What is Japanese food? WASHOKU explained and its evolution 〜和食〜 | easy Japanese home cooking

[@robertworden8559]

I hope you know that your presentation is priceless and demonstrates your amazing prowess of teaching and being considerate of other cultures yet explain so clearly the aspects of the uniqueness and complexity of Japanese culture. For a man of your age you possess tremendous potential as an educator and your writing skill is balanced and thoughtful to your audience. This short program is a perfect example of what all American children and adults could benefit tremendously from. Thank you so very much for your tireless effort. I pray your rewards will be commensurate with your work.

[@laurene2586]

Enjoyed learning about the history of Japanese cuisine. I noticed that my grandmother originally from Japan but an American citizen, would arrange the food on the plate artistically which made it more appealing to eat. Thanks for sharing!

[@taijiskitchen]

you are welcome! glad you like it!!

[@KrasMazovHatesYourGuts]

The one thing I love about Japanese cuisine is that they have this amazing ability to embrace both tradition and innovation. When they encountered a new ingredient, they embraced the novelty and uniqueness of it yet at the same time found ways to absorb it into their traditional preparations.

[@kathysoc3733]

Love your videos! I am Japanese, born in the US. I thought I was somewhat knowledgeable in Japanese cuisine, but ALWAYS learn new things in your videos. Thank you!

[@taijiskitchen]

glad my video contained something new for you! surely you know something I don't! thats how we grow together, by sharing!!

[@yuzan3607]

This is quiet possibly my favourite video on KZbin. The efficiency of the way you present the information is priceless. I lived in Japan for three years and one thing that effected me the most was the Japanese food culture. I want to learn everything about Japanese food and I really try to re-create that spirit here in my country. Not just by making Japanese meals, but by adapting the whole philosophy of Japanese food culture into ingredients from my country. Your video is priceless to me, thanks a lot! Please keep making videos about the Japanese food culture and philosophies. For example, I'm very interested in the 24 seasons and how ppl cook foods according to season. I hope you can share more details on that. hontoni arigato gozaimasu!!!

[@modernvikinghomestead367]

Thank you for the video, it was very informative and easy to understand. I especially appreciate the way you explained traditional vs semi-modern vs modern, as it was very helpfull! I also appreciate the reasoning behind the health aspects of the food, it really put in perspective how this cuisine differs from my own native cuisine. Even though traditional danish cuisine has a lot of similarities to traditional japanese (lots of fish and seafood, rye, oat and barley over wheat, lots of fermented foods), I feel like we've lost this way of eating in our modern times. I definitely will be implementing more of our own traditional dishes as well as implementing a lot of these japanese dishes and ways of serving food, in my own household, since I find it just makes a lot of sence. I will also be making a lot more japanese foods, since we do enjoy this cuisine at home as well. Thank you so much for making these kinds of videos, and helping us all to cook better! Bless you! From Denmark

[@taijiskitchen]

wow, such a compliment! i am exactly not making my video to impose japanese food/way, but to remember the importance of each own tradition/lineage. so you just nailed it!!

[@unknowndeoxys00]

This is the type of content on Japanese food (and most food, honestly) that should be around more. More books, more videos. I love the graphic at 12:30 too, that is a perfect representation. Great job 😁

[@geraldfrank1630]

Absolutely remarkable detail, content & info! Kudos Kudos Kudos! TY 🙏

[@craigh8861]

Thanks for the Japanese history lesson and how food related to it. I like how you mix cooking videos with videos like this one. Please continue to create great content like this video it’s very interesting.

[@taijiskitchen]

thanx! I try to do, what other people don't do!

[@Nacruht]

I just wanted to write and say how much this video is helping my in my culinary career, I was born and raised in the U.S, but ever since I started cooking I just have loved the presentations of Japanese foods and this video helped me understand why that is as long as what they mean when they're presented. Thank you for the video and the other videos you continue to put out.

[@flowersgardens4057]

Fantastic presentation, thank you for the lesson. Fascinating. I never heard considered the melting temps of different proteins and how that may affect our bodies. I love Japanese cuisine but always found it daunting to attempt cooking any myself. Just discovered your channel last night and am inspired to try your recipes. Starting with the cucumber recipes today! Eggplant recipes will be next. Thank you for taking the time and the doing the work to share. A humble request if it’s something you make would be a video with agedashi tofu. Take care!

[@stellagirard166]

Taiji, thank you so much for creating fantastic videos such as this one, with its rich historical and 和食/cuisine details. As a Japanese language and culture instructor, I have been incorporating your wonderful videos in my lessons, to further enhance my students' understanding and appreciation of Japan. Keep up the great insight! ありがとうございます。本当に感謝しています。

[@taijiskitchen]

wow, really?! so great to hear that I can contribute to you/your students! pls advertise my channel to your students!! lol

[@81kikyo]

You should do more history of Japan. I am enjoying learning on your channel.

