Japanology Plus 2016-05-12 - Breakfast

In December 2013, washoku -- Japan’s traditional cuisine -- was added to UNESCO’s register of the world’s intangible cultural heritage, a list aimed at preserving treasured social customs handed down from generation to generation.



Among the defining characteristics put forward by the Japanese government in its application for this recognition were: diversity and freshness of ingredients and respect for their inherent flavors; an exceptionally well-balanced and healthy diet; and an expression of natural beauty and the changing seasons.



All of these traits are reflected in the traditional Japanese breakfast, which combines the national staple dish of steamed glutinous rice with miso soup and a wide variety of seasonal and pre-prepared ingredients.