1 Hour Simple Japanese Listening - Food in Japan (ENG SUB) #40

Today, I would like to talk about food. First, our topic is about meat. In Japan, various types of meat are eaten.

The three main types that are eaten are beef, pork, and chicken. Let's first talk about beef. When it comes to Japanese beef, wagyu is famous.

Wagyu is special meat from cattle raised in Japan. The characteristics of wagyu are that the meat is tender and delicious. Wagyu is often eaten in sukiyaki and yakiniku.

Sukiyaki is a dish where thinly sliced beef is simmered in soy sauce and sugar. When eating, you dip the meat in raw egg. Next, let's talk about pork.

Pork is commonly used in everyday meals. Because it's cheaper than beef, it's often eaten at home. It's frequently eaten in dishes like tonkatsu and stir-fries.

Tonkatsu is a dish where pork is coated with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, then deep-fried. It's a very popular dish in Japan. Next, let's talk about chicken.

In Japan, chicken is also popular. There are many dishes that use chicken. Particularly popular are karaage and yakitori.

Karaage is a dish where chicken is seasoned with soy sauce and other seasonings, then deep-fried. It's a dish loved by everyone from children to adults. Yakitori is a dish where chicken is skewered and grilled.

While yakitori is often eaten at izakayas, you can also buy it at supermarkets. By the way, other meats are also eaten in Japan. For example, lamb.

Lamb is mainly eaten in a dish called Jingiskan. Jingiskan is a specialty dish of Hokkaido. It's eaten by grilling lamb and vegetables in a specially shaped pot.

Recently, more people are becoming health-conscious. Because of this, chicken dishes are popular. This is because chicken has less fat and is healthy.

In particular, chicken breast is popular among people who are dieting. That concludes our discussion about meat. Meat is an essential, important food in our lives.

The next topic is about fish. Japan is surrounded by the ocean. Therefore, people have eaten lots of fish since ancient times.

First, let's talk about white-fleshed fish. As the name suggests, these are fish with white meat. White-fleshed fish have less fat and a light taste.

Representative white-fleshed fish include sea bream, flounder, and flatfish. In Japan, sea bream is known as an auspicious ingredient. It's often eaten at celebratory occasions.

Next, let's talk about blue-backed fish. As the name suggests, these are fish that have a bluish color. Mackerel, pacific saury, and sardines are blue-backed fish.

Blue-backed fish are characterized by containing many healthy nutrients. Pacific saury is known as an autumn fish. When autumn comes, grilled salt-seasoned pacific saury is a Japanese standard.

Next is about red-fleshed fish. Red-fleshed fish are fish with red meat. For example, there's tuna and bonito.

Tuna is a fish that Japanese people love. It's especially often eaten as sushi. And besides fish, there are various other seafoods.

Shrimp, octopus, and squid are also commonly eaten. Octopus is famous as an ingredient in takoyaki. Takoyaki is a dish often eaten in Osaka.

That concludes our discussion about fish. Fish, like meat, is a very important food. The next topic is about vegetables.

In Japan, different vegetables are eaten according to the seasons. Japanese representative vegetables include Chinese cabbage, daikon radish, cabbage, and spinach. Chinese cabbage is often used in hot pot dishes.

It is especially used in winter hot pot dishes. Chinese cabbage is more often cooked in stews rather than eaten raw. Daikon radish is a vegetable very commonly used in Japanese meals.

It is often eaten in simmered dishes and as pickles. Next, let's talk about beans. Beans are an essential ingredient in Japanese food culture.

There are many foods made from beans. For example, there's tofu, natto, miso, and soy sauce. These are all made from beans.

Tofu is a traditional Japanese food. It can be eaten as is or added to hot pot dishes. Natto is a fermented bean product.

It's often eaten for breakfast. Natto has a unique smell and stickiness. Because of this, many people dislike natto.

Recently, natto with less smell and easier to eat is also being sold. Next is about potatoes. Common potatoes eaten in Japan include regular potatoes and taro.

Potatoes are used in dishes like curry rice and nikujaga. A characteristic of potatoes is that they are inexpensive. Therefore, it's an ingredient commonly eaten at home.

When people think of potatoes, many imagine regular potatoes. Taro is often used in simmered dishes. It has a sticky texture and is white in color.

It's commonly eaten at home. Next, let's talk about mushrooms. In Japan, shiitake, enoki, and shimeji mushrooms are commonly eaten.

Mushrooms are often added to miso soup and hot pot dishes. They are also commonly used as ingredients in stir-fries. Shiitake is a mushroom with strong umami.

