American chef perfectly captures soul of Japanese cuisine

A lot can be learned about a culture by investigating what it eats. Japanese cuisine is full of tradition in terms of preparation and presentation, thoughtfulness in regards to portion sizes, and an overall sense of resourcefulness. There are many things on the menu that may not sound appetizing to people with a Western palate when given a detailed description, but with good visual presentation, even the most obscure sounding dishes can become mouth-watering morsels.

The video "From Japan with Love (and Dashi)" produced by foodie and filmmaker Daniel Klein gives us all an amazing glance at some of Japan’s most iconic dishes. It gives a fine glimpse into the soul of Japan and is guaranteed to leave you hungry for Japanese cuisine.

"From Japan with Love (and Dashi)" is the first video from season three of Daniel Klein’s food-focused series, "The Perennial Plate," available on the video sharing site, Vimeo. The three-minute clip captures highlights from the cultural exchanges and exotic meals that Klein encountered during his two-week stay in the land of the rising sun.

Klein’s journey across Japan included Tokyo, Kyoto, and Wakayama prefectures, where he was introduced to the sorts of meals that real Japanese people consume daily. Special focus is given to fresh sushi, soba (buckwheat noodles), tempura, sake, and takoyaki (octopus balls) in turn. And although there’s next to nothing in the way of narration, it’s obvious from Klein’s expressions that he enjoys every bite.

The filming of the food is astoundingly appetizing, and unlike the modified foodstuffs that you find in commercials, it speaks to the palate without any posturing. This is real food, made to eat exactly the way it appears on the screen.

Japan isn’t the only country for which Daniel Klein has compiled a montage of delicious meals. His travels span the globe, from America to Vietnam and places in between. If you’re in the mood for good-looking food, tease your taste buds with a few of his videos, but try to refrain from licking the screen.

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