Food

[baobao]

Why Japanese people like to eat raw fish?

[woofgang]

I think it is because Japan is a land without much fuel for cooking, so the cookery techniques that evolved were ones that made the best use of fuel (e.g steaming) or were quick (e.g stir fry techniques) or used no cooking at all (e.g eat raw)

[rekstout]

A bit of a generalisation I would say but here's my pitch...

Why not? The flavour and texture of fresh fish sliced thinly and served as sashimi is far superior (in my opinion) to that of the cooked equivalent. Europeans eat raw oysters, rare steak or steak tartare. There is a Polish dish composed of raw pork rolled in flour and spices. As woofgang says, it may have something to do with inability to cook - e,g, on a boat or wood-free beach when fishermen would prepare a meal without heat. The consumption of raw fish etc. is as much a cultural exercise as it is culinary.

[Enola]

because it tastes ******* divine!

[zgma]

Because it is SO GOOD! Yum!

[Cassowary]

Like people of any country, the Japanese used the resources they had in as various ways as imagination would allow. They also grill, cure, steam, smoke etc. fish. These mightn't be as famous as sashimi, but are just as much part of the cuisine. The clean flavours of raw fish and the minimalist presentation also suit the typical Japanese taste, although which came first is anyone's guess. In a country where it's impossible to be outside of walking distance of either the sea, a lake or a river, it's hardly surprising that fish forms a large part of the diet, and that freshness is an affordable luxury.