Japan House Los Angeles looks at the country’s culinary tradition in new exhibit

A centuries-old Japanese culinary tradition will be celebrated at Japan House Los Angeles this year with an exhibit that bites deep into Washoku.

“WASHOKU | Nature and Culture in Japanese Cuisine,” runs from May 22 through Oct. 18.

Washoku is Japan’s traditional cuisine and was designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage more than a decade ago. The term means “harmony in food” and focuses on rice, seasonal vegetables and fish seasoned with umami-rich ingredients like miso and soy sauce. It’s the food that was made in Japanese homes that was based on respect for nature and sustainable use of natural resources

“It’s not just Japanese food, it’s Japanese cuisine that has shaped the long history of our natural environment and people’s ingenuity. It’s a culinary art,” said Yuko Kaifu, president of Japan House Los Angeles.

“It’s a living culture, it continues to evolve while containing the deep connections to nature, seasonality and people,” she added.  “And it’s diverse. Each region has it’s own original recipes.”

The exhibition, which was originally held in Japan at the National Museum of Nature and science, will look at the evolution of of the culinary tradition with writings that tell its history, recipes, replicas of ancient food halls as well as displays of vegetables and exact recreation of Japanese dishes as they would have been served centuries ago.

“I wandered into the exhibition in Japan and I (was) amazed because it covers the history, the ingredients, the technique, cookware and the future of Washoku as well,” Kaifu added. “So the whole purpose of the exhibition is help people deepen their knowledge of Washoku.”

‘WASHOKU | Nature and Culture in Japanese Cuisine’

When: May 22-Oct. 18

Where: Japan House,  6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles

Information: japanhousela.com

Cost: Free