What is a simple Japanese food?

Question

I am doing a school project on Bon Festival of Japan. We need to bring in a food (or drink) that goes along with it. It needs to be something simple (like a finger food) that I can make or buy. Also, it has to feed 50 people, so it can't be too expensive or complicated.

Answer 1

Here's something that's simple - uses few ingredients, easy to make and can be served cold.

How about somen or soba noodles in a light, cold dipping sauce?

Since you're just giving eveyone a little taste, what you can do is put a little cooked noodles (a few strands) in a little condiment cup and cap it. Store it in the fridge and no need to heat up.

*******************************
Recipe from link below,
In Japan, cooked buckwheat noodles are often served with a soy-based dipping sauce; here the sauce is combined with the noodles for a flavorful and easy dish.

ACTIVE TIME: 10 minutes
EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

8 ounces soba noodles
2 scallions, sliced
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain the noodles in a colander and rinse under cold running water until cool. Transfer to a medium bowl and toss with scallions, oil, soy sauce and sesame seeds.
******************************
To make it easier, you can leave out the green onions (scallions).
The condiment cups, you can ask a local restaurant if you can have or buy some from them.

Answer 2

Japanese Meatballs in Sweet
Soy Sauce (Niku Dango)

The full name for this is 'niku-dango no amakara-ni'. This appetiser/side dish is very simple to make. The presentation is lovely since the sauce acts also as a glaze...and its sweet coating makes these meatballs a kid-pleaser too! For fans of Asian street food these meatballs can be presented 'yakitori-style' by putting them on wooden skewers, with 4-5 balls on each skewer.

16-20 meatballs

For meatballs
8 ounces ground pork
2 ounces lettuce, finely chopped
3 ounces carrots, finely grated
1 tablespoon sake
1 pinch salt
1/2 beaten egg
1 tablespoon cornflour
1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
For the sauce
4 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon sake
1 tablespoon mirin
1 tablespoon caster sugar
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
2 tablespoons cornflour

Mix together all the ingredients for the meatballs in a bowl. Knead the mixture until the ingredients are well combined. The beaten egg should give a stickiness to the rest of the mixture, holding it together.
Take a small amount of the mixture -slightly less than a tablespoon) in your hand and mould it into a ball. Continue until the meatball mixture is used up.
Fill a pan about one-third full of cooking oil. Heat oil to 350ºF and deep fry the meatballs until brown, about 5 minute (Turn meatballs halfway to ensure they are browned evenly.).
Remove meatballs to plate lined with absorbent paper, to drain off excess oil.
Combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a pan. Mix them together over a low heat, stirring until the sauce has thickened.
Add the meatballs to the pan and roll them around in the pan until they are all covered with the sauce.
Pour the meatballs with sauce onto a serving plate and serve!

Answer 3

How about mochi? The ice cream version or just the regular one with sweet beans inside. Available at any Asian store. They are little balls made from sticky rice (i guess) but since they are small, they are perfect finger food. They are not expensive and no preparation needed. You can even accompany it with green tea. Good luck!

Answer 4

Boiled Edamame works great. So does wasabe beans. If you're keen on doing something more elaborate, then veg and chicken yakitori is a great finger food.

Answer 5

How about sushi rolls? You can slice it up to make enough for many people. Make something simple like cucumber rolls:
http://japanesefood.about.com/od/sushiroll/r/cucumberroll.htm

Edamame is a good idea too, but I like it better when it's warm.

Answer 6

what about Edamame? it is steamed soybeans. it would be a finger food, easy to make, inexpensive and you will just need a place to discard the empty pods one they are consumed.

Answer 7

Do you plan to make it or just serve it?
Sushi is easy to serve, but not so easy to make.
Should be able to get some from a super market.

EDAMAME would be easy to make..

http://www.emerils.com/recipes/by_name/edamame_(japanese_soybeans_cooked_in_the_pod).html

Mike

Answer 8

everyone likes cookies.
My friend is Japanese and makes cookies very similar to this.

http://www.kraftfoods.com/main.aspx?s=recipe&m=recipe/knet_recipe_display&wf=9&recipe_id=60858

Answer 9

White rice, they eat it at almost every meal.

Answer 10

steamed rice with chicken and vaggies