Making Italian Food in Japan, it is as exciting as it sounds!

I love cooking!

Being in Japan, I had concerns that I could not find the right ingredients to make other dishes, and I have been pleasantly surprised with what I could find here!

In Japan, you can find a wide variety of ingredients that are commonly used in Italian cuisine. While some ingredients may have slight differences in taste or texture compared to those found in Italy, you can still create delicious Italian dishes using Japanese ingredients. Here are some key ingredients you can find in Japan to make Italian food:

1. **Pasta**: Japanese supermarkets offer a diverse selection of pasta, including spaghetti, penne, fusilli, and more. You can find both dried and fresh pasta options.

2. **Tomatoes**: Fresh tomatoes are readily available in Japan, and you can also find canned tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce for making pasta sauces, pizzas, and other Italian dishes.

3. **Olive Oil**: Extra virgin olive oil is widely available in Japan, both imported from Italy and produced domestically.

4. **Garlic and Onions**: These staples of Italian cooking can be found in most Japanese supermarkets and are used in various pasta sauces, soups, and other dishes.

5. **Herbs**: Basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and parsley are commonly used in Italian cuisine and can be found in Japanese supermarkets, either fresh or dried.

6. **Cheese**: While mozzarella and Parmesan cheese are staples in Italian cooking, you can also find a variety of other cheeses in Japan, including ricotta, mascarpone, and pecorino.

7. **Vegetables**: Japanese supermarkets offer a wide range of fresh vegetables that can be used in Italian dishes, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and spinach.

8. **Meat and Seafood**: You can find ingredients like beef, pork, chicken, and seafood in Japanese supermarkets to use in Italian recipes such as pasta with meat sauce, chicken piccata, or seafood risotto.

9. **Wine**: While Italy is renowned for its wine, Japan also produces a variety of wines, and imported Italian wines are widely available in liquor stores and supermarkets.

10. **Specialty Ingredients**: Some specialty Italian ingredients may be harder to find in Japan, but you can often find them in international grocery stores, gourmet food shops, or online retailers. These might include items like pancetta, prosciutto, anchovies, capers, and various types of olives.

With these ingredients, you can create a wide range of delicious Italian dishes right in your kitchen in Japan. Don’t be afraid to experiment and adapt recipes to suit the ingredients available to you. Buon appetito!