Japan has a consistently high life expectancy and is one of the world’s leading countries in terms of longevity. According to data from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, as of September 2022, there were 90,526 centenarians in Japan, an increase of 4,016 from 2021. The Japanese are known for their healthy and long lives, which is closely related to their food culture. Traditional Japanese cuisine, or washoku, embodies healthy principles and wisdom in ingredient selection, portioning, and cooking methods.
Healthful Elements of Traditional Japanese Cuisine
In 2013, washoku was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
The foundation of washoku is ichiju-sansai, which means “one soup and three dishes.” The soup, called miso soup, is accompanied by one main dish and two side dishes. Rice and a small serving of pickles are also essential….