Japanese Food Tips

Seasoned rice (takikomi-gohan) containing various ingredients and which has been cooked with soup stock and soy sauce or salt instead of water can be eaten as a meal by itself. Rice seasoned with spring seasonal ingredients is described under “ Seasoned Rice for Spring.” This description is for the autumn version. Mushrooms such as shiitake, enoki and shimeji are usually popular in autumn. Seasoned rice using scented mushrooms called matsutake is especially famous. However, because matsutake mushrooms are so expensive, this type of seasoned rice is not cooked frequently. Seasoned rice with sweet potatoes or chestnuts is also popular. There are two dishes – gohan (cooked with regular rice) and the more common okowa (cooked with glutinous rice). There is also seasoned rice with salmon or sanma (Pacific saury). Seasoned rice for all of these types is usually sold in department stores and supermarkets, so why not try them if you have a chance? We also have posted several recipes, so please cook them if you like.