What Is the Main Dish?
2026-10-17
What Is the Main Dish?
Look at this typical Japanese meal: grilled fish, rice, pickles, a small side dish, and miso soup.
What is the main dish?
Many people outside Japan would point to the fish. On a menu, that makes sense: this is a grilled fish set meal. But there is another way to understand what is on the tray.
In traditional Japanese eating, rice is the staple—the center around which the meal is built. The fish, vegetables, and pickles are okazu: dishes eaten alongside rice.
You could say their job is to help you enjoy the rice.
A bite of savory fish, followed by some rice. A little pickle, then another bite of rice. Each flavor contributes to the meal without needing to dominate it.
Of course, Japanese people do not eat rice with every meal, and individual habits vary. But this traditional arrangement reveals a different perspective on what matters most.
The most noticeable item is not always the foundation.
Disclaimer: I use AI as a tool to help create images and proofread my writing. However, the ideas, opinions, experiences, and messages in my posts are my own. AI does not generate my posts for me. It simply helps me present my own words and ideas more clearly.
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..