It's not only eaten but also often used when making soup stock. Enoki and shimeji are mushrooms commonly sold in supermarkets. Both are popular as ingredients in hot pot dishes and soups.

That concludes our discussion about vegetables. Vegetables are essential foods for a healthy diet. The next topic is about rice, eggs, and noodles.

These are indispensable foods in Japanese people's daily meals. First, let's talk about rice. Rice is the staple food of Japan.

Therefore, rice is more important than any other food. In Japan, rice is often eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Especially for breakfast, rice is served almost without fail.

Eating it with miso soup and grilled fish is a typical breakfast. Rice is cooked in a rice cooker. Modern rice cookers are very convenient.

If you set the timer, the rice will be ready at breakfast time. It also has a warming function. Therefore, you can eat warm rice whenever you want.

In Japan, cold rice is also often eaten. Cold rice is often eaten as onigiri (rice balls). Onigiri comes in triangular and round shapes.

There are also onigiri with fillings like pickled plum, salmon, and kelp. Onigiri is also sold at convenience stores. Therefore, it's popular as an easy-to-eat food.

Next, let's talk about eggs. Eggs are a very commonly used ingredient in Japanese meals. In Japan, there is a custom of eating raw eggs.

Fresh eggs are placed on rice and eaten with soy sauce. This is called tamago kake gohan. Many Japanese people like this dish.

It's often eaten for breakfast. Tamagoyaki (rolled omelette) is also a representative egg dish. Tamagoyaki is a dish where eggs are cooked and rolled.

It's often included in bento boxes and is a popular side dish among children. It can be made quickly, so it doesn't take much effort. Next, let's talk about noodles.

Japan has various types of noodles including udon, soba, ramen, and somen. Each has different characteristics, and how they're eaten changes with the seasons. Udon is thick noodles made from wheat flour.

Sanuki udon is especially famous. Sanuki udon is a specialty of Kagawa Prefecture. Udon comes in both hot and cold varieties.

When people say udon, they often refer to hot udon. During hot weather, cold udon is often eaten. Soba is noodles made from buckwheat.

Soba noodles are thin and brown in color. Soba is eaten the same way as udon. There are both cold soba and hot soba.

Speaking of soba, there's a Japanese custom called toshikoshi soba. This is the custom of eating soba on New Year's Eve. Ramen originally came from China.

However, it's now so familiar that it can be called Japan's national food. There are various types of ramen soup. For example, there's shoyu ramen, miso ramen, and shio ramen.

Also, each region has its characteristic ramen. For example, Sapporo is famous for miso ramen, and Hakata for tonkotsu ramen. Somen are very thin noodles, mainly eaten in summer.

They are chilled in cold water and eaten with dipping sauce. They can be eaten refreshingly even in hot summer. Therefore, they've become a summer staple menu item.

Recently, instant noodles are also popular. Especially instant ramen is enjoyed worldwide. Instant ramen is easy to make and delicious.

Moreover, it's inexpensive so it can be eaten casually. That concludes our discussion about rice, eggs, and noodles. These foods are important central elements of meals.

The next topic is about fruits. First, let's talk about mikan. Mikan is a sweet and sour winter fruit.

In winter, people eat mikan while sitting at the kotatsu. This is a typical winter scene in Japan. A characteristic of mikan is that it can be easily peeled by hand.

Since it can be peeled without a knife, it's easy to eat. Next is about apples. Apples are characterized by their red color and sweetness.

Japan's Aomori Prefecture produces the most apples in Japan. Furthermore, Aomori apples are known for their good taste. Apples are also often used in making sweets.

Apple pie and apple jam are popular homemade sweets. Next, let's talk about strawberries. Strawberries are a representative spring fruit.

Besides eating them as they are, strawberries are often used as decorations for cakes and parfaits. Especially strawberry shortcake is a standard Japanese dessert. Strawberries are also often used on Christmas cakes.

Next is melon. Compared to other fruits, melons are somewhat luxurious. Melons are often used as gifts.

Next is watermelon. Watermelon is a representative summer fruit. At the beach in summer, there's a game of hitting and splitting watermelons.

Recently, there are places where you can eat all-you-can-eat fruit. For example, at strawberry farms, you can go strawberry picking. Strawberry picking is an event where you can harvest as many strawberries as you like.

You can eat the strawberries right there. Not only strawberries, but there's also apple picking and grape picking. You can enjoy fruits according to the season.

That concludes our discussion about fruits. Fruits are wonderful foods that enrich our lives. The final topic is about tea.

