ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Japanese flavorings

Hey kiddo! Japan has lots of different flavorings that they use in their cooking. These flavors come from things like spices, herbs, and special sauces.

One of the most common flavorings in Japan is soy sauce. It's a brownish sauce that's made from soybeans and wheat. It has a salty taste and is often used to season rice, stir-fry dishes, and soups.

Another popular flavoring is miso. Miso is a paste that's made by fermenting soybeans with salt and a type of mold called koji. It has a savory, slightly sweet flavor and is often used in soups and to marinate meats.

Wasabi is a spicy green paste that's made from a root vegetable called Japanese horseradish. It has a strong, pungent taste and is often served with sushi.

Ginger is also used a lot in Japanese cooking. It's a root that has a slightly spicy, tangy flavor. It's often used to flavor and tenderize meat dishes.

Finally, there's mirin, which is a sweet cooking wine. It's often used to add a sweet flavor to sauces and to glaze meat dishes.

Overall, Japanese flavorings are all about simple, fresh ingredients that are used to enhance the natural flavors of food. Simple but delicious!