お弁当 (おべんとう - obentou) - Bento

お弁当 is another of Japan's better known exports, having made the journey from its humble roots all the way into dictionaries and foodcourts across the world. It's thought that the word "弁当" comes from an old Chinese word meaning "something convenient", but these days it refers to a bought or home-cooked box lunch; what probably springs to mind for most people is the ubiquitous multi-sectioned plastic tray. In one form or another though, お弁当 has been around for hundreds of years and people have been tucking into countless different varieties since the 15th century. Let's pop the lid and see how the world's oldest lunchbox has evolved over the years.

Japaneats その12 – おでん - Oden

As we've seen before, despite its reputation for delicacy Japan is no stranger to stodgy food. As 夏 (なつ - natsu - Summer) burns itself out and the nights start to cool down again the おでん carts will start to reappear; the steaming bowls of brown stuff they serve up are guaranteed to prove that Japan isn't always form over function. It's definitely not pretty and the taste might not be for everyone, but おでん holds a very special place in the Japanese heart.

Japaneats その11 – 和菓子 (わがし - wagashi) - Japanese sweets

It may not be the first place you imagine when you think of desserts, but believe it or not Japan has a huge sweet tooth. Like most Japanese food, 和菓子 have evolved significantly over the years and they can now be enjoyed in a traditional, understated way with a cup of お茶 (おちゃ - ocha - green tea) or in vast quantities at a café or 食べ放題 (たべほうだい - tabehoudai - all you can eat) dessert restaurant. Let's have a look at some of the most common 和菓子 and see if we can kill that sugar craving.

Japaneats その10 – 寿司 (すし) - Sushi

No discussion of Japanese food would be complete without 寿司, the most instantly recognisable example of them all. In a few short years, 寿司 has gone from an Eastern curiosity to a worldwide staple, evolving to suit local tastes wherever it goes. For all intents and purposes, it's the sandwich of Japan - the product of an intense dislike of cutlery and as simple or fussy as you like it. Whether it's enjoyed as a halfway-out-the-door snack on the run or a proper sit down meal,  寿司 is a healthy, versatile food that you can enjoy on almost any budget.

Japaneats その9 – 神戸ビーフ (koube biifu) - Kobe Beef

I’d be surprised if you hadn’t heard of 神戸ビーフ – like 和牛 (わぎゅう - wagyu), it’s become a global name. As you can imagine, 神戸 (こうべ - Kobe) in particular is packed with steak houses and gourmet restaurants making the most of its popularity. At its heart it’s just very nice beef, but its reputation is getting larger than life and the prices aren’t too far behind; the question is whether the reality lives up to the hype. Let’s chew the fat a little and see if we can find out.

Japaneats その8 - 河豚 (ふぐ - fugu) - Blowfish

Most people have heard of 河豚, a highly poisonous fish and Japanese 冬 (ふゆ - fuyu - Winter) delicacy for the world's more adventurous diners. Its infamy is well known and at times, it's hard to separate fact from fiction; for every uneventful dinner story, you'll have one where none lived to tell the tale. In Japanese, 河豚 is nicknamed "鉄砲" (てっぽう - teppou - "gun"), feeding its popular image as a culinary game of Russian roulette. Whether the notoriety is earned or not, I figure it's worth trying at least once if you're here but it's really up to you whether you risk pulling the trigger.

Japaneats その7 - 鍋物 (なべもの - nabemono) - Hot pot

Japanese homes are generally not very nice places to be during the chilly nights of 秋 (あき - aki - Autumn) and 冬 (ふゆ - fuyu - Winter). Apartments in particular tend to have single-glazed windows and no roof space for insulation which means that most people rely on small heaters, air conditioners and 炬燵 (こたつ - kotatsu - tables with built in heaters) to ward off the cold. The last thing you want to do when you've got the room nice and warm is go and stand on the cold kitchen floor chopping vegetables, so why not just bring everything to the table? 鍋物 (literally "pot things") is the result - a one-pot meal that brings the whole family together (preferably where it's warm). It's branched out into a variety of different styles and is now enjoyed internationally throughout the year; I'll bet you've heard of some versions of it yourself.