[@agnesadams5856]

The first video i saw was ur 2 weeks down time. Im so hooked. I love the food housing & all around culture. I have a few more videos to go but was wondering if u might b showing us the new gadgets that r being put out and why can't we but them here now? Ty & keep going.

[@mariconmorales6709]

Thank you for sharing this very informative history of Japanese food! Your video is also valuable for those who need to be enlightened as well as be reminded again about the nutritional value and food preferences for healthier and longer life!

[@lcr9784]

Wow ...really really good and awsome content !! So well researched and very informative..love the part by part explanation ...love the food history of Japan..i'm showing this to the kids to teach them about Japanese culture and food..wish this kind of content is available for other cultures as well..it will really help the kids..Thanks a lot 😃😃😃😃

[@ralucaalbu1500]

I love you Taiji! All the knowledge within this video was so soul-fulfilling that it almost made me cry. Thank you for giving us a chance to discover authentic Japanese culture and cuisine!!! Amazing work you're doing! Lots of love from Romania.

[@wk3960]

Japanese seafood cooking is also minimalistic.. Raw, grilled... No oil... 😋🤤🤤🤤👍👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Sofia..x]

Taiji - thank you Chef for being so sweet and educational when you present your material - i feel your joy & passion for your culture. I hope someday we become so blended and we take on more and more of Japanese philosophy of life and respect - the kind of respect that the west lacks but for the most part we are all brothers & sisters . much love & blessings for 2024 x

[@Barbrady007]

thank you. your videos are always enlightening.

[@taijiskitchen]

thanx! glad you like it!!

[@misterham8111]

Very informative, love this!

[@taijiskitchen]

thanx!

[@stefimandi186]

Thank you so much for this video. Really, very exciting and useful information. I so much agree with the philosophy of respecting the season and the nutritional balance. I am surprised that you learn about nourishment at school. I think every country should incorporate some kind of this in the education system. More videos like this, please! For example, I would love to learn more about Japanese tea culture. The occasion, the types of tea, the snacks. Also, I am very curious how the present global culture, the upcoming fast food consuming effects Japanese cooking. Keep on with these videos, I love every of them. Your Mille-feuille Hotpot recipe now is one of the favorite dishes and is so much on my top 10 list that started to make variations.

[@taijiskitchen]

thanx!! will do! a video on tea is coming up soon, fast food consumption, will consider it, thanx! glad you liked the Mille-feuille Hotpot!! its also one of my favorite winter dish!!

[@shubhraauritaroy9109]

Hi I am just back from a wonderful trip to Japan and started looking for simple, healthy recipes to cook..... your channel is perfect. Thank you for all your effort and sharing your culture and cuisine.

[@robinsoda3181]

Just found your channel today and I love your videos. Only thing is could you pronounce the words slower so I had hear the pronunciation??? That would be awesome. Keep up the good work

[@cherylperkins7538]

BEST video I've seen on teaching me. Very, very good. Thank you

[@louisedost8476]

Great teacher. I bow to you!

[@TulipB89]

Love this video. So informative and delivered in a enjoyable way. Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@taijiskitchen]

glad you enjoyed it!!

[@THREEGEEZANDS]

I was born in Japan from both Filipino parents, where my father had served in the US Navy and he was stationed in Japan at that time. One of the things to do thst is in my "bucket list" is to visit my place of birth. (Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan). I heared all good things from most people that I spoke with who had visited Japan, and I am excited to experience the culture and see the country as well. Sushi is by far my favorite food. If anyone asks me where do I want to eat, everyone in my circle of family and friends kmow that my answer would be Japanese food. There is no food here in the US that I can remotely compare to Japanese food (that is of course my personal opinion). Listening to this vlog made me want to go to Japan more and hopefully soon.. Thank you for posting such an informative video.. i absilutely enjoyed it!!

[@sharpskilz]

Brilliant video my man..concise and informative.

[@andrewandrew.US.UK.NZ.AUS.CAD.]

Like your japanese culture and cooking. it is a great video. And I watch all your cooking, all healthy food. And thank for share. Waiting more your cooking recipes even simple but healthy , thats why I like japanese food. Also the portion is just small and delicious.

[@lovdolls]

A great video thank you. I love the way Japan teaches in the schools about food, cooking, and sewing which has been pretty much dropped from schools in America. I need to eat more sardines they are in my pantry!