In Japan, various types of tea are drunk. Tea is an essential drink in Japanese life. First, let's talk about green tea.

Green tea is representative of Japanese tea. Green tea is made by steaming tea leaves. This process preserves the green color of the leaves and creates a refreshing aroma.

In Japan, green tea is often served when guests visit. When brewing green tea, the water temperature is important. If the water is too hot, the taste of green tea deteriorates.

When brewing green tea, it's recommended to use water around 70 degrees. Around 70 degrees is the temperature where green tea becomes delicious. By the way, matcha is also a type of green tea.

Matcha is tea where tea leaves are ground into powder and drunk. Recently, sweets and drinks using matcha are also popular. Matcha milk and matcha ice cream are commonly seen.

Next, let's talk about barley tea. Barley tea is made by roasting barley. Barley tea doesn't contain caffeine.

Therefore, it's excellent as an everyday drink. Drnking cold barley tea in summer is a typical Japanese summer scene. Barley tea can be easily made at home.

You just put barley tea bags in water and chill them in the refrigerator. Next is about hojicha. Hojicha is green tea leaves that have been strongly roasted.

Roasting creates a toasty aroma. Hojicha has less caffeine than green tea. Therefore, it's easy to drink even for people who don't like caffeine.

Hojicha is often drunk with meals. It's especially preferred after oily meals because it's refreshing. Hojicha is also used in sweets.

For example, there's hojicha ice cream. Next is about black tea. Black tea is also commonly drunk in Japan.

Black tea came from foreign countries. However, it's now integrated into Japanese life. In Japan, many people drink black tea at breakfast.

In Japan, people often drink black tea with lemon, sugar, or milk. In summer, more people drink cold black tea. Recently, there are new drinks using black tea, such as tapioca milk tea.

Japan has unique tea-related culture. For example, there's tea ceremony. Tea ceremony is a culture that has elevated tea brewing to an art.

In tea ceremony, not only tea but manners and mindset are also important. Also in Japan, there is particular attention paid to tea-drinking utensils. Kyusu is a special utensil for brewing tea.

Yunomi is a tea bowl for drinking tea. These utensils are treasured as Japanese traditions. Recently, more people are drinking tea for health reasons.

Especially green tea is popular because it contains many healthy components. That concludes our discussion about tea. Tea is a very important drink in Japanese food culture.

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Please let us know in the comments. Today, I would like to talk about food. First, our topic is about meat.

In Japan, various types of meat are eaten. The three main types that are eaten are beef, pork, and chicken. Let's first talk about beef.

When it comes to Japanese beef, wagyu is famous. Wagyu is special meat from cattle raised in Japan. The characteristics of wagyu are that the meat is tender and delicious.

Wagyu is often eaten in sukiyaki and yakiniku. Sukiyaki is a dish where thinly sliced beef is simmered in soy sauce and sugar. When eating, you dip the meat in raw egg.

Next, let's talk about pork. Pork is commonly used in everyday meals. Because it's cheaper than beef, it's often eaten at home.

It's frequently eaten in dishes like tonkatsu and stir-fries. Tonkatsu is a dish where pork is coated with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, then deep-fried. It's a very popular dish in Japan.

Next, let's talk about chicken. In Japan, chicken is also popular. There are many dishes that use chicken.

Particularly popular are karaage and yakitori. Karaage is a dish where chicken is seasoned with soy sauce and other seasonings, then deep-fried. It's a dish loved by everyone from children to adults.

Yakitori is a dish where chicken is skewered and grilled. While yakitori is often eaten at izakayas, you can also buy it at supermarkets. By the way, other meats are also eaten in Japan.

For example, lamb. Lamb is mainly eaten in a dish called Jingiskan. Jingiskan is a specialty dish of Hokkaido.

It's eaten by grilling lamb and vegetables in a specially shaped pot. Recently, more people are becoming health-conscious. Because of this, chicken dishes are popular.

This is because chicken has less fat and is healthy. In particular, chicken breast is popular among people who are dieting. That concludes our discussion about meat.

Meat is an essential, important food in our lives. The next topic is about fish. Japan is surrounded by the ocean.

Therefore, people have eaten lots of fish since ancient times. First, let's talk about white-fleshed fish. As the name suggests, these are fish with white meat.

White-fleshed fish have less fat and a light taste. Representative white-fleshed fish include sea bream, flounder, and flatfish. In Japan, sea bream is known as an auspicious ingredient.

It's often eaten at celebratory occasions. Next, let's talk about blue-backed fish. As the name suggests, these are fish that have a bluish color.

