What is the Japanese food menu that resonates with Americans?

~From classics to unexpected popularity, think about a dish that is loved locally~

When opening a Japanese restaurant in the United States, "What kind of menu do you prefer?" That is a very important theme. A common mistake is the one-sided imposition that "you should do it in earnest anyway". Of course, authenticity is important, but without ingenuity to fit local culture and preferences, it will not be a store that will continue to be loved.

First of all, sushi (Sushi) and ramen (Ramen) are overwhelmingly popular. This is common throughout the United States, and in any city, "Japanese restaurants with queues" are often one of these. In sushi, Americanized menus such as California rolls and spicy cinnamon rolls are still very popular. However, in recent years, interest in "genuine nigiri" and "omakase style" has certainly increased.

The same is true for ramen, and classic flavors such as miso, soy sauce, and tonkotsu are preferred, but the response to health-oriented, such as vegan ramen and gluten-free noodles, is also a point. The menu requires ingenuity to balance "selectable flexibility" and "depth of taste".

And surprisingly, what is popular with Americans is fried home-cooked dishes such as "fried chicken" and "katsudon". It looks easy to understand, and the fragrance of the sauce and batter is easy to match the taste of Americans. Recently, there are some areas where "curry rice" and "dashi omelet" are popular, and there has been a tendency for home-style dishes to be "fresh".

In addition, the ingenuity of appetizers and desserts is also a point of differentiation. In addition to small dishes such as edamame and takowasa, Japan's unique sweets, such as matcha ice cream and black sesame pudding, are highly talked about and lead to the spread on SNS.

The important thing is to be aware of the "story told by the menu". What kind of ingredients are they, why do they have this taste, and which part of Japan do they come from? By incorporating this information firmly into the menu description, mere dishes will be transformed into "experiences".

A menu composition that values Japaneseness while staying close to local trends. That is the key to the success of Japanese restaurants in the American market.