What's What in Japanese Restaurants

Book excerpt: In this completely revised edition of a long-time favorite, Robb Satterwhite offers readers an insider’s tour of the vibrant and constantly-changing contemporary restaurant scene in Japan. Sure, just about everyone knows and loves sushi, but there’s so much more to the cuisine; and with the help of this easy-to-use guide, diners everywhere can learn to appreciate the Japanese restaurant experience in all its variety—and enjoy it with confidence. This third edition of What’s What in Japanese Restaurants includes many favorite features, completely updated, such as an explanation of different kinds of restaurants, how to read menus (with examples), phrases for ordering, and a glossary and food vocabulary. Many new features have been added as well: an overview of the changing restaurant scene; sections on fish, Japanese beef, and premium pork brands; expanded sections on different types of restaurants and kinds of foods; and Japanese beverages including sake and shochu. Satterwhite also explains various cooking styles and ingredients, and offers insights into culinary traditions, history, and the finer points of food preparation. He even has a section on drinking customs and etiquette. Robb Satterwhite has lived in Tokyo for many years and eaten at thousands of restaurants, doing research for his hugely popular web- and mobile-based site, Bento.com. Incorporating this extensive research and the author’s deep knowledge of Japanese culture and cuisine, What’s What in Japanese Restaurants will be an entertaining and invaluable resource for travelers, foodies, and restaurant- goers, both in Japan and at home.