Japanese Food: A Recipe for Cultural Appropriation?

In recent years, the popularity of Japanese cuisine has skyrocketed. From sushi to ramen, it’s easy to find a restaurant serving up some delicious dishes from Japan. But before you take your first bite, you may want to read an 87-tweet thread about cultural appropriation. The thread was posted by @Japanculture101 and it discusses the importance of understanding the culture behind the food we eat. The tweets explain how certain aspects of Japanese cuisine have been appropriated in western countries and why this is wrong. For example, sushi is often served with avocado and cream cheese – something that would never be found in Japan. Similarly, many restaurants serve up “Japanese” dishes such as teriyaki chicken or beef which are not actually part of traditional Japanese cuisine. The thread also explains how some people are profiting off of cultural appropriation without any regard for the culture they are appropriating from. This includes chefs who claim to be experts on Japanese food but don’t actually understand its history or significance in Japan. It also includes companies that use Japanese imagery without permission or attribution and sell products that have nothing to do with Japan but still capitalize on its culture. Ultimately, this 87-tweet thread serves as a reminder that we should all strive to be more respectful when consuming other cultures’ cuisines – whether it’s through eating at a restaurant or trying out a new recipe at home. We must remember that these foods come from real people with real histories and cultures behind them – not just ingredients listed on a menu or package label.