Japanese Embassy in Riyadh in cooperation with JETRO Riyadh and Dubai invited Saudi officers, businessmen and local media to the Ambassador’s Residence and held a Japanese food exhibition for further understanding of Japanese Cuisine “Washoku” here in Saudi Arabia. Dubai-based traders, such as JFC Gulf, AGSS and Summit/Musashi participated in the event with their Japanese products and Japanese producers as well with basic ingredients of Japanese food such as Japanese rice and miso for miso-soup.
Dealing with the ingredients which are directly sent from Dubai on this occasion, Ambassador’s Chef Mr. Shoji Hamana demonstrated his artistry through making Sushi and attendees tasted the difference of rice which particularly suits sushi. Japanese restaurants are popular among Saudis but the invitees found a fresh surprise with the rich variety of Japanese food products and discussed better procurement and distribution of such real foods in the Kingdom.
Attendees also experienced tasting of different kinds of Japanese broth – “dashi,” which is essential for any of Japanese cuisine, and learned the difference of Red, White and Yellow Miso. A Japanese officer told: the geographical distance between Saudi Arabia and Japan may be one of the main causes for misunderstanding each culture but as we see Saudis appreciating our authentic food culture here, actual experience through cultural exchange, like this event, will sweep away such barriers. The Japanese providers learnt a lot from this event and they will surely take this experience back to produce more halal foods in Japan.