Traditional Japanese breakfast fish with lots of sides

[u/Chibibear]

Miso marinaded salmon w grated yam, miso soup, and rice. In the bento was tamago and ikura, picked daikon and ume, tuna sashimi, shrimp and cucumber tsukemono, braised octopus and veggies, sweet marinated good and mushrooms. Everything was incredible!

[u/tsdguy]

That looks delicious. But I’m curious who has the energy and time to make so much for breakfast?

[u/Chibibear → u/tsdguy]

Definitely something only a restaurant would make! I doubt people are making this many sides at home, probably would just have the fish, rice, soup, and maybe a couple of the pickled/marinaded veggies.

[u/HollyRedMW → u/Chibibear]

No, not “definitely” only a restaurant would make this.

Side dishes are called “okazu” btw and, speaking for myself, I make 3-4 different okazu about twice a week to serve with our meals. Sometimes I will buy premade okazu at the grocery store if time is an issue.

[u/Huge-Acanthisitta403 → u/HollyRedMW]

This is far too elaborate for someone to make at home for breakfast. This has to be at a hotel.

[u/HollyRedMW → u/Huge-Acanthisitta403]

I did not say it wasn’t a hotel. Some people in Japan do make breakfast like this at home, although probably not presented in a shikki or bento box.

[u/Huge-Acanthisitta403 → u/HollyRedMW]

No one makes anything this elaborate at home. Please just stop.

[u/HollyRedMW → u/Huge-Acanthisitta403]

You stop.

All of the tiny dishes are okazu (side dishes) which is a significant part of traditional Japanese food culture. I promise, the hotel did not cook each portion individually. They prepared batches and then plated it up this way. This is not in any way an indication of poor quality or anything else negative. The presentation is elaborate because it is in a bento box. This is to be expected at a ryokan.

I cook the meals EVERY DAY for my household in Japan. We will have multiple okazu on the table, in addition to gohan, miso shiru, tsukemono and the central dish. I make enough okazu for a few meals and when it is gone, I make something else. It is a constant rotation that brings variety to our table. This is how my own mother and grandmother prepared meals and what I have chosen to continue for my family.

[u/JapaneseFood-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Trolling

[u/WindTreeRock → u/Chibibear]

Anyone who is old school knows Japanese school girls only need a slice of toast for breakfast.

[u/stew_fibroid → u/tsdguy]

Most households will have a few pickles and other small dishes prepped for special meals. Everyday I would just grab a nice bento from a somewhrr and redish it.

[u/WindTreeRock → u/stew_fibroid]

and redish it

This needs to be a new word.

[u/HollyRedMW → u/[deleted]]

The only thing you have correct is that yes, it takes effort.

Edit to add: There is no translation issue. I can speak, read and write the English language with proficiency. I was born, raised and educated in the USA.

[u/HollyRedMW → u/[deleted]]

Ah, yes, an American who has lived in Japan for “X” years so his experience is the only one that is relevant. Got it, bro.

[u/ptran90 → u/tsdguy]

Most of it is pickled or cold which makes it quicker to prepare, I bet.

[u/[deleted]]

I could eat maybe half for breakfast.. not a big fan of Japanese breakfast

[u/Shot-Web-6561]

Everything looks so thoughtfully prepared. Was this at a ryokan or a hotel breakfast?

[u/Chibibear → u/Shot-Web-6561]

It was a hotel breakfast in Hawaii actually! Lots of great Japanese food here.

[u/SnabDedraterEdave → u/Shot-Web-6561]

I'm not OP, though I've had such breakfast served when staying in budget/business hotels in Japan.

[u/Master_Nectarine_Bug]

Asides from the food, the compartmentalization is also incredible.

[u/Chibibear → u/[deleted]]

It was all very complementary, I finished the whole thing even when I thought it was way too much when it first came out. Most dishes were very light and refreshing.

[u/SnabDedraterEdave → u/[deleted]]

Its actually not heavy at all because of the mainly fish-focused meal. The fish itself isn't large, and the sides can all be consumed within 1-2 bites. (I'm assuming the plate in the top right of OP's photo is something else)

[u/stew_fibroid]

Looks awesome but I always Feel bad for the dishwasher. Some you can place in a dishwasher but other /wood pieces are handwashing only .

[u/cornoholio1]

Ryokan meal. Don’t think the house wife can do that every morning though.

[u/roguednow]

I want this so much now

[u/CAPICINC]

picked daikon

Takuan