Mackerel, pacific saury, and sardines are blue-backed fish. Blue-backed fish are characterized by containing many healthy nutrients. Pacific saury is known as an autumn fish.

When autumn comes, grilled salt-seasoned pacific saury is a Japanese standard. Next is about red-fleshed fish. Red-fleshed fish are fish with red meat.

For example, there's tuna and bonito. Tuna is a fish that Japanese people love. It's especially often eaten as sushi.

And besides fish, there are various other seafoods. Shrimp, octopus, and squid are also commonly eaten. Octopus is famous as an ingredient in takoyaki.

Takoyaki is a dish often eaten in Osaka. That concludes our discussion about fish. Fish, like meat, is a very important food.

The next topic is about vegetables. In Japan, different vegetables are eaten according to the seasons. Japanese representative vegetables include Chinese cabbage, daikon radish, cabbage, and spinach.

Chinese cabbage is often used in hot pot dishes. It is especially used in winter hot pot dishes. Chinese cabbage is more often cooked in stews rather than eaten raw.

Daikon radish is a vegetable very commonly used in Japanese meals. It is often eaten in simmered dishes and as pickles. Next, let's talk about beans.

Beans are an essential ingredient in Japanese food culture. There are many foods made from beans. For example, there's tofu, natto, miso, and soy sauce.

These are all made from beans. Tofu is a traditional Japanese food. It can be eaten as is or added to hot pot dishes.

Natto is a fermented bean product. It's often eaten for breakfast. Natto has a unique smell and stickiness.

Because of this, many people dislike natto. Recently, natto with less smell and easier to eat is also being sold. Next is about potatoes.

Common potatoes eaten in Japan include regular potatoes and taro. Potatoes are used in dishes like curry rice and nikujaga. A characteristic of potatoes is that they are inexpensive.

Therefore, it's an ingredient commonly eaten at home. When people think of potatoes, many imagine regular potatoes. Taro is often used in simmered dishes.

It has a sticky texture and is white in color. It's commonly eaten at home. Next, let's talk about mushrooms.

In Japan, shiitake, enoki, and shimeji mushrooms are commonly eaten. Mushrooms are often added to miso soup and hot pot dishes. They are also commonly used as ingredients in stir-fries.

Shiitake is a mushroom with strong umami. It's not only eaten but also often used when making soup stock. Enoki and shimeji are mushrooms commonly sold in supermarkets.

Both are popular as ingredients in hot pot dishes and soups. That concludes our discussion about vegetables. Vegetables are essential foods for a healthy diet.

The next topic is about rice, eggs, and noodles. These are indispensable foods in Japanese people's daily meals. First, let's talk about rice.

Rice is the staple food of Japan. Therefore, rice is more important than any other food. In Japan, rice is often eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Especially for breakfast, rice is served almost without fail. Eating it with miso soup and grilled fish is a typical breakfast. Rice is cooked in a rice cooker.

Modern rice cookers are very convenient. If you set the timer, the rice will be ready at breakfast time. It also has a warming function.

Therefore, you can eat warm rice whenever you want. In Japan, cold rice is also often eaten. Cold rice is often eaten as onigiri (rice balls).

Onigiri comes in triangular and round shapes. There are also onigiri with fillings like pickled plum, salmon, and kelp. Onigiri is also sold at convenience stores.

Therefore, it's popular as an easy-to-eat food. Next, let's talk about eggs. Eggs are a very commonly used ingredient in Japanese meals.

In Japan, there is a custom of eating raw eggs. Fresh eggs are placed on rice and eaten with soy sauce. This is called tamago kake gohan.

Many Japanese people like this dish. It's often eaten for breakfast. Tamagoyaki (rolled omelette) is also a representative egg dish.

Tamagoyaki is a dish where eggs are cooked and rolled. It's often included in bento boxes and is a popular side dish among children. It can be made quickly, so it doesn't take much effort.

Next, let's talk about noodles. Japan has various types of noodles including udon, soba, ramen, and somen. Each has different characteristics, and how they're eaten changes with the seasons.

Udon is thick noodles made from wheat flour. Sanuki udon is especially famous. Sanuki udon is a specialty of Kagawa Prefecture.

Udon comes in both hot and cold varieties. When people say udon, they often refer to hot udon. During hot weather, cold udon is often eaten.

Soba is noodles made from buckwheat. Soba noodles are thin and brown in color. Soba is eaten the same way as udon.

There are both cold soba and hot soba. Speaking of soba, there's a Japanese custom called toshikoshi soba. This is the custom of eating soba on New Year's Eve.

