****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
In order to truly appreciate a specific culture, one must not only take in the sites and sounds but also the wide variety of culinary traditions the country has to offer. This couldn’t be more true when it comes to visiting a country like Japan. Millions travel to this gem in the Far East to partake in its centuries old architectural and entertainment offerings, yet they often bypass the local traditional food culture in favor of the familiar albeit limited Japanese dishes and/ or more Westernized meals. Why is that? I believe it is because they lack the knowledge and understanding of traditional Japanese cuisine even though Japanese food has progressively gained popularity overseas.Gil Asakawa, a nationally known journalist and self-proclaimed foodie, aims to change that by educating the public about Japanese food in his recently released book entitled Tabemasho! Let’s Eat!Born in Japan and raised in the U.S., Gil introduces readers to traditional Japanese cuisine from its origin and evolution in Japan to its diffusion overseas. His lighthearted writing style peppered with brief glimpses into his own past make this book both enjoyable and relatable.Being a Japanese history buff, I truly appreciated the fact that Gil introduced us to significant points in Japanese culture and history as he educated us about the country’s unique cuisine.Carefully selected photos throughout help build the story and aid the reader in visualizing the history and essence of Japanese cooking. Gil walks you through the basics of a Japanese pantry all the way through to the pièce de résistance, the desserts (in my humble opinion).There is a glossary of Japanese food terms and even a detailed list of Japanese food resources the reader can utilize to enhance their exploration of Japanese cuisine.A delightful book that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in expanding their culinary world.
