What Does Nostalgia Taste Like?

In a country known primarily for its seafood, an unconventional investigator in The Kamogawa Food Detectives reminds us that the breadth of Japanese food should not be so narrowly pigeonholed. In the novel, author Hisashi Kashiwai introduces readers to six main dishes, of which only one spotlights fish.

With a quirky father/daughter food detective agency in Kyoto as the backdrop, the protagonist, investigator and chef, Nagare, reconnects six seekers with the tastes that have been eluding them. Six chapters named for the dishes being investigated include: nabeyaki-udon, beef stew, mackerel sushi, tonkatsu, Napolitan spaghetti, and nikujaga.

Mackerel sushi often showcases cured mackerel atop sushi rice.

Those unfamiliar with Japan might think the roster unrepresentative of the country’s fare, yet upon landing would discover that in addition to traditional cuisine, Japan has a tender and ongoing love affair with reinventing dishes from abroad and making them uniquely their own. Like a number of the chapters, favorites like tempura, gyoza and shokupan (milk bread) illustrate that in Japan, what was once foreign becomes Japanese.

This hambagu steak teishoku ( hamburger steak set meal) is made from Japanese wagyu at a local favorite restaurant in Tokyo’s Ginza neighborhood.

A bit of advice? Try it all, if you can. Embrace the differences as well as the similarities and keep an eye out for the interplay of textures, the focus on seasonal ingredients, and presentation. In the way that Nagare helps his clients return to the comfort of nostalgic moments through taste, the chefs of Japan will introduce your pallet to new ones.

Seasonal ingredients are a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine.

Even in urban centers it is not uncommon to find small stands that feature fresh fruits and veggies which can be purchased using the honor system.

Have you ever cried from eating something so delicious? One of the characters in The Kamogawa Food Detectives cries when her tastebuds are utterly satiated. Though you may not tear up from epicurean euphoria, you are bound to be delighted as you nibble your way through Japan. If food is your passion, our Destination Specialists can curate a trip that revolves around multiple culinary experiences or they can interweave thoughtful meals within any one of our existing itineraries. After returning from Japan, your taste for nostalgia may be forever changed.

Be sure to try a classic Japanese teishoku. These set menus are not to be missed!

If you are traveling to Japan (Kytoto, in particular), The Kamogawa Food Detectives offers a glimpse of the preparation, thought and care that makes up a Japanese culinary experience. Pick up a copy before you depart from your local bookstore or library!

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