[@lcm2023]

Would you consider creating a guide for eating in Japan if you have a shellfish allergy, soy or peanut allergies? Really enjoying your videos, Wonderful Information!

[@Grandma_Ma]

My problem also,thank you for asking the ?,hope it is answered.Became allergic later in life.

[@rimasmeleshyus9486]

Japanese food ,one of the best and most healthy food. I m enjoying every week in Hawaii islands 🏝

[@PP_ChaiBkk]

Very good to know more about Japanese foods

[@1987Marineta]

I'm from Spain and I notice that both traditional foods have lots in common. We favor fish over meat, we eat very balanced and varied (tapas, two courses, etc..) and we focus a lot on the freshness and good quality of the ingredients. We do use fat (olive oil) but it's way healthier that butter, and we always accompany it with fresh food and veggies (ex. Fresh tomato). I don't think it's by chance that we too are at the top of the life expectancy list!

[@Eldiran1]

As someone who like to know how to write things in japanese, thanks to put all of these word with their japanese writting. It help me to remenber these one easier. As a french, food are always been an important part of my life (generaly the best part of each day), so it's not wonder that i'm digging into Japanese cuisine that much. Each region of Japan, like in France, have their own dish. And each time i will visit Japan, i will not miss the opportunity to eat local dishes.

[@11fasteddie]

LOVED IT

[@lucitarodriguez9082]

Very informative channel. I've been following you for the past 4 days ive learned a lot about Japan amazing you're superb thanks for sharing abt your culture. More power.

[@warrior5203]

Bravo ! Your overview is awesome!

[@latishacampbell5764]

So informative. In the States we have Home Economics, at least my generation did (I am 47 so I am not sure if they still do). These are basic cooking, sewing, mechanical drawing, wood working, art etc classes. I think I would absolutely love eating traditional Japanese food regularly as I prefer a more clean way of eating (most of the time). Such good information. I hope one day I am blessed with the opportunity to visit Japan.

[@tenzinchodon3660]

Very informative. Totally fascinated by Japanese food culture.

[@zuhurapakeer8920]

I’ve been taught a lot of things about Japan and it’s culture, since moving here 8 years ago. But, I really enjoy watching your videos and re-learning because your English is fabulous. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Ta 🙇‍♀️

[@umitbilgesamanli2431]

Wow… I have just discovered your channel, and I loved it.. Will be following each episode.. You are very efficient and well informed, and fast and disciplined.. Thank you so much… I love oriental food…

[@jermellroymartinez2470]

glad I subscribed to your channel. Thank you for giving digestible information about Japanese food. will definitely check out all your other videos! 😉

[@carrieannpetersen3614]

Thank you for this video. I fell in love with modern Japanese foods like ramen, okonomiyaki and nabe when we lived in Hawai'i. Over the last 8 months I've started eating traditional Japanese breakfast (even natto!) nearly everyday. I love how Japanese cuisine leaves me sated but never full or bloated. Americans have a very capitalistic view of food, and I've been adopting Japanese practices of Washoku like the 5 colors and 5 cooking methods at each meal when possible. What got me started down this path is the prevalence of fermented foods in Japanese cuisine; as you mention in your video, it is essential for healthy gut, but there is also a gut-brain relationship that helps improve functions like sleep and may have a direct impact on neuropathologies. I'm a recent subscriber to your channel, and enjoy your insights into your culture.

[@Ground900]

I'm learning a lot from your videos. I already want to try and make Miso soup and sushi rice from your recipes..

[@d.h4879]

Great video for introducing Japanese food! I am a fan of Japanese food and I don’t have full knowledge until I see this video, thank you!

[@gildatan4958]

Taiji, you videos are very informative. Thanks for sharing your culture. I love Japanese food but I even love it more after this information that you shared👍 Keep up the good work and hope to see more about Japanese travel info. Thanks 🙏

[@janetatuniquerawfoods2361]

This is well put together and so interesting to be able to discuss these origins. I’ve had questions about how if the Japanese really uphold the virtue of life in all… how the have so much meat in the restaurants… and with their/your ability to live by the seasons… that the flour products came to be. Noodle making art is fantastic… but so much work for a refined food product in the end. Gratitude and respect to you.

[@rtjs14]

Wow. That was educational. You are an excellent teacher. Thank you for sharing all this information about your culture with us.

[@krakowian]

great video, thank you for all the explanations and visualizations :)

[@taijiskitchen]

thank YOU for the comment! glad you enjoyed it!!

[@GiGaSzS]

Thank you for this depth explanation. I was recently in Japan and was amazed at the quality of the food Japan has to offer with simple ingredients that are gathered from Japan. This is a gem and needs to be taken care of because it could be easily destroyed by the influence of westerns' bad habits and overuse of meat and fat/oil.

