Intriguing Cultural Foods From Across The World

Japan

Even among native Japanese residents, shiokara can be an acquired taste because of its saltiness. It is often served in Japanese bars where it is washed down with a salt of sake. There are several varieties of shiokara, but they all consist of about sixty percent diced marine animal meat, ten percent salt and thirty percent malted rice. Some types of shiokara even have special names. For example, ganzuke is made with diced crab, konowata is made with diced sea cucumber, mefun is made with diced salmon, and shuto is made with diced tuna. Other times, various marine animals are diced together to make this dish's creamy texture. Regardless of the marine animal used, the meat is usually pressed through a sieve, so all but the membrane is used. When you travel to Japan, do not be surprised if a bowl of this food is brought to your table before your drinks, as its saltiness will encourage you to order more to drink if you can get paste its taste and strong odor.

Continue reading to find out what visitors to South Korea will eat if they wish to eat like a local.