KCP’s Andalucia Shares Her Fave Food from Japan!
The roots of Japanese cuisine trace back to strong influences from China and Korea spanning the last 2,000 years. However, it’s only in the most recent 300 to 400 years that foreign interactions have shaped what we now recognize as Japanese culinary traditions.
Religious beliefs have significantly impacted the evolution of Japanese gastronomy. In the 6th century, Buddhism, the official religion of Japan, prohibited the consumption of meat and fish. Similarly, Shintoism shared a philosophy against meat consumption, although it didn’t outright forbid it. Emperors in the eighth and ninth centuries prohibited the slaughter of animals, later allowing and regulating the consumption of meats. By the 15th century, Japan adapted to include meat and poultry in daily diets, while also refining the fermentation process of fish and rice.
KCP’s Autumn 2022-Spring 2023 student, Andalucia share some of her favorite dishes during her terms of study in Japan. Check it out in her own words!
“I wanted to share some of my favorite foods that I have been craving ever since coming home from Japan. There are so many delicious (and cheap, in many cases) things to choose from in Japan, so you really can’t go wrong with any restaurant you choose.”
“My absolute favorite, katsu curry! This one is specifically from Go Go Curry, a chain that you’ll commonly see around Tokyo.”
“Recently, souffle pancakes have been popular online. These are from A Happy Pancake in Ikebukuro, and they’re incredible and very fluffy! There are also all sorts of flavors to choose from.”
“I was able to try eel during a daytrip to Kawagoe, and it’s definitely my favorite type of seafood, as it’s very rich in flavor. Unfortunately, eel can be pricey, but I definitely recommend trying at least once!”
“This is one of the many bentos from the floor below Ikebukuro Station. If you’re in the Ikebukuro dorms, I absolutely recommend checking the area out. There are so many types of bento boxes to choose from, all under $10!”
Stay tuned for more of Andalucia’s favorite Japanese food!