[@patriciahazeltine9986]

You are so informative, thank you for sharing!

[@melaniedickson7769]

Very interesting and impressively dense in content. Thank you for the clear and approachable manner, and for using appealing posters and visuals to reinforce the information. I also loved your video where you showed us features of Japanese homes. It is all so unfamiliar, and I appreciate the pragmatic and graceful aspects of Japanese culture. I really like hearing about Japan on your channel.

[@Chrisnickhill]

I hope other people follow this model of content. Absolutely concise and accurate information. You should do a crossover with kimono Mom. Thank you.

[@unsee3670]

thank you so much for this video, it was reakky helpful, i love cooking japanese but i have a billion things to learn so i really love your channel. I apreciate the work you put in and also the amount of research and information. Thank you c: keep up the good work :)

[@taijiskitchen]

thanx so much for your compliment!! glad to hear that you enjoyed it so much!

[@julielozano5668]

Enjoyed learning about Japanese food and balance of nutrients of dishes for your meal. Thank you so much!

[@brucecggallagher1949]

Thank you for this history of your country's culture. This is very much appreciated as I am learning how to cook Japanese food. Your explanations are priceless and provide great clarity for the Western mind. I love the segment on the teaching aspect for children. Cheers from British Columbia.

[@dominiquemichaud1858]

The dishes are so colorful and appealing. Thank you for a great presentation of the history of Japanese cuisine . Most interesting

[@annaceglova6889]

Very interesting content! Thank you for sharing!

[@GK-rg8xw]

Thank you, Teacher. You are a great teacher. So informative and great pictures. Arigato.

[@jimdeane3667]

Hi Taiji. Thanks once again for the deeper background and explanation. I have been watching for years the show, “Dining with the Chef” on NHK, especially with the hostess Yu Hayami and Chef Saito. My choice there is that, like you, they work hard to communicate a deeper appreciation for Washoku and with a focus on good cooking techniques. Please keep up the excellent work and for sharing your rich heritage.

[@taijiskitchen]

thanx for your comment!! I need to check that show too!

[@ElJosher]

Damn… I was thinking about learning more about washoku earlier today. Good timing.

[@taijiskitchen]

wow, perfect timing!

[@deniserhk]

That is very fascinating! I learned a lot, thank you for making this video!

[@marisarae2350]

I just started watching your videos and I am LOVING the in depth videos about these specific parts of Japanese culture! I would love to learn more about 家庭科 and what those classes include or are like! I'm from America (Texas) and we don't have anything like that. Closest would be Home Economics but those were taken out of most schools in the 90s, and now at most you're offered an optional cooking class. I'm currently studying japanese and will be studying in osaka in 2023 (and hopeuflly 2024)!

[@hollish196]

Very interesting video. The health aspects of Japanese food brought me to your channel, so having this information was quite helpful.

[@taijiskitchen]

glad you like it!!

[@ElviraSongalla]

this morning i learned from yours ancestors how to take care the varieties of foods on Japanese foods it's all remained the organic healthy life style thanks for sharing today i know how important the originality of taste from your Home to mine thanks crossing on multi media from Philippines

[@anne-mariekaribian4694]

I am enchanted by your exuberance , knowledge & delivery of your culture . Thank you from a French woman living in Australia . Well done with appreciation . Anne-Marie in Sydney 😊

[@adriannakotleszka6585]

🐎. Natrafiłam chyba na świeższy odcinek filmowy. Serdecznie pozdrawiam 😁

[@jennyanderson9450]

The historic information was very interesting.

[@robertaa.carney-king2716]

I love the content. I must rethink about my eating habits. The one item I could eat everyday is fish.

[@ivykaneshiro7554]

👏👏👏👏very informative and educational..thank you for explaining the Japanese culture and food category….very interesting 👍👍

[@livequality4578]

Very informative video. Should have watched before the local Japanese restaurants closed!

[@cheriebargery]

I love these types of videos Taiji! Your cooking videos are always great as well, but these are different and always interesting to watch and learn more about Japan and Japanese culture. Thank you. :)

[@taijiskitchen]

glad you like these videos too!! i will keep making these then! let me know if you have any requests on what topics I should talk about!

[@jaymorgan8305]

Thank you for the information. Very well done.

[@type64f48]

日本人ですが、ここまで論理的で分かりやすい紹介は初めて見ました🎉 仕事上、外国人に文化を紹介する事もあるので助かります😊

[@alaylakadph64]

I so love this! Thank you so much for the values. I am excited to see all this.

