Japanese Food Trade Fair Held In China
A trade fair has been held in the Chinese city of Tianjin to promote Japanese sake, seasoning and other ingredients to local restaurants and bars.
The event held on Wednesday at a hotel brought 19 Japan-affiliated food makers based in China together with operators of local dining venues.
Samples of Japanese sake, vinegar and delicacies often served at Japanese izakaya dining bars were among the food offered to visitors at the event.
This included "takowasa," a dish of raw octopus seasoned with wasabi, or Japanese horseradish.
Visitors were also treated to tonkotsu ramen, or noodles in pork-bone broth, a dish that has become widely popular in China.
Staff from a food maker prepared the ramen in front of visitors. It used ingredients on display at the fair and cost less than two dollars to make.
A woman who runs an izakaya said the Japanese-style dining bars are gaining popularity in China as a place for people to enjoy a drink after work.
An official of one of the food companies said Japanese food makers need to work on expanding their name recognition in China beyond big cities like Beijing and Shanghai.