling of being inside a Western-style house, and is a popular restaurant highly rated on gourmet websites. In addition to the omurice, the menu also has dishes such as cutlet sandwiches and curry rice. In the Shin-yokohama restaurant, you can also get some take-out dishes such as tonkatsu bento (pork cutlet lunchbox). It’s a popular restaurant, so you may need to reserve some seats depending on the time you visit, but please visit the restaurant and enjoy the delicious taste of the omurice and the amazing cooking skills that you can watch live, both the pride and joy of Japan! ◆Yokohama Tachibanatei, Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Restaurant◆ 【Address】First floor of Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Building No.2, 1-1-2 Shinko (新港, Shinko), Naka Ward (中区, Nakaku), Yokohama City 【Access】6 minutes by foot from Minatomirai Line Bashamichi Station (馬車道駅, Bashamichieki), Nihon-Odori Station (日本大通り駅,Nihonodorieki) 【Hours】11:00〜21:00 【Closures】None 【Parking】None 【Telephone No】045-650-8752 【Official Website】Red Brick Warehouse Restaurant ｜ Western Food Yokohama Tachibanatei https://yokohama-tachibana.net/akarenga/

A Look at the Japanese Hot Pot Dish Shabu Shabu Omakase This video, titled "Chef Mako Okano Serves the World's Only Shabu-Shabu Omakase — Omakase," was released by "Eater." The video introduces Mako Okano, a female chef at a Japanese restaurant in New York that offers "Shabu-shabu," a Japanese style hot pot dish, in an "Omakase" format. Introduced in the video is the Japanese restaurant "Macoron," a new style "Shabu-shabu" restaurant in New York where Mako Okano cooks dishes using traditional Japanese ingredients while guests enjoy the show from their counter seats. Shabu-shabu - Original Japanese Cuisine Photo：Shabu-shabu "Shabu-shabu" is a Japanese dish in which thinly sliced meat is dipped in a pot containing soup stock to cook, and then dipped in ponzu or sesame sauce. In addition to meat, vegetables, tofu, and other ingredients are also boiled and then dipped in sauces creating a delicious assortment of flavors. It's said that the name comes from the onomatopoeia "shabu-shabu," which is the sound the meat makes while being pulled through the soup stock while held with chopsticks. "Shabu-shabu" is popular as a Japanese gourmet food, and it is a popular dish you can enjoy at Japanese restaurants as well as at home, with family and friends gathered around the pot. In Japanese shabu-shabu, there is no person designated to do the cooking, rather, each person "shabu-shabus" (dips the meat into the pot) and eats their desired portion. Mako Okano's Original "Shabu-shabu Omakase" Source :YouTube screenshot The dishes offered by Mako Okano start with appetizers, such as "Dashimaki Tamago" (a type of Japanese rolled omelet), abalone, yuba (tofu skin) and raw sea urchin, and tofu that is cooked via shabu-shabu. After that, the main Wagyu beef shabu-shabu is served with vegetables. This can be seen from 1:30 in the video. Mako Okano dips the thinly sliced meat of A5 or A4 ranked beef, which has the highest balance of lean and fat, several times in the boiling soup stock and serves it to customers after it's perfectly cooked. There are 4 types of sauces used in addition to the major Japanese ponzu and sesame sauces. The course is also original in that it's finished with soba noodles made by Mako Okano, who has worked at a soba restaurant herself. Soba is also one of the representative gourmet foods in Japan. Summary Shabu Shabu Macoron - A Popular Shabu-shabu Restaurant in New York Source :YouTube screenshot Mako Okano points out that the charm of her original Japanese shabu-shabu is that boiling the meat removes excess fat, so that the stomach doesn't feel heavy after eating it, and it also doesn't leave you feeling lethargic. Mako Okano also mentions that she wants to combine Japanese soba with shabu-shabu as it's good for one's health. By using Japanese ingredients and shabu-shabu recipes outside of Japan, she's able to share Japan's delicious cuisine with the world.

