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Food & Culture In Japan, Zachary York

All Student-Created Educational Resources

This fact sheet explores traditional foods and dishes, eating patterns, health beliefs and current food practices within Japanese culture. Included within the educational material is an exploration of staple foods, symbolic foods, and foods with special meaning. The traditional Japanese diet, called Washoku, is is listed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage category. Traditional eating patterns, including use of utensils like chopsticks and bowls called “wan”, are identified. The atmosphere of eating is also examined by looking at the four elements of taste, comprising of preserving natural flavor, quick preparation, incorporating foreign foods, and creating art and performing ritual through …