Nothing compares to the light, masterfully prepared cuisine of Japan. From sushi and miso soup to noodle bowls and sake, Japanese food will excite your taste buds. Test your skills in the kitchen, and learn to make elaborate sushi rolls. What are you waiting for? Become part of the increasing number of people who have fallen in love with Japanese food. Call up your most adventurous friends and get started planning your Japanese dinner party today. Follow these simple tips, and with the right amount of attention to detail, you can send your dinner party guests on a magical culinary experience to the “Land of the Rising Sun”.
The Décor: Setting the Mood
You want your guests to feel as if they have entered into an authentic Japanese experience. Their immediate sensory experience will be what they see when they enter your home. Keep your dinner party confined to one area of your house (dining room, patio, etc.) and utilize all your decorations in this area. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to create a Japanese inspired atmosphere, but there are a few “must haves” for your décor.
If all your dinner party guests are physically able to enjoy their meal while seated on the floor, you can use a coffee table or other low-to-the-floor table as your dining table. Place large floor cushions around the table for your guests to sit on. If you don’t have floor cushions, you can always use large bed pillows or outdoor seat cushions. Cover your cushions with black fabric for a clean, modern look.
Incorporate a classic Japanese color palette into your décor. Use a solid black or white tablecloth. Set your guests up with red or sage green napkins. Create an inviting mood by placing tea candles or votives in the center of your table. A lucky bamboo plant or a gorgeous orchid would make a perfect centerpiece. You can also add to the atmosphere with a water fountain or Japanese lanterns.
Be sure to set out a pair of chopsticks for each of your guests. You can get cheap disposable chopsticks in the Asian food aisle at most large grocery stores. Reusable plastic or bamboo chopsticks are cheap as well. Check out your local Asian food store for these. You might also like to invest in some soup spoons and rice bowls. These are generally cheap items at any Asian food store. Give them to your guests after dinner so that they can enjoy Japanese food in their own homes. If you don’t have an Asian Grocer nearby, there are several online stores that offer dinnerware that will suit your needs.
Asian Tableware and Accessories
The Menu
Japanese meals generally consist of several courses. Take time to decide what you want to serve and plan a five-course menu. You can print out menus on card stock and place them on your dinner plates so your guests will know what to expect. Be sure to include descriptions of the ingredients in each course.
Starters
You will want to start your guests off with a light salad and soup. A simple salad made with spring mix lettuce and a light ginger dressing is the perfect start for your Japanese dinner party. Follow this with a bowl of miso soup. You can get prepackaged miso soup packets in the Asian food aisle at any large grocery store. You simply pour the packets into small bowls and add hot water. Voila! You have the perfect miso soup in an instant.
If you’re feeling particularly adept in the kitchen, become a sushi chef for the night, and prepare Japanese maki and/or nigiri sushi for your guests. If the thought of all that work makes you sweat, never fear. You can always pick up some prepared sushi rolls from the grocery store or a local Japanese restaurant.
If you want your guests to have hands on experience at your party, set up a sushi making table and allow them to try their hands at this intricate culinary art. Set out some bamboo mats, prepared sushi rice, and an array of sushi ingredients and let your guests prepare their own sushi rolls!
Main Dish
Noodle bowls are a staple food in the Japanese diet. You can serve a hearty udon noodle bowl with mushrooms, scallions, and your choice of protein (try shrimp or even tofu) as a main course. Another option for a main dish would be a classic teriyaki stir-fry. Use your favorite meat and veggies and serve with a side of steamed white rice. You can find noodles and various other Japanese foods you need to complete your dinner at online retailers if you can’t find them in your town.
Asian Grocer
Dessert
For dessert, go light. Serve a fresh fruit salad of pineapple, melon, and grapes. If you can get your hands on green tea flavored ice cream, this would be also be a great, though somewhat heavier, dessert.
Drinks
Be sure to offer green tea (hot or cold) as a drink for your guests throughout the evening. For something with a little more punch, sake is a must! Sake is an alcoholic drink made from rice. Its brewing process is similar to beer, so you can serve your guests “Japanese Beer. Sake should be served in shallow cups. It can be served hot, warm, or cold. Just ask your guests how they prefer their drink! If you can’t find sake near you, check out online sake distributors.
Don’t forget to play some Japanese music while your guests enjoy their meal. The sights, sounds, and tastes of your Japanese dinner party will surely have your friends raving for more!
