Is this the complete companion to Japanese culinary culture?
Title: Eat Japan
Published: May 2021/October 2023
Pages: 224
Publisher: Lannoo (I read this book in Dutch)
Rating: 7/10
First posted in Dutch on November 13 2023 and updated on December 4 2024.
Whether it’s rubbing your chopsticks together, handing money to a sushi chef or setting your foot directly on the floor when removing your shoes, we’ll tell you exactly what not to do to avoid looking like an ignorant tourist. Brush up on restaurant etiquette, local customs and what ingredients to expect in Lonely Planet’s Eat Japan.
To help you feel prepared for the Japanese food scene we’ll cover how, when and where to eat, etiquette dos and don’ts, and what classic regional specialties are a must try. You’ll find the best places to eat in every region as well as what to order when you’re there and how to eat it. If you are looking for an authentic and immersive foodie experience but don’t know where to start, Eat Japan is your answer.
- In-depth background on local food and traditions
- Practical info on popular food neighborhoods
- The visually appealing layout will help first-time food lovers get the most from their trip
Want to know more about a country’s cuisine? Lonely Planet started a new food series. Not a travel guide consisting of restaurants that you have to try, and which are therefore outdated before you know it. But a guide full of tips about different types of food in a country and where you can find it. A guide that discusses regional cuisines, but also goes into the history of certain dishes and products. The food series immediately gives an idea of what you can expect from the food culture, perhaps you will discover which regional cuisine suits you best and you can adjust your travel plans accordingly. Travelling is fun, from visiting museums to other historical places, but I find the food just as important when I travel.
Since last year I have been busy learning some Japanese here and there, because I like to listen to Japanese music from time to time. However, I think that a language is more than learning grammar and spelling. In my opinion, it is also learning the history and discovering the food culture. This says an incredible amount about a country. So I definitely didn’t want to miss out on reading Eat Japan. The book is chock full of information about certain dishes and products with their history. But the text never feels overwhelming. The authors were able to describe everything briefly and concisely, so that after reading this book you understand the core of Japanese cuisine. However, I sometimes found the author to have a prim and proper tone and I don’t really understand why she kept wanting to compare everything with the West. I prefer to read facts in a narrative way, as most books in the food series are written (I have also read other books in the series).
Apart from the above criticism, I found this to be a very clear guide. After reading it, I finally had a better picture of Japanese cuisine, which I knew very little about compared to Korean and Vietnamese cuisines. I can recommend Eat Japan to anyone who wants to know more about Japanese food culture or perhaps likes to eat Japanese food, but also wants to know the history behind it. My favourite chapters are about very specific Japanese products and regional cuisines. The chapters made me think it would be great fun to travel to Japan one day.
Do you like Japanese cuisine?
Love,
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