Xavier-Benjamin

Wagashi: Japan’s Lesser-Known but Equally Delightful Culinary Art

When thinking of Japanese cuisine, ramen and sushi might be the first things that come to mind. However, Japan has another culinary treasure that’s waiting to be discovered: 和菓子 wagashi, or traditional Japanese confectionery. While foreign tourists might be familiar with sweets made with 餅 mochi glutinous rice and 餡 an sweetened red bean paste, there’s a whole world of…

Gyoza: Japan’s Delectable Pan-Fried Dumplings

Japan’s delectable pan-fried dumplings, known as 餃子 gyōza, have become a culinary delight for locals and foreign tourists alike. This mouthwatering dish offers a vast array of flavors, captivating even those who have tried similar dumplings in other countries. In this article, we invite you to embark on a journey to discover the enticing world of Japanese gyoza, exploring their…

Oden: Japan’s Soul-Warming, Hearty Stew

Visitors to Japan are often familiar with sushi, tempura, and ramen, but there’s another traditional Japanese dish that’s perfect for the colder months and just as delightful to explore. Known as おでん oden, this slow-simmered, hearty stew is a comforting, soul-warming dish that every traveler should try during their visit to Japan. What is oden? Oden is a Japanese one-pot…

Yakitori: Japan’s Must-Try Grilled Chicken Skewers

Whether you call it kebab, kofta, satay or souvlaki, grilling meat on a skewer is a popular food preparation style all over the world. Japan is no exception. However, whereas many people have heard of sushi, tempura and ramen, Japan’s answer to the chicken kebab is less familiar outside of the country. And yet, you’ll find them almost everywhere you…