Dear Japanese Food Lovers,
Hello from Aiko at isfor WA, Oxford!
As the summer heat arrives in Japan, so does a season filled with vibrant festivals, fireworks, and flavourful seasonal foods. From cold noodle dishes like sÅmen and zaru soba to refreshing sweets such as kakigÅri (shaved ice), summer cuisine in Japan is all about keeping cool and enjoying light, delicious flavours.
Street festivals (matsuri) offer more than just entertainment ā theyāre a feast for the senses. Youāll find stalls selling classics like yakisoba (fried noodles), takoyaki (octopus balls), and grilled corn, filling the air with the aromas of summer.
These seasonal favourites arenāt just tasty ā theyāre tied to memories, community, and tradition. Whether itās enjoying chilled tofu at home, or catching goldfish while munching on taiyaki, Japanese summer food is as much about the experience as it is about the flavour.
One of my fondest summer memories is from a local bon odori (summer dancing) festival in my neighbourhood, where I had the chance to climb up onto the raised platform and play the taiko drum. The rhythm, the lanterns, and the warm night airāitās an experience Iāll never forget.
By the way, did you know you can easily make mentsuyu (Japanese noodle dipping sauce) at home? Itās simpler than you might think ā and Iāll be sharing the recipe in my cookery classes too!
Happy Cooking!
Aiko
isfor WA