[@janvaughn1334]

...This is a beautiful presentation! And I thought I couldn't appreciate Japanese food and culture more!

[@sabinaz3217]

This was amazing!!! Thank you for you time and this info. Always wanted to understand Japanese food more!!!

[@juliojimenez5736]

Excellent video, thanks a million.

[@pesobomdemais5948]

Master😍Taijin sensei. I love all your videos. Thank you so so so much. 🌸🌸🌸

[@fawadraza2404]

Thank you so much for this informative video. I have always thought Japanese , Korean , Chinese cuisines as very beautifully presented. I can’t say that Pakistani cuisine is the healthiest but I would say that it is certainly delicious 😀. Would be really happy to host you in Pakistan. Lots of prayers and blessings for you and your family from Pakistan .

[@angelicamason1650]

Thanks for this most informative videos. When I was in Japan, I was fortunate enough to stay at a Buddhist temple in Koyasan. The Shojin Ryori was my favourite food.

[@michelleecklund3647]

I found all of this fascinating! I never knew Curry was considered a Western food, but it makes total sense XD Thank you very much for sharing and all your wonderful videos. I have learned so much from them, and can't wait to see what's next :)

[@maricelmendoza502]

Very informative,thanks I change my diet now

[@jackihutch87]

enjoyable and educational as always! i learn so much from this, taiji!

[@taijiskitchen]

thanx so much!!

[@cherylperkins7538]

Just watched again today since I was missing my Japanese girlfriend in Hawaii. We talked on the phone again as if we haven't since each other in a week. It's been 4 years. She used to send me care packages of food. I now keep the packages and shop here in Florida. Your food is VERY HEALTHY AND TASTES OSISHI. I loved the video. And you are cute

[@kimsherlock8969]

Happy to see all children learn to cook and clean .

[@Georgihinton]

Hi! I'm a dietetic student from the UK and one of our coursework projects is to learn all about the Japanese culture and the cuisine. Just wanted to say how helpful this video was. Contained so much useful and really interesting information. Thank you for taking the time to create it!

[@GoTerry]

Fascinating… thank you

[@somersetskylark173]

Loved this video 💕🌻

[@alessandrarossi6192]

so intersting....so complete......such beautyfull images

[@travismcclay2688]

I really appreciated this video. I'm slowly learning Japanese and would love to visit the country one day. I also learned a lot from this video because I was looking for authentic Japanese foods to try and cook at home. I love the Japanese culture and want to learn as much as I can before visiting if I do visit.

[@gregorymichael9031]

Just got back from visiting Japan and I miss it so much already. Thank you for the content!!

[@jenniheinanen8434]

I really loved this video. I like cooking and trying new things. I often visit an asian food store in the next city over and I pretty much always go through the entire store to find something new to try. I use lots of chicken in my cooking and I usually try something inspired by japanese kitchen when cooking fish ( I mean, since they use it so much in their cuisine, they probably know quite well how to make it, right?) I also try to be open to new flavours and foods in general, so I try to live along the lines of "try everything at least once (except dr**s. And folk dance XP)." I usually look for new ways to season dishes so I can keep my home cooking interesting. I pretty much hate store-bought pre-amde meals, so pretty much everything is made from scratch (Mom taught us well).

[@taijiskitchen]

thats great! thats exactly how I go about it too!! (and of course about dr**s! but what's wrong with folk dances??) thats also how my mom taught me too!! lol

[@Chipmunk108]

日本の事たくさん教えてくれて有難うございます♪日本大好き😘

[@robertworden8559]

I wish that American Schools curriculum's could endorse and provide this material as a historical and social studies course. There's so much to be learned here, brilliantly organized and displayed. The simple, thoughtful common-sense of this lifestyle is obvious and introduction to the Japanese lifestyle and traditions to young learners could be so very valuable. In my family it was sewn into every aspect of our lives and made so much richer by the exposure and understanding of it. Taiji-San, your effort (your hobby) brings so much to this world, your 100,000 viewers achievement declares the value this content provides. arigato gozaimasu.

[@islandbreeze2102]

A really wonderful video!! I only wish you would have broken down the video into several videos, so you wouldn't have to speak so fast and go through this great body of information in such a rush. Thank you for such great content and superb images. You have done a fantastic job. I learned so much about the Japanese food culture and history. Please keep producing this mix of history, culture, and cooking videos.

[@mirtanhag8006]

Wow… this video is fantastic. This 20 Minutes was so intelligent filled with informations that I learned a lot of culture, food and the historical background for the food involving. You have done a great job with this video for me. 🤩

[@rachoue13]

This was so informative! Thank you