Five Things You're Doing Wrong with Japanese Food

By Shuji Sakai Tue., Sep. 6 2011 at 9:30 AM

2. Mispronouncing Santuko vs. Santoku

These Japanese knives are everywhere these days, and everyone from Rachael Ray to Emeril Lagasse are touting them as the best thing ever. Personally, I dislike the shape of the rocker-less edge, but what I like less? That people with broadcast powers are still mispronouncing it. It's correctly: san-toh-ku. The marketers, media and the celebrity chefs that still butcher a word that's not all that hard to pronounce in the first place? They ought to commit "hari-kari" (don't even get me started on that one)..

1. Mistaking Miso for Shiso Leaf

Speaking of Emeril, I watched an episode of Emeril Live once where he was teaching us to make Japanese food. While you parse that, I'll tell you that he trotted out the distinctive herb shiso and introduced it as "miso leaf."

I know, I know. The man is from Massachusetts and can barely pronounce American English, but with that much power to misinform people, I expect him to know the difference between shiso the herb and miso the fermented bean paste. It still grates my nerves this many years later.

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Zazen

I would suggest the writer of this article get over themselves. No, really. Americans are gonna get it wrong, no matter which nationality of cuisine you choose. Relax; while I notify you that mistakes in pronunciation are a matter of course, especially when people are trying out something new.

Sadly, this article merely seems advance notification that people will likely face ridicule when they go out for something different from their normal fare. What a nice introduction to Japanese culture. ::pats your back::

Now, were you to develop a sudden interest in Greek or Czech food, you can rest assured I will not return the favor and be an ass over your bumbling pronunciation of your chosen dinner items.

In short, welcome to the melting pot, sweetcheeks.

gustavoarellano

Not true...

Zazen

Oh? Discuss.

Snick Silva

word up. gotta slurp your udon now.

Ryan K

isnt it true that when its sashimi rested on rice, you dont dip it in soy sauce? ive also heard you are supposed to flip it over and dip the fish in and not the rice.

also, when its a piece wrapped in seaweed, you eat it in one bite. also when wrapped in seaweed, you dont use chop sticks. but you do use chop sticks when its sashimi.

but what do i know, im a dumb american and put katchup on my sushi...

Tom

I don't know anyone who does any of the things you listed. I've never heard anyone mispronounce santoku, and when I order tonkatsu, it's because I want tonkatsu, not tonkotsu. Most people nowadays know the difference between sushi and sashimi. Sushi and Japanese culture have pervaded the US' dining palate for decades now. Was this article written in like, the mid-80s? Early 90s?

gustavoarellano

...and Mexican food has been around since the turn of the 20th century, yet people still make mistakes with the cuisine—so what's your point?

antimatter

I love the gaijin picture :-D Article made me laugh so hard

Pink Frankenstein

One of the most common errors is people dipping their sushi rice side into the soy sauce. You should dip fish side AND also eat sushi fish side on the tongue.