What generally available buffet items would be suitable (or unsuitable) for business visitors from Japan?

Question

Just sat through a painful lunch, where all that was provided was cheese sandwiches, and the one thing I know (or think I do), is that cheese and milk products don't always go down too well with people from Japan. Any suggestions? They have to be acceptable rather than clever, our catering staff aren't up to sushi.

Thanks for all the useful suggestions. Have picked a best, but there were lots of good ideas.

Answer 1

I worked for a japanese company for 13 years....I know they are not too fond of sweets....or anything too rich like milk and cheese products could be.
They do like light and refreshing foods...vegetabes.and fresh fruit are usually a must. Cant go wrong with a shrimp platter.

If it is Asian cuisine you prefer...try stir fry or teriyake grilled chicken on skewers with peppers and pineapple.
Beef is extremely expensive in Japan so they would enjoy some nice hand carved prime rib. I would have steamed rice available but also offer an alternative such as herbed roasted potatoes.
A tossed salad with a vinagrete or ginger dressing as well.
If you do serve Asian food...make sure it is authentic and cooked properly. It is very easy to insult them.
** strong black coffee is usually popular as well.
Hope this helps

Answer 2

Fruit is big with Japanese. Very expensive in Japan.

Any french cuisine. Eggs, seafood. Anything of high quality.
Fine soups, sauces, premium beer and Champagne/wine. They are really big on QUALITY French cuisine and are real foodies.

I would recommend beef ONLY if you get the best kind. The beef they raise in japan is the best in the world, so don't insult them with anything less. A top-rate seafood bar is probably a safe bet.

The secret is...TOP quality without flashiness.

Answer 3

Get the Marks & Spencers booklet called "leave it to us" they do lots of buffet stuff to order and mostly its only 2 days notice. They do lots of nice things and I am sure your next lunch with the japanese will be fine if you choose stuff from M&S. 2 key things to remember with orientals is FISH & Chicken...because they do not consume dairy products the same as we do, when offered it they will usually oblige and eat a little BUT mainly it upsets their stomachs because they are not used to it...hope this helps you

Answer 4

When in Rome, do as Rome does. Serve up a lovely British buffet to your tastes. What's the point in going abroad unless you give the local food a chance? Good luck.

Answer 5

Small quantities of the best British produce available.
Scottish smoked salmon, fresh Scottish langoustine, and mussels.
Well hung best quality Aberdeen Angus filet, cooked rare, and served with freshly made horseradish sauce.
Oatcakes, and fresh green salad.
keep away from dairy produce, as many Asiatic folk are lactose intolerant, and it can make them ill.
Don't try and emulate anything Japanese, they will be much better at it than we are, so show them the best of fresh British food, and enjoy your buffet lunch.

Answer 6

just keep it simple. a good spread should have fresh ingerdients, a few salads, some smoked salmon or hams, nice bread and oat cakes or crackers, some nice cheese and a rice and prawn salad or something. if you can some good beer too!!

Answer 7

sushi which isa janese dish you can buy it form waitrose. sea food platter etc try lgping to athe oriental shops in leicester square london they might be abloe to help you.