Video introduction of how to cook eel at "Kawayo" eel restaurant in Narita City, Chiba Prefecture. The video, taken at Kawatoyo, a Meiji style restaurant situated on the way to the Naritasan (Narita Mountain) Shinshoji Temple in Narita, Chiba, shows how the chefs prepare Japanese eel (Unagi) before cooking them. There is a common saying among eel restaurant chefs that gives some insight into how difficult mastering the techniques behind their job is, it goes: “Three years of skewering, eight years of cutting, and a lifetime of grilling.” In spite of the difficulty of this job, the chefs in the video make it look easy, and even enjoyable. In just two minutes, one can easily understand how skilled the chefs at Kawatoyo are. Be sure to follow along with the video as you read the article! Grilled Eel, Narita’s Specialty Photo：Eels When most people think of Narita they think of eel. And it's no surprise either. With its 60 eel restaurants Naritasan, Omotesando has become a popular attraction for both tourists and food lovers alike, and it is conveniently located just a 15 minute walk from the JR Narita Station. Kawatoyo is a well-established shop in Narita, serving grilled eel since 1910. Crowded even on weekdays, part of its popularity is due to the show offered by its chefs working in front of diners. This can be seen in the video as well The skillful maneuvering of tools and knives done on the restaurant's large wooden cutting board, catches the eyes of many tourists, who are impressed by the fascinating sight. Source :YouTube screenshot These are the steps to prepare the eel. Be sure to follow along with the video: 1. Nailing the eel to the board 2. Cutting it open with a knife 3. Gutting it 4. Boning it 5. Slicing it to proper size Because of how difficult it is to perform this procedure both quickly and accurately, apprentices are usually relegated to applying the skewers. Unlike other fish, eels must be killed just before preparing them as their flesh tends to spoil very quickly: so quickly that the speed at which the preparation work is done ends up influencing the taste of the final product. In addition to that, raw eel blood is toxic, and while cooked preparations are safe to eat, handling and preparing the raw product requires great care on the chefs’ part. Some Final Words on Narita Eel Photo：Eel bowl On a normal weekday, the chefs at Kawatoyo prepare a staggering 400 eels for their customers, and this number doubles to a whopping 800 on weekends and holidays. The taste of the grilled eels you can have in this wooden, old fashioned traditional Japanese shop is simply amazing. There are various eel recipes and serving styles in Japanese cuisine: be it rolls, unagi sushi, eel served in traditional wooden boxes or on top of rice bowls. Did you know that grilled eel cooking methods can vary from region to region in Japan? In the East, Kanto-style eels are sliced open from the back, then steamed and only later grilled, making for a richer, more plump texture, while in the West it is more common to have them Kansai-style, following a method that focuses on fragrance and crispness by grilling the eels on their belly directly over a flame. The best you can do is walk your way through Japan and find the style or unagi sauce you like the most. And don’t forget that eels this delicious can only be prepared by skilled, seasoned professionals: do not try this at home! ◆Kawatoyo Honten◆ 【Address】Nakamachi386, Narita, Chiba, Japan,　286-0027 【Access】 By Train　 11 minutes walking from JR Narita station 11 minutes walking from Keisei Narita station By Car: 8.3 km from Narita International Airport (about 20 minutes) 3 km from Aeon Mall Narita (about 10 minutes) 2.5 km from Mega Don Quixote (about 8 minutes) 【Open】10 am to 5 pm (last order) 【Closures】None (subject to change) 【Parking】None 【TEL】0476-22-2711 【Official Website】kawatoyohonten http://www.unagi-kawatoyo.com/foreign/index.html

