Japanese food, once little more than a niche occupant in the greater scope of American cuisine, has become increasingly popular in recent years. The harmony of flavors and lightness emphasized in the typical Japanese dish appeals to the palettes of many in the United States, where heavy and often deep fried foods have long dominated the market. This aspect of ethnic cuisine is often overlooked by many people. They fear they will find something that looks like it was prepared by the Iron Chef. This is far from reality! The intent of this article is to introduce readers to a variety of different Japanese dishes, that they might go out and try something new without fear of what they'll be eating.

Domburi is a dish that consists of a bowl with rice and some type of topping. Many toppings are quite popular in Japan. Some of them have made their way to the United States. Oyakodon (which uses both chicken breast and egg as its topping) is one example. Gyudon, another type of domburi that is rich in beef, is becoming more popular in Japan. Those of you who are especially outgoing tasters might like to sample unadon, a type of domburi wherein strips of grilled eel coated in a thick soya sauce are used to top the rice bowl.

Ramen: This soup has been a staple for American college students for years. Ramen is a popular soup that's enjoyed all over the globe. It is as beloved by the Japanese as a hamburger and fries. Ramen is available in many bases but it's best known for its Omakase long, thin noodles. Complimenting these noodles are such ingredients as dumplings, pork, miso (fermented soybeans) and soya sauce. It is interesting to see that ramen was first created in China and not Japan. But, it is almost always associated with Japan today.

Sashimi - This dish is sometimes mistaken for sushi by those who are new to Japanese cuisine. While it is often presented artistically sashimi still tastes like raw fish. This is something that many Americans find hard to swallow. There are several types of sushi, but the most common is tuna. When eating this dish, diners should pay particular attention to its scent. It is essential that the fish used to make sashimi be fresh.

Sushi: This is perhaps the most popular Japanese dish, and it has been especially popular in the trendy areas of the United States. There are too many ways to enjoy it that we can't list them all. To qualify as sushi, the dish must include rice with sushi vinegar. The most recognized form of sushi is probably norimaki, or sushi rolls. These rolls are made up of sushi rice and different types of seafood, wrapped in seaweed sheets. Norimaki often contains vegetables.

Tempura has become a very popular dish in Japan as well as around the world. Tempura is a snack food made from different kinds of seafood and/or veggies that are fried in a special coating. It's a delicious treat that is crispy without being heavy like deep-fried foods in America. There are many ingredients in tempura, and they can vary from one place to another.

The five recipes listed below should be a delicious introduction to Japanese food for novices. Enjoy!