Eating ramen in a restaurant has a few specific rules to ensure respect for both the dish and the chef.
Category - Culture
Culture, Food Traditions, Seasonal, Winter
12 Months of Japanese Holidays: December’s Toji, Christmas Eve and Omisoka
In Japan, December means three major holidays: the winter solstice celebration, known as Toji; Christmas Eve; and Omisoka, the New Year's Eve purity rites, which take place in both the shrine and the home.
True Japanese teppanyaki differs somewhat from Western hibachi. Today, its rich history of ancient cooking techniques displays the prep and cooking of the food as a form of art, with skillful chefs preparing the dishes right in front of the patrons.
Culture, Japanese Cooking 101, Kitchen Secrets, Umami Talks
Teenage Chef’s Innovative Approach on How to Make Ramen
15-year-old chef Josh Reisner is now establishing his own style in the ramen world. While receiving professional training with ramen masters, this teen chef is also dedicated to creating personal recipes and applying new ideas.
Kids in kimonos? Don't be surprised if you see Japanese boys and girls all dolled up come November. It's the time of year for shichi-go-san, a traditional aging ceremony held for children of specific ages.
Typically held on the second Monday of October, Sports Day is a national Japanese holiday known for athletics and, surprisingly, food. Despite the event’s namesake physical activity, the bento box lunches are often where the real competition lies.
Enjoying a bowl of ramen noodles to the fullest doesn’t mean just slurping them—there are several things you can do to truly enhance your ramen experience.
Autumn, Culture, Food Traditions, Seasonal
12 Months of Japanese Holidays: September’s Jyugoya and Keiro No Hi
If there's one thing to be said about Japanese holidays, it's that they're all about reverence. September’s fêtes, Jyugoya and Keiro No Hi, demonstrate this, paying homage to the moon and the elderly, respectively, with fun and food.
The bento box is a Japanese tradition with roots that date back close to 1,000 years. With so many opportunities for creativity and originality, it's no wonder this versatile lunch box has become so popular today!
Culture, Food Traditions, Seasonal, Summer
12 Months of Japanese Holidays: August’s Hassaku No Iwai and Obon
One of Japan's three major holiday seasons, August features two important cultural traditions: Hassaku No Iwai and Obon. The former is born from agricultural heritage, and the latter, Buddhist rituals.