An Entire Bonito Processed and Turned Into Exquisite Dishes This video, titled "Japanese Street Food - Seared Bonito and Sushi," was uploaded by Japan Food Adventure. If you're going to visit Japan, a country surrounded by water on all sides, then not trying the sushi and other delicious cuisine would be a crime! For those looking to try delicious Japanese cuisine, we recommend trying bonito tataki, one of the most popular sushi items in Japan. This time, let's take a look at how a professional chef makes bonito tataki and nigiri sushi! The video is 22 minutes long, but it’s full of fine details and highlights. Bonito Tataki – A Popular Dish in Japan Photo：Straw roasted bonito tataki Bonito (or skipjack tuna) is a delicious fish that is low in calories and rich in nutrients. It has been a favorite menu item in Japan since ancient times. It's said that the reason why bonito tataki is called "tataki" comes from the sound of the chef tapping the cutting board as he cuts the bonito with his knife (tataku 叩く means "to tap" in Japanese). You can see freshly caught bonito at the beginning of the video, so be sure to check it out. Preparing the Finest Bonito Tataki Source :YouTube screenshot First, at 3:01, you can see the fresh bonito being processed. The traditional way to make roasted bonito tataki is to sear it with straw, as shown at 10:55 in the video. After the surface of the bonito is slowly baked with rice straw, the bonito is quickly cooled in ice water and cut into pieces, as shown at 14:18 in the video. It's also delicious when arranged with Japanese ginger, grated daikon, or thinly sliced onion. Season it with ponzu sauce, dipping sauce, or other seasonings, and you've got yourself a delicious gourmet Japanese dish. The finished bonito tataki can be viewed at 17:17 in the video. In Kochi, a place famous for its bonito, it's standard to eat bonito tataki with salt. Not only can you eat it as it is, but you can also nigiri it with sushi rice, which is shown from 18:12 in the video. Summary of Bonito Tataki Source :YouTube screenshot This video introduced the artisanal skills of a Japanese chef as he processes and prepares bonito with great skill. In Japan, there are many seafood dishes that use an abundance of fresh seafood, such as bonito tataki, grilled fish, and sashimi. If you're looking to taste the finest in Japanese cuisine and learn about Japanese food culture, definitely visit an authentic Japanese restaurant and enjoy lunch or dinner.

日本伝統の「和菓子」紹介動画について こちらの動画は「Japan Video Topics - 日本語」が公開した「伝統の和菓子が魅せる新しい世界」です。 日本人の伝統料理「和食」が無形文化遺産に登録されたのが2013年。 和食はたちまちブームになり、世界中に日本料理店ができました。 そして今、日本食の中でも伝統のお菓子「和菓子」が人気を集めています。 日本特有の季節の風情を反映させ、おもてなしの心が込められる和食と和菓子は、その繊細な見た目と味、そしてヘルシーさが世界中で評価されているのです。 美しい様々な和菓子やその歴史、作り方をこちらの動画でお楽しみください。 日本伝統のお菓子「和菓子」の種類と原料 和菓子には、生菓子、半生菓子、干菓子の大きく3つの種類があります。 生菓子はおはぎや羊羹、練り切りなど水分量が30％以上のお菓子のことを言い、干菓子は落雁（らくがん）やあられなどの水分量が10％以下のもの、半生菓子は最中や饅頭などの生地や餡を組み合わせたものを指します。 いずれの和菓子も基本的な原料として、豆、米類などが使われていて、砂糖以外の食材の甘味を生かしています。 食材は和食のように種類豊富ではありませんが、出来上がるお菓子はその形や色で季節を感じさせてくれます。 見る人の目を楽しませる「練り切り」とレシピ 様々な種類がある和菓子ですが、中でも見た目が美しくて繊細なのが「練り切り」です。 練り切りの材料には、白いんげんなどの白い豆が使われています。 修行を積んだ職人が、豆を煮て潰し、それを練り上げ、色をつけて形を整えて作られます。 この形を整える過程で様々な繊細な細工が施され、四季を色鮮やかに表現することが特徴です。 