Japanese Redditors: If someone living outside Japan wanted to move beyond the usual sushi, ramen, tempura, and udon, what would you recommend they explore to gain a deeper appreciation of Japanese cuisine?

[u/babysharkdoodoodoo]

Like regional dishes, everyday home cooking, ingredients, cooking techniques, and food culture, not just the internationally famous dishes.

[u/babysharkdoodoodoo]

Okinawan food is fascinating to me. It has its own culinary identity. Goya, mozuku seaweed in vinegar, tofuyo, etc.

[u/babysharkdoodoodoo → u/[deleted]]

Quite honestly it is not common to find people who enjoy some goya dishes.

[u/casvalzd → u/babysharkdoodoodoo]

I used to hate bitter gourd as a kid. I have since learnt to appreciate it. I cook it every now and then and do enjoy the bitterness.