Dining out with friends and family is an amazing social experience that can sometimes be missed for health reasons. You may think that eating out in restaurants always means overindulging, but eating healthy in a restaurant is possible.
Japanese foods are considered some of the healthiest, thanks to the fresh and unprocessed ingredients used to prepare them, such as vegetables, fish, seaweed, etc. So, if you’re searching for “healthy takeaway near me”, you can narrow down your search to Japanese cuisine without hesitation.
Are you wondering what dishes you should order? This article will introduce some of the healthiest foods you can try, whether you’re ordering takeout or dine-in at a restaurant.
Healthy Japanese Foods to Try
Whether you’re enjoying Japanese cuisine for the first time or just being health conscious, the following foods are a must-try.
Sushi & Sashimi
The first food name that comes to someone’s mind when they hear about Japanese food is sushi or sashimi. Sushi is made with vinaigrette rice and fresh fish rolled up in nori seaweed. On the other hand, sashimi is thinly sliced raw fish typically served with daikon radish, pickled ginger, wasabi and soy sauce.
Both sushi and sashimi contain essential components like vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, which have been proven to lower the risk of heart disease, improve cholesterol levels, and cognitive functions.
So whenever you’re in a Japanese restaurant, do not forget to taste this delicious item.
Udon Noodles
One of the most popular noodle dishes in Japan, udon is made from wheat flour and brine water. You can eat udon hot or cold, depending on your preferences, with a delicious dipping sauce made from mirin, buckwheat flour, sesame oil, and Japanese soy sauce.
Udon is a perfect dish for those who are looking for a lighter and healthier dish than instant ramen. This doesn’t come with a lot of added salt and flavourings, meaning that you can enjoy this dish without worrying about your health.
Onigiri
If you’re looking for original portable food from Japan, then you must try Onigiri. Also known as ‘omusubi’, ‘nigirimeshi’, this is basically a rice ball filled with tuna or salmon and wrapped with nori seaweed.
This simple yet delicious dish can be a great snack if you want something light. Sometimes, pickled vegetables are added to make it more flavourful and healthier.
Miso Soup
If you eat in Japanese restaurants regularly, you may have noticed that most meals come with miso soup as a side dish. This is one of the most consumed dishes in Japan, made with miso paste (a traditional Japanese item made from fermented soybeans) and dashi broth.
The complex savoury flavours of miso soup can help improve the umami flavours of the main dishes you’re going to enjoy with it. Miso soup is rich in antioxidants and probiotics, which help improve your gut health and boost your immune system. To give this soup more body, several other ingredients can be added such as firm tofu, green onion, and wakame seaweed.
Tempura
Do you love crispy fried food? Then you’ll definitely love Tempura. This popular dish typically consists of shrimp, sliced meat, and vegetables like green beans, pumpkin, daikon mooli radish, and sweet potato covered in a special batter and fried until they become pale golden and crunchy.
Though deep-fried, Tempura is healthier than other fried dishes since the batter doesn’t absorb as much oil. This item is served with spicy sauce, which makes it more delicious.
Soba Noodles
If you tend to avoid noodles since they are made of wheat, you can easily rely on soba noodles. This popular noodle is made from buckwheat flour, which gives the dish an earthy and slightly nutty flavour.
Like udon, soba noodles can also be enjoyed both cold and hot with dipping sauce like ponzu and soy sauce. Since soba noodles are made with buckwheat instead of regular wheat, they contain higher fibre than the regular ones.
Edamame
Looking for satisfying, protein-rich snacks? Edamame can be your choice. These bright green, young soybeans are blanched and lightly salted before being served. While most local pubs in the UK offer peanuts and pork scratchings with their lagers, Japanese ones will serve you with freshly prepared edamame.
The best part of edamame is that it’s rich in fibre. This gives you a sense of fullness, thus stopping you from overeating.
Wrapping Up
Japanese cuisine is extremely popular because it is one of the healthiest in the world. If you’re in a Japanese restaurant, you will see the menu boasts lots of fish and fresh vegetables instead of red meat and fast foods.
While most Japanese foods are considered healthy, the abovementioned are some must-try items. These items are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, which can fight cancer. Besides, these foods help improve cholesterol levels, boost immunity, and promote heart health.
So, if you’re impressed with any Japanese restaurant you’ve recently visited and loved their foods and services, don’t forget to nominate them for the upcoming ARTA, UK’s one of the most renowned food industry award. To find our more visit artauk.com.
