Welcome to Food 101 – the definite guide to cuisine in Japan. In this series, we explore the diverse and delicious food options available to those living in Japan.
Today, we delve into the convenient world of take-home meals in Japan. Take-home meals offer a unique solution for those looking for healthy and budget-friendly eating options. It also will be of help for those who don’t have access to cooking facilities or are unfamiliar with the local restaurant scene. Whether you’re an expat or a tourist, read on to discover the ins and outs of this thriving food trend in Japan.
The rise of taking-home meal
Eating outside, at home, and “in the middle”
The Japanese categorize eating styles into three types, depending on the places the food is cooked – eating out (mainly at restaurants), eating at home (by cooking yourself), and “eating in the middle”, which actually means taking out semi-prepared food and eating at home.
I am sure you are familiar with the first two, but the last one might sound somewhat new. It has become one of the standard eating styles in Japan parallel to the growing number of working women and nuclear families. Modern families have less time to prepare dinner. In response to the growing need to quick, nutritious and affordable food, the companies in the food market have developed a lot of semi-prepared products that one can take home and eat just in 10 mins. Eventually, when you are in Japan, quality food options available are not only in the restaurants or in your kitchen, but also in the supermarkets or even found at the convenience stores like the 7-Elevens. So my message here comes down to this: dive into the local markets and give it a try. Do not limit your options to just restaurants or DIY.
What kind of dishes are available for taking out?
Take-home dishes in Japan offers a wide variety of convenient and delicious options. You can take home various foods like packed curry or cooked fish that you can purchase even from one slice.
Let’s look at some of the most common options.
1. Full meal in a box, aka Bento [O-ben-tou]
This is what is known as “Bento” in English. It is a full meal put in a box so that you can carry it around. There are stores speciallizing in bento, but other than that, they are available everywhere including every convenience store, most supermarkets, or department stores. Some restaurants also offer their meal to be taken out in a bento box (see below image).
Department stores have relatively expensive quality Bentos. On the other hand, convenience stores do not offer the best bentos in terms of cost effectiveness and nutrition. Convenience store’s bentos are much heavier in calories, so I recommend them only for your lunch, not dinner.
2. Ready-to-eat food items [o-so-zai]
O-so-zai is ready-to-eat food in a container. Unlike Bento, O-so-zai usually contains only one type of dish, which you can take home, heat up with microwave, and combine into a full meal. A few examples of O-so-zai are croquets, fried chicken, sashimi (raw fish), and various salads.
Almost all supermarkets have a huge selection of O-so-zai, and also the entire basement of major department stores are devoted to O-so-zai. Thus, after a day’s work, one can stop by a store on their way home to pick up an O-so-zai for dinner. They are not heavy on the pocket and also healthy, so one can even make it an everyday routine.
If you want to save your time, you can pick up a main dish from O-so-zai selection, and just prepare the side dishes. For example, the below tweet shows how she prepared the dinner by utilizing take-away shrimp fries and sushi.
3. Meal kit for quick cooking
A Meal Kit is a convenient and practical food solution for those who value nutrition and home cooking in their busy lifestyle. It includes all the ingredients for making a dish, so you don’t need to buy individual ingredients or plan meal. With a Meal Kit, all you need to do is to follow the instruction included in the package and you will have a delicious and nutritious meal without hassle. It might feel a little pricey for its volume, however, it is worth the buy, because you can save a lot of effort that you might have to put in. In addition, you can learn the recipe by following the instruction that comes along with the pack.
4. Frozen meals
Frozen meals offer a quick and easy way to enjoy a hot and delicious meal in a moment. There are fully-cooked dishes, ranging from pasta and fried rice, to dumplings. There once was a time when frozen food was awful to taste, but their qualities have improved and nowadays they are close to non-frozen meals. The options for frozen meals are vast, so there is sure to be something for everyone, regardless of personal tastes and preferences.
5. Bread suitable as a meal [So-zai pan]
So-zai pan is a type of bread that is filled with an ample amount of meat or vegetables. It is a wholesome meal that comes with a sufficient amount of proteins and carbs to make it a meal. A few examples of So-zai pan are: bread filled with curry or cooked potatos, bread with fish fry or teriyaki chicken on the top of it. Pizza and sandwiches also fall within this category. This type of bread is perfect for those who are looking for a quick and satisfying meal. So-zai pan is a popular food item in Japan and is widely available in supermarkets and other food establishments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, take-home food options can be an ideal solution for expats living in Japan who are seeking to maintain a healthy diet while saving money. These convenient meals provide a hassle-free way for individuals who may not have the ability to cook or access affordable, familiar restaurant options. With the vast variety of take-home foods readily available in Japan, expats can be sure to find a meal that fits their dietary needs, tastes and budget. These options serve as an excellent way for expats to enjoy the taste of Japan while exploring the unique culture.
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