In recent years, Japanese cuisine has been gaining popularity, having once been a niche in American cuisine. Many Americans enjoy the simplicity and lightness of Japanese food, which is appealing to them because they are used to eating heavy and often deep-fried foods. This aspect of ethnic cuisine is often overlooked by many people. They fear they will find something that looks like it was prepared by the Iron Chef. This is far from reality! The intent of this article is to introduce readers to a variety of different Japanese dishes, that they might go out and try something new without fear of what they'll be eating.

Domburi is a dish that consists of a bowl with rice and some type of topping. A wide range of toppings is popular in Japan. Many have successfully crossed the Pacific to reach American restaurants. Oyakodon (which uses both chicken breast and egg as its topping) is one example. Gyudon is another type, which is more Japanese than fast food. It's beefy in taste and very popular in Japan. You might enjoy unadon, a type or domburi made with strips of grilled eel and thick soya dipping sauce.

Ramen: This soup is a staple of American college students' diets for many years. Wildly popular around the world, ramen is to the Japanese what a burger and fries are to your average United States native. Ramen can be made with many different bases, but its most distinctive feature is its long, thin noodles. These noodles can be complemented by dumplings and pork, as well as miso (fermented soybeans), soya sauce, and pork. It's interesting that ramen is associated with Japan nowadays, even though it was developed in China.

Sashimi (or sushi): People who are unfamiliar with Japanese cuisine often mistake this dish as sushi. Although it is often presented artistically, the fact remains that sashimi is raw fish, a truth which turns the stomach of many a squeamish American. There are many kinds of sashimi available, with the most well-known being tuna. When eating this dish, diners should pay particular attention to its scent. Sashimi fish must be extremely fresh.

Sushi: This is perhaps the most Oao Sushi popular Japanese dish, and it has been especially popular in the trendy areas of the United States. There are too many ways to enjoy it that we can't list them all. For sushi to be considered, it must contain sushi vinegar-prepared rice. Norimaki or sushi rolls is the most popular type of sushi. These rolls consist of sushi rice and other seafood, wrapped in dried seaweed. Norimaki also often contains vegetables.

Tempura: This dish has also become quite popular within Japan and across the globe. Tempura is something of a finger food, consisting of differing types of seafood and/or vegetables fried in a special batter. The result is a tasty treat that's crisp and light, not heavy like deep fried food in America. It is impossible to list all the ingredients used in tempura. They also vary widely from one restaurant to another.

The five dishes listed above should provide the novice gourmand with a particularly tasty introduction to the world of Japanese cuisine. Enjoy!