日本の伝統的なおもてなしの場で 練り切りは、お客様を日本伝統の「お茶」でおもてなしをする際に古くから使われています。 苦味の強いお茶の味を、見た目が美しい和菓子の繊細な甘さがまろやかにするのです。 アートとしての練り切り このように見た目が美しい練り切りを、お菓子の枠を超えて一種の芸術として表現しているのが、和菓子職人の三堀純一氏です。 食べる和菓子としての完成品の練り切りのみならず、その練り切りを作るための様々な小道具、作る過程の和菓子職人の所作など一つ一つに、一般的には見られることがなかった趣があります。 三堀氏は、この練り切りが作られる過程を楽しんでもらう空間を作り上げ、たちまち世界で評価されるようになりました。 見たこともないような専門道具を使いながら繊細な曲線を描き、華やかなアート作品に仕上げていく。 舌を楽しませる前に、目と心を楽しませ、伝統を感じさせる、まさに日本が誇る“おもてなし”の空間を作っていると言えるでしょう。 日本伝統の「和菓子」紹介まとめ 和菓子は四季の情景、静寂、繊細さを感じさせる特有の美しさを持ち合わせています。 ため息が出るほど美しい職人技。 日本のおもてなしの心を伝える和菓子の動画をぜひご覧ください。

This video, titled "Japanese Food - $300 HIGH END SUSHI Teruzushi SUSHIBAE Japan" was produced by Travel Thirsty. Takayoshi Watanabe, the owner of Teruzushi, a sushi restaurant in Tobata, Kitakyushu, makes a variety of sushi. Takayoshi Watanabe's knife handling is nothing short of brilliant. The video is quite long, at nearly 40 minutes, but it's well worth the watch! The eel sushi that appears at 15:15 is absolutely amazing. The rest of the sushi is also tantalizing. If you don't get a chance to visit Japan often, watch this video to get your fill! Also, check out Takayoshi Watanabe's facial expressions...

Video introduction of sushi chef at Sushi Kappou Ueda in Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo This video, titled "日本食ドキュメンタリー　江戸前穴子　Documentary of Japanese "ANAGO SUSHI" 日本美食记录-江户前穴子," introduces the splendor of Japanese food with a focus on Edomae anago (conger eel). In this video, Chef Eiichi Ueda, a sushi chef in Ginza, shows everything from purchasing ingredients to preparation and talks about his passion for Anago. The answer to why Japanese food is loved by so many people around the world may be found in this video. What Is Edomae Anago? Photo：Anago Sushi “Edo” is the old name for Tokyo and Anago was caught in what is now Tokyo bay which is in front of Edo. “Mae” means “in front of” in Japanese. The Edomae Anago absorbs nutrients from the river flowing into Tokyo Bay, and is considered a seafood gourmet that is a symbol of Edomae and is backed by history and culture. Eiichi Ueda, the sushi chef from Ginza, who is also the star of this video, was fascinated by anago, and says that when he purchases anago at Tsukiji fish market, he uses anago caught off the coast of Haneda in Tokyo Bay, and through this, we get an understanding of his dedication to his craft. A Commitment to the Art of Japanese Cuisine Source :YouTube screenshot One of the reasons why Japanese food is as popular as Western food around the world is because of its artisan's extraordinary attention to detail. In this video, Mr. Ueda mentions the significance of the process of buying fish from a trusted supplier, processing it himself, and cooking it using time-tested cooking methods. He is committed to cooking Edomae Anago, and the pride of being a craftsman of Japanese food, is the reason why Japanese food has become one of the most popular gourmet foods in the world today. The Merits of Japanese Food Source :YouTube screenshot The beauty of Japanese food lies in the preparation of each and every ingredient. The pride and responsibility to devote time, effort, and gratitude to every ingredient served to the customer, and to cook with the pride and responsibility of a craftsman is considered to be the essence of Japanese cuisine. They are also very particular about the way they prepare their rice and how to process and prepare fish. Chef Ueda, also says that cooking with gratitude for the ingredients is the only way to bring out the best in them and provide customers with the best