Ramen originally came from China. However, it's now so familiar that it can be called Japan's national food. There are various types of ramen soup.

For example, there's shoyu ramen, miso ramen, and shio ramen. Also, each region has its characteristic ramen. For example, Sapporo is famous for miso ramen, and Hakata for tonkotsu ramen.

Somen are very thin noodles, mainly eaten in summer. They are chilled in cold water and eaten with dipping sauce. They can be eaten refreshingly even in hot summer.

Therefore, they've become a summer staple menu item. Recently, instant noodles are also popular. Especially instant ramen is enjoyed worldwide.

Instant ramen is easy to make and delicious. Moreover, it's inexpensive so it can be eaten casually. That concludes our discussion about rice, eggs, and noodles.

These foods are important central elements of meals. The next topic is about fruits. First, let's talk about mikan.

Mikan is a sweet and sour winter fruit. In winter, people eat mikan while sitting at the kotatsu. This is a typical winter scene in Japan.

A characteristic of mikan is that it can be easily peeled by hand. Since it can be peeled without a knife, it's easy to eat. Next is about apples.

Apples are characterized by their red color and sweetness. Japan's Aomori Prefecture produces the most apples in Japan. Furthermore, Aomori apples are known for their good taste.

Apples are also often used in making sweets. Apple pie and apple jam are popular homemade sweets. Next, let's talk about strawberries.

Strawberries are a representative spring fruit. Besides eating them as they are, strawberries are often used as decorations for cakes and parfaits. Especially strawberry shortcake is a standard Japanese dessert.

Strawberries are also often used on Christmas cakes. Next is melon. Compared to other fruits, melons are somewhat luxurious.

Melons are often used as gifts. Next is watermelon. Watermelon is a representative summer fruit.

At the beach in summer, there's a game of hitting and splitting watermelons. Recently, there are places where you can eat all-you-can-eat fruit. For example, at strawberry farms, you can go strawberry picking.

Strawberry picking is an event where you can harvest as many strawberries as you like. You can eat the strawberries right there. Not only strawberries, but there's also apple picking and grape picking.

You can enjoy fruits according to the season. That concludes our discussion about fruits. Fruits are wonderful foods that enrich our lives.

The final topic is about tea. In Japan, various types of tea are drunk. Tea is an essential drink in Japanese life.

First, let's talk about green tea. Green tea is representative of Japanese tea. Green tea is made by steaming tea leaves.

This process preserves the green color of the leaves and creates a refreshing aroma. In Japan, green tea is often served when guests visit. When brewing green tea, the water temperature is important.

If the water is too hot, the taste of green tea deteriorates. When brewing green tea, it's recommended to use water around 70 degrees. Around 70 degrees is the temperature where green tea becomes delicious.

By the way, matcha is also a type of green tea. Matcha is tea where tea leaves are ground into powder and drunk. Recently, sweets and drinks using matcha are also popular.

Matcha milk and matcha ice cream are commonly seen. Next, let's talk about barley tea. Barley tea is made by roasting barley.

Barley tea doesn't contain caffeine. Therefore, it's excellent as an everyday drink. Drnking cold barley tea in summer is a typical Japanese summer scene.

Barley tea can be easily made at home. You just put barley tea bags in water and chill them in the refrigerator. Next is about hojicha.

Hojicha is green tea leaves that have been strongly roasted. Roasting creates a toasty aroma. Hojicha has less caffeine than green tea.

Therefore, it's easy to drink even for people who don't like caffeine. Hojicha is often drunk with meals. It's especially preferred after oily meals because it's refreshing.

Hojicha is also used in sweets. For example, there's hojicha ice cream. Next is about black tea.

Black tea is also commonly drunk in Japan. Black tea came from foreign countries. However, it's now integrated into Japanese life.

In Japan, many people drink black tea at breakfast. In Japan, people often drink black tea with lemon, sugar, or milk. In summer, more people drink cold black tea.

Recently, there are new drinks using black tea, such as tapioca milk tea. Japan has unique tea-related culture. For example, there's tea ceremony.

Tea ceremony is a culture that has elevated tea brewing to an art. In tea ceremony, not only tea but manners and mindset are also important. Also in Japan, there is particular attention paid to tea-drinking utensils.

Kyusu is a special utensil for brewing tea. Yunomi is a tea bowl for drinking tea. These utensils are treasured as Japanese traditions.

Recently, more people are drinking tea for health reasons. Especially green tea is popular because it contains many healthy components. That concludes our discussion about tea.

Tea is a very important drink in Japanese food culture.