Japaneats その6 - 焼肉 (やきにく - yakiniku) - Japanese barbeque

Hot food would have made me sweat just to thinking about it a couple of months ago, but we're clearly past the tipping point of 秋 (あき - aki - Autumn) and are crossing into cloudy, wintery days. Like 焼き鳥 (やきとり - yakitori - grilled chicken skewers), 焼肉 is based around the roaring heat of open griddles and scalding hot food, which are both starting to sound very tempting as the mercury drops. So what is 焼肉, where is it from and where is it going? On your plate, if you're quick enough - grab yourself a pair of tongs and try not to burn yourself.

Japaneats その6 - 焼き鳥 (やきとり - yakitori) - Grilled chicken on skewers

Now that the weather is starting to cool down, the grills are being fired up and we're getting back into all the lovely hot food of the colder months. If you need somewhere to hole yourself up from the rain for a bit, you might want to seek out a good 焼き鳥 spot. You'll know it by the blast of hot air and mouth-watering smells as you open the door, the cluttered little collection of tables and the bellows of "いらっしゃいませ" (irasshaimase - welcome) as you walk in. 焼き鳥 itself is about as old and uncomplicated as food gets  - as soon as we figured out sticks and fire, I'm sure the chicken was only a matter of time.

Japaneats その5 - ラーメン (Ramen)

With all the travelling we've been doing in recent topics, it's probably time we stop for a bite to eat. ラーメン has to be one of Japan's most successful food imports - originally from China, it's now almost as much of a national staple as its native cousins うどん (udon) and そば (soba). In its most basic form, ラーメン is a bowl of noodles in soup, but that makes it sound more boring than it is. There are hundreds of variations from instant to gourmet and with that level of diversity, Japan is bound to have the perfect ラーメン for you.

Japaneats その4 - ファーストフード (Fast food)

Let's face it - there will be gloomy days during 梅雨 (つゆ - tsuyu - the rainy season) when you just want to veg out and eat junk food. Fortunately, you can kill your ハンバーガー (hamburger) cravings in true Japanese style. Whether it's a burger place you won't find at home or an imported chain, let's have a look at what's on offer. Loosen your belt, grab some napkins and pull up a plastic stool for today's Japaneats.

Japaneats その3 - 丼 (どんぶり - Donburi)

丼, which basically refers to "a bowl of rice with stuff on top" is probably the last thing that springs to mind when most people think of Japanese food - it's hearty, inexpensive stodge that's a far cry from the delicate sophistication of 寿司 (すし - sushi). As I haphazardly introduce all the national staples to you through Japaneats though, you'll hopefully see both sides of the coin. Japan (and its food) reminds me of a scene in Titanic a little bit - quiet culture and refinement on one level and a whole bunch of boisterous singing, dancing and revelry downstairs.

Japaneats その2 - お好み焼き (おこのみやき - Okonomiyaki)

Japaneats 2 features my favourite Japanese food - お好み焼き. It's one of the most famous specialties of the 関西 (かんさい - Kansai) area and with good reason. It's easy to make, delicious, filling and you can put nearly anything you want in it. In fact, the name literally means "grilled things you like". What could go wrong?

Japaneats その1 - きつねうどん and たぬきそば (Kitsune udon and Tanuki soba)

"Japaneats" will be a series of posts about things that you must eat if you come to Japan - I'm going to make it a rule!

Today's Japaneats are きつねうどん and たぬきそば. Udon are thick white noodles made of wheat flour, usually served in soup. Soba are thinner, darker coloured buckwheat noodles which are possibly a bit closer to what we're used to at home. "Kitsune" means "fox" and the "tanuki" is a Japanese animal like a raccoon or a badger (officially translated as a "raccoon dog"). Thankfully neither of them are actually in their dish!