Learn about the Top 5 Fast Foods in Japan
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| Hello, and welcome back to JapanesePod101.com. |
| I’m Eric. |
| In this lesson we will talk about the "Top 5 fast |
| foods in Japan". |
| === |
| The first topic on the list is a beef bowl, (J: Gyu-don). |
| This is a very popular rice bowl dish with thin-sliced beef and onion in a savory sweet sauce. Beef bowls are often served with red pickled ginger (J: Beni Shoga) and Japanese mixed pepper (J: Shi-chi-mi togarashi). |
| You can find many (J: Gyudon) chains across Japan, |
| such as (J: Yoshinoya), (J: Sukiya) and (J: |
| Matsuya). They also offer takeout services, |
| which makes them a perfect meal for busy office |
| workers. |
| (J: Gyudon) is also available at some supermarkets |
| and convenience stores. But don’t forget to have your bowl heated with their in-store microwave ovens, because it tastes much better that way. |
| == |
| The next topic is buckwheat noodles (J: Soba). |
| Many traditional buckwheat noodle restaurants serve homemade (J: Soba) in a pure Japanese atmosphere. But “Soba Stands”, better known as stand-and-eat soba counters (J: Tachi-gui-soba), are also convenient fast food, especially for young and middle-aged men. |
| Many Soba stands are on the train platform, so you can pop in while waiting for a train. Everything on the menu is quick and cheap, and easily warms you up on a cold day. |
| You can also pick up some ready-made Soba noodles, both hot and cold, from convenience stores. |
| === |
| The next topic is Udon noodles (J: Udon). |
| (J: Udon) is a thick, white noodle made from wheat |
| flour, and they are made and cooked in different ways depending on the region. |
| But among all kinds of regional noodles, the (J: Udon) from Kagawa Prefecture in western Japan is the most famous nationwide and is called (J: Sanuki udon). |
| Many (J: Sanuki Udon) restaurants such as (J: Hanamaru Udon) and (J: Marugame Seimen) offer cafeteria-style services. It’s simple – just grab a tray, order your Udon, and add your favorite toppings. |
| === |
| The next topic is the box lunch (J: Bento). This is Japan’s traditional fast food and includes a variety of different side dishes. |
| (J: Bento) is sold in almost all supermarkets and |
| convenience stores, with many styles and sizes available, from simple ones with just rice balls to deluxe bento with a dozen different side dishes. |
| You can even find some take-out bento-speciality shops such as (J: Hokka hokka tei) and (J: Hotto Motto). They also take delivery orders. |
| === |
| Last but not least is the rice ball |
| (J: Onigiri), which has been Japan’s most loved portable meal for hundreds of years. |
| The recipe is quite simple. Just season cooked rice with salt, and make triangle or oval-shapes and add whatever ingredients you like for the fillings. |
| For years people enjoyed eating rice balls with traditional fillings like dried plum (J:Umeboshi), kelp (J: Kombu) or bonito flake (J:Katsuobushi). |
| But nowadays there are a number of new kinds |
| of ingredients available, and convenience stores also offer original rice balls with unique fillings such as “Grilled Beef” and “Fried Chicken”. |
| It is definitely fun to try them all and find your favorite! |
| That’s all for this lesson. |
| Do you have a favorite place to get a quick, cheap bite? Leave us a comment and let us know! |
| Thanks for listening and we’ll see you next time. Until then, bye! |
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Comments
HideHave you ever eaten bentō?
Hi Nikoletta,
Thank you for your comment!
I love onigiri too😊
My favorite filling is "umeboshi", pickled plum.
Hope you enjoy learning Japanese with us:)
Sincerely,
Miho
Team JapanesePod101.com
I love onigiri! Fortunately there are veggie options as well. So easy! Just grab it and go 😎
Hello Kasper,
Thank you for posting!
Glad to know that you're enjoying cooking Japanese dishes!
Teriyaki is also a great choice!
Looking forward to seeing you often here.
Sincerely,
Cristiane (クリスチアネ)
Team JapanesePod101.com
Why has nobody ever told me just how awesome 焼きそば (Yakisoba) and 焼きうどん (Yakiudon) are? I've just tried making both this weekend, and they're just awesome foods! And they're pretty cheap too!
Next attempt at homemade Japanese Cuisine is Teriyaki Chicken over Rice! I hear it's supposed to be yummy as well :)
Alvin san,
konnichiwa.
I see.
Thank you for your post. :smile:
Yuki 由紀
Team JapanesePod101.com
I love matsuya the most