The Change of Japanese Table

The Change of Japanese Table

by Kanae S. (3rd year)

What is the typical Japanese home cooking? I think it is miso soup. In my familyfs case, my father is from Kagoshima, so we use the miso with barely made in Kyushu district. And in my homefs miso soup, small cut carrots are included always. The reason is my sister disliked carrots when she was a little. My mother wanted her to eat carrots, so she tried to put them in miso soup. Now, they are the standard style for my family. The other families must also have own taste like my family. And I think the taste of each family appears the best in miso soup. I believe miso soup is the standard menu in Japanese table. But I heard some people donft eat miso soup generally. While I feel sad, I also feel the change of Japanese table. I thought about it.

First of all, I imaged about the traditional Japanese dish. The main ingredients are rice, fish, vegetable, soybeans. Taste is salty, and we often use soy sauce. The nutrition is low fat and healthy. And it is in the warm bosom of the family.

However, it is changing. First is westernization. Nowadays, western dishes are more popular with more people than Japanese dishes. So frequency to eat Japanese food may be decreasing. Second is eating alone. My image of the Japanese table is a family eating together at a low dining table. But we donft quite eat together. It is difficult for everyone to gather because most parents work, or children go to lesson. This matter also leads to eating not homemade dishes, such as packaged foods. Besides, some families donft eat the same dish and eat their own favorite food if they are at same table. They may have many likes and dislikes.

There are some problems. I think all of them are connected to the life-style related disease. Western dishes have more fat than Japanese dishes. Eating not homemade food or only favorite foods tends to result in a bad balance. Japanese dishes are well-balanced and healthy. Incidentally, miso soup has much protein of soy beans and some nutrition of other ingredients. It is very healthy food. And, I think the trust of family deepens in the time that they spend together. So to eat homemade dishes together is very important. And it is the happiest time in a day.

We cannot help changing with the times. But having our own home taste doesn't change, and sharing it with family is the happiest thing. Do you have your family's taste? I think it is the best way to feel the bond of your family.