The Differences between Diet Culture of Japan and France

張貼日期：Dec 20, 2010 1:31:41 AM

The Differences between Diet Culture of Japan and France

Tai Kuo

      Do you know that except Taiwan, there are still a lot of delicious foods in other countries. For example, Japan and France both have many delicious foods. However, because Japan is far away from France, there must be great differences in their cultures, and so do their delicious foods.

      One of the most obvious differences between these two couuntries is table etiquette. The order of placing tableware is important at table. In Japan the tableware of ‘kaiseki ryori’ focuses on a sense of beauty, such as bowls and dishes’ colors, flower arranging and other decorations that can add tableware’s integrity of beauty. In contrast, French focus on the order of placing tableware. The main plate is in the front of the diner, napkins are in the main plate, forks are at the plate’s left, and knives and spoons are at the plate’s right. The final are water and wine glasses in front of the plate.

      Likewise, the order of serving dishes is important, too. Kaiseki ryori’s serving order is more complex than French dishes. It has at least twelve dishes to serve. In contrast, the serving order for French meals is simpler, just like the general western serving style.

      Another difference is the ways Japanese food and French food are cooked. Different attitudes toward eating will lead to different types of eating habits. For example, Japanese eat light and not-so-greasy food, and they eat delicately. Also, they like to eat seasonal food. Compared to Japanese, French like to eat a meal for two or three hours. That is because they enjoy their lives, and enjoy the time they are eating. French also like eating delicately and eating seasonal foods. However, cooking types in these two countries are a little different. For Japanese, keeping food’s original flavors is their goal. In contrast, French regard raising food’s flavors as their goal. Besides, Japanese cooks are great at using flavorings; however, French cooks are good in using sauces.

      The last difference is food ingredients. The main foods in Japanese and French cuisines have little in common. Japanese take rice as their staple food, although noodles are eaten much more lately. Japanese are used to eating rice, salmon miso soup, fish, soy sauce pickle, and soybean for their breakfast. On the contrary, French take bread as their staple food. And wine and cheese are important for them. They often eat dinner with bread, and eat different dishes with different wines. And France is the country that has the most kinds of cheese. In addition, The local cuisines in these two countries are diverse. For example, in Japan there are Tokyo tempura, Osaka takoyaki, Matsuzaka sukiyaki, Sapporo ramen, etc. While in France there are Bordeaux goose liver, Grenoble Marinara, a kind of dumpling, Rouen duck, baked snails, apple pie, etc. Actually, the reason why these cuisines are so different is because the weather, location, and culture are totally different in both Japan and France.

      After comparing these countries’ foods, you would know that there are still many delicious foods out of Taiwan. And it is obvious that these foods are quite different from ours. Actually, I have eaten these cuisines, but I still like Taiwanese food the most. Then, if you have eaten these cuisines, which one do you like the most?