Japanese cuisine is popular around the globe because it’s delicious, nutritious, and reflects the rich cultural history of the country. To prepare authentic meals, many restaurants and sushi bars adhere to five traditional rules. Learn more about these rules to enjoy a more fulfilling meal and greater appreciation for the cuisine.

The 5 Rules of Japanese Food Preparation

1. Please All 5 Senses

Beyond tasting and smelling good, a Japanese restaurant or sushi bar will make an effort to appeal to your other senses. They take great pride in how they visually present the meal, the feel of the utensils and dishes used, and the sounds created by the ambiance of the venue.

2. Represent the 5 Colors

In Japanese culture, the five primary colors are red, green, yellow, white, and black. Traditional chefs strive to incorporate all of them in a meal, with black including the dark purple of eggplant and brown of shiitake mushrooms. This is also helpful to create a nutritionally balanced meal.

3. Include All 5 Tastes

The meal should be balanced in terms of taste as well. Throughout the course of the meal, the chef will provide at least one dish that presents a salty, sour, sweet, bitter, or umami flavor, which roughly translates to mean savory.

4. Use All 5 Preparations

In traditional Japanese cuisine, they only used five types of preparation methods: frying, simmering, steaming, roasting or grilling, and raw. The typical order is raw sashimi followed by a simmered soup or steamed vegetable. Next is a fried tempura offering, with the final course being a grilled fish or meat.

5. Reflect the 5 Attitudes

This rule comes from the Japanese Buddhist tradition and refers to the attitude of those who come to the table. Use this dining time to reflect on the labor that went into putting the food on the table, your appreciation of the meal, and the detriments of greed. It’s also a time to accept that this food will help maintain your health and contribute to your search for enlightenment.

 

When you’re looking for authentic Japanese cuisine, head to Natsunoya Tea House, a fixture in Honolulu, HI, for almost 100 years. In addition to one of the finest sushi bars on Oahu, they provide catering and banquet halls for events. Book your reservation by calling (808) 595-4488, or browse their menu online.