Japan: Isabella Hill (Food in Japan)

Program: UW Introduction to Biological Sciences Research in Japan, Summer

We stayed in the Hiroshima Prefecture, so naturally we were adjacent to the culture that arose after the atomic bomb dropped. A big part of that was actually food!

One of the most famous dishes in Hiroshima Prefecture is okonomiyaki. It is a layered dish of incredible proportions, filled with noodles, cabbage, meat, and seafood. This dish became popular after the nuclear fallout due to the lack of available food. Since then, it has become a staple of their culinary culture.

This was a profound influence I observed in the city, and after learning about its history, I became hyper-aware of the underlying reasons.

Now you’re probably wondering what I personally thought about okonomiyaki (Or maybe not, I won’t hold it against you). It was an intriguing dish before I even learned about its history. Ingredients layered together and then dipped into batter, essentially turning it into the epitome of a savory pancake. I, unfortunately, as a picky eater who cannot always get over certain textures, did not enjoy the dish. However, like many of the foods I’ve tasted during my time here, I am SO happy I tried it!

I am a firm believer that just because someone is a picky eater doesn’t mean they should close their doors to tasting new foods. It’s because of this idea that I have found great joy in trying new foods despite knowing that I will not enjoy everything I eat. This became so beneficial during my time here as I was exposed to a whole new palette of dishes!!

I made it a goal of mine to taste something new every day and I was successful! My favorite categories of food I ate were pastries.

Pastries were my go-to snack/meal for so many days. I indulged on campus, off campus, and inside the big city. If I were to detail every pastry I ate… well, this would no longer be a blog but instead a thesis. I will talk about my all-time FAVORITE one I ate. A raspberry rhubarb croissant. It was to die for. The pastry itself was buttery and flaky, the cream was a perfect balance of tart and sweet, and it was huge.

Side note: I heard that American portions were bigger than those in other countries, so it was quite a surprise that every meal I got was as big as my head, if not larger.

My exploring went beyond baked goods, of course. I had very notable experiences with both meat and fish! I don’t eat much meat back home as I am just not particularly a fan (especially of beef). I was, however, able to dine at a place that served wagyu. This was an entirely new experience for me, something that would’ve run my wallet dry at a typical steakhouse in America.

I was worried when trying fish dishes, especially sashimi. Raw fish can be intimidating! A lot of trust goes into the establishment that they prepare everything correctly. Despite my initial worries, I tried it and I loved it! The seafood in Hiroshima was always exquisite (I’m sure the proximity to the ocean helps a ton).

This blog post delved into the foods I’ve tasted and the influence of culture on cuisine, but my focus was on advocating for picky/hesitant eaters. Food can be a source of stress for some, but with a good mindset and supportive friends, it can be a source of joy as well. Keep your mind and mouth open; it is 110% worth it.