1. The staple food of China and Japan is mainly rice, which plays a very important role in the food culture of both countries. Both China and Japan believe that rice is an ideal staple food. China is a big agricultural country. People in the north and the south like to eat rice, especially in the south. This custom has a long history. Due to the limitation of natural conditions, northerners mainly eat miscellaneous grains such as wheat, millet and soybeans, but if there is rice, they also like rice. Japan has been blessed with water resources since ancient times, and the climate and soil are suitable for rice growth. Therefore, the whole Yamato people have been eating rice, and the varieties of rice have been improved, delicious and well preserved, so that the Japanese people take rice as their staple food and love Japanese rice.
2. As for pasta, China people were the earliest places to grow wheat, and all kinds of pasta originated from wheat. After wheat planting was introduced to Japan, Japanese people also sincerely loved pasta, especially noodles, which were very popular in China and Japan. However, because of the good water quality and rich seafood in Japan, noodles were particularly delicious. It is no exaggeration to say that noodles originated in China, but flourished in Japan (the most common instant noodles were invented by the Japanese). Speaking of pasta, I have to mention jiaozi, which is a must-have food for people in northern China. Especially on holidays, Japanese people also like to eat jiaozi.
Second, differences.
1, China people eat a lot of food, while Japan is moderate. When China people eat at home or invite them to dinner, as long as there are guests, no matter where they are, they should pay attention to the surplus, and should not prepare according to the actual appetite of the host and guests, so should their families. This concept is related to the traditional culture of China. Compared with Japanese food, Japan is moderate. Of course, this means eating at home or being invited to a restaurant, especially ordering food (or a meal). People with a good appetite eat just right, people with a big appetite eat less, and people with a bad appetite eat more. Even if there is some left, it won't waste much. This moderate diet is good for health.
China people like hot dishes, while Japanese people like cold meals. This has a lot to do with the customs of the two countries. Many food ingredients in China are preserved in the sun. When they are soaked in water, they lose their taste easily and need to be processed with oil. Oily food tastes delicious and easy to digest. Compared with China, there are more frozen foods in Japan than in China, because there are many seafood in Japanese food. Without processing or reducing processing, more freshness can be maintained without destroying vitamins. Seafood itself contains salt and has a certain taste, and salt has a disinfection effect, so it is okay to eat it raw (sashimi is very popular in Japan). In addition, Japan's water quality is good, the temperature difference changes little, and there are not many cold areas, so it is suitable for eating frozen food.
Chinese food is salty, while Japanese food is sweet. Pickled vegetables are suitable for China with continental climate. On the other hand, Japan's climate is mild, surrounded by the sea, with heavy precipitation and humid air, so sweets are suitable for Japanese people's appetite, except when it is hot.
4. China people value "eating" and Japanese people value "seeing". Countries around the world have summed up some "famous sayings" through long-term practice and experience, which fully proves that China people attach importance to "eating" and Japanese people attach importance to "seeing". For example, China believed that eating with the tongue-tasting the taste, while Japanese eating with glasses-observing the behavior.