Another option, eating unagi freshwater eel, is a favorite among locals since the grilled and sauced delicacy is thought to help curb summer heat and fatigue.
Instant noodles are great for a quick meal on the run or in between grocery store raids, but they also make great bases for more intricate meals.
Summer in Japan gets scorching and steamy. Mid-summer Temperatures often reach 95 F or higher depending on the region. Along with beer, watermelon and soomen (cold udon noodle), kakigoori (shaved ice) is a popular cold food that cools us down during summer.
Yoshoku, or Western dishes, came to Okinawa decades after hitting Japan’s mainland. The adoption of the Western cuisine was accelerated when the island became more exposed to American food after the battle of Okinawa.
Mainland Japan’s food culture continues to migrate to Okinawa, and every year new Japanese chain restaurants pop up on the island. Even items that were unique to the mainland like “Ehoumaki,” a sushi roll eaten on the day of Setsubun, are now common on Okinawa.
Have you heard of Japan’s furikake? In Japanese, furikake means "to sprinkle over." Furikake are seasonings of various dried ingredients such as egg, seaweed, or sesame, made to top a bowl of plain white rice.
Unlike in South Korea or Bhutan, winter in Okinawa doesn’t take a lot of spicy hot-pot-type dishes to get through.
Though Shuri Castle may top your list among the many attractions to visit in Okinawa, the neighborhood surrounding the iconic castle is home to many other historical sites to check out.
On a rainy day in late May, I visited Agarihama Ichiba, a local farmer’s market in Yonabaru Town. In search for some seasonal produce for a summer recipe to try, I had tomatoes, goya (bitter melon), or gumbos in mind
Fellow Stripes Japan writer Takahiro Takiguchi recommended I visit Otaru while I was around Sapporo.
Tea is an important part of daily life in Japan and an indispensable part of washoku Japanese cuisine.
The greasy, sweet and sour taste of “Naporitan spaghetti” is very popular among Japanese.
Sometimes it's hard to say no, but practice and learn this Japanese phrase so you're prepared!
One day after the rainy season was declared over in Okinawa, I was walking on the boardwalk by the Mihama American Village, still unable to embrace the unusually early arrival of the summer.
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Taste of Okinawa
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Destination Paradise
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