food possible. Summary of Edomae Anago In the video, The Japanese craftsmans, Chef Ueda Eichi, shows us Edomae Anago, and what makes Japanese cuisine such an amazing gourmet experience. Watch this video to find out all about why Japanese food has become one of the world's leading gourmet foods. We explained just a small fraction of the video’s contents in this article, so we recommend watching the full video to get the full story. Thanks to Edomae Anago, perhaps even more people will begin to understand and appreciate Japanese cuisine. ◆Sushi Ueda◆ 【Address】Shonan Building B1F 1-14-10 Ginza Chuo Ward Tokyo 【Access】30 minutes walk from Ginzaicchoume Station 【Hours】17:30～23:00 【Closures】Sunday, holiday 【Parking】None 【Telephone No】03-5524-3311 【Yelp】Sushi Ueda https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1301/A130101/13106255/

Introducing Baby Castella Stalls! "Japanese Stall Series: Baby Castella Edition（日本の屋台シリーズ ベビーカステラ編）" is a video that people who love Japanese festival culture and event stalls should definitely watch. Baby Castella is a standard for festival menus. At the stalls, they use a special baking machine similar to a takoyaki machine and bake round and cute castella with amazing craftsmanship. Check out the amazing skills of real craftsmen at baby castella specialty stores that are especially popular at Japanese food stalls. What Are Baby Castella? Origins and How They're Made Photo：Baby Castella It is said that the history of Baby Castella began in the Taisho era (1912 to 1926 AD) with a stall in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture in Japan's Kansai region. A stall craftsman made a menu that closely resembles a commercially available bell castella, and it became a very popular product. You can learn more about how to make baby castella at 0:53 in the video. Just pour the dough into a special baking machine that the craftsman has, close the baking machine lid and bake it. As you can see from 3:34, the baked baby castella uses a skewer to fly neatly into the pom-pom and saucer. It looks easy, but baking a lot of baby castellas requires the quick work of a skilled craftsman. Calories and Prices of Baby Castella Photo：Baby Castella Nakazawa Seika, a famous baby castella store that has opened stores in Fukagawa Fudo and Asakusa Tori-no-ichi, is a castella specialty shop where you can wait for up to three hours. The baby castella sold at the shop is pretty reasonably priced however. They start at 12 for 300 yen (~$3 USD). One baby castella is about 30 calories, but these babies are freshly made and super tasty, so you might want to be careful about eating too much. Making Baby Castella at Home! Photo：Baby castella made with a takoyaki pan It is often thought that a special machine used in a specialty store is needed to make baby castella, but you can actually make them at home, using a takoyaki machine. If you use a hot cake mix and bake the dough with a takoyaki machine, you can make your very own delicious baby castella. We recommend giving it a try if you have the chance! Summary of the Baby Castella Stalls Source :YouTube screenshot There are many people who look forward to eating street food at festivals. On festival and event days, eating lunch and snacks at the stalls is a great way to try new foods and make some great memories. One of the pleasures of Japanese food stalls is to be able to see the craftsman's skills in action. If you are sightseeing in Japan, be sure to stop by the baby castella stalls where you can see the amazing techniques shown in the video.

A Look at the Popular Squid Dish From Hakodate, Hokkaido This video, titled "Japanese Street Food - DANCING SQUID SASHIMI Hakodate Japan Seafood," was released by "Travel Thirsty." Squid is a common dish in Japan, but around the world, squid is generally only eaten in Asia, the Americas, and Mediterranean regions such as Italy, while countries where squid is eaten as sashimi are limited to Japan and Korea. In Europe, squid and octopus are generally avoided because of their grotesque appearance, but as Japanese food has become more popular around the world, they have slowly come to be accepted. The setting for this video is a food stall-style restaurant called "Tabiji" located in "Ekini Market" in Hakodate, Hokkaido. The restaurant serves squid and other fresh seafood dishes. Hakodate is popular for its wide variety of seafood dishes, and we recommend the squid dish shown in the video. The highlight of the restaurant is the fresh squid caught in the squid fishing pool inside the restaurant, which is processed and made into sashimi or ika odori don (a dancing squid rice bowl). You might be thinking "eating live squid is cruel," but don't worry, all the squid dishes served here are properly processed and the squid is in fact not live! You can also try other seafood, including various seafood bowls and sashimi. Squid Is a Common Dish in Japan, but How Much Do You Know About Its Biology? Photo：Squid For Japanese people, squid is a dish that can be eaten on a daily basis in a variety of delicious recipes. However, very few people know about the biology of squid, so let's learn a little about them here. Squid are marine mollusks, and as they are nocturnal animals, squid fishing is done at night. The main edible species, such as the Japanese common squid/Japanese flying squid and heterololigo (spear squid), are found in groups. Squid are often thought to have ten legs, but in fact they have eight, the same number as octopus, and the other two are actually tentacles and act as arms. Squid have a more developed muscle and nervous system than other marine organisms, making them one of the top ecosystems in the ocean. There are a variety of species, from the tiny firefly squid measuring only 2 cm in length to the giant squid measuring over 20 meters in length. Squid is a healthy food that is rich in nutrients such as vitamin E, taurine, amino acids, zinc, DHA and EPA. Fresh Squid Recipes Photo：Ika somen In other countries, squid is mainly eaten as fritters, but since Japan is the world's largest consumer of squid, many delicious recipes have been developed throughout the years. Ekini Morning Market, shown in the video, is known as the pioneer of squid fishing pools, where customers fish for squid in a small "pond" and the squid is prepared on the spot. You can see the squid fishing pool from 0:36 in the video. The best way to eat fresh squid is as sashimi! To cut squid, cut along the body and separate the body from the legs. The legs have suckers, a sharp beak, and innards, so carefully separate them with a knife so that the innards are not crushed. From there, cut the body of the squid into thin strips with a knife to make ika somen (squid noodles), a classic squid dish. You can see ika somen being prepared at 2:51 in the video. Fresh squid sashimi is very firm and chewy. The innards of the squid can also be eaten as sashimi, but the best way to eat them is to add salt, crush it, and marinate the squid slices overnight. It can also be cooked in any other preferred method, such as simmered squid and taro, dried squid, or stir-fried. In the video, the freshly processed squid is still moving on the plate, and at 11:57 you can see the squid's legs desperately clinging to the plate with its suckers. Summary of the Squid at Ekini Market in Hakodate, Hokkaido Photo：Japanese common squid At 12:54, towards the end of the video, you can see a delicious squid bowl with ika somen noodles, a generous amount of salmon roe, and a freshly processed squid. When you pour soy sauce on the squid the body will start to move and you might feel a little sorry for them, but just remember that they're not live, they're just as fresh as they can be. There are many rich squid fishing grounds in the seas around Japan, and the season varies for different types of squid: January to May is the best time to catch spear squid, and June to December is the best time to catch Japanese common squid. If you’re visiting Hakodate be sure to enjoy all of the delicious, fresh seafood the city has to offer! ◆Hakodate Morning Market – Ekini Market｜General Information◆ 【Address】9-19 Wakamatsucho, Hakodate 040-0063 Hokkaido 【Access】Approximately 20 minutes from Hakodate Airport via car or taxi 【Hours】May – Oct. 5:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M., Nov. – Apr. 6:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. 【Closures】The third Sunday of each month, July, Sept., Dec. no closures 【Parking】Available (New Ohte Rooftop Parking) 【Telephone】0138-22-5330 【Tripadvisor】Hakodate Morning Market Ekini Market (駅ニ市場) https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298151-d3210230-Reviews-Ekini_Market-Hakodate_Hokkaido.html