In 1975, Gourmet magazine published a series on traditional Japanese food-- the first of its kind in a major American food magazine-- written by a graduate of the prestigious Yanagihara School of classical cuisine in Tokyo. Today, the author of that groundbreaking series, Elizabeth Andoh, is recognized as the leading English authority on the subject. She shares her knowledge and passion for the food and culture of Japan in Washoku, an authoritative, deeply personal tribute to one of the world's most distinctive culinary traditions.

Andoh begins setting forth the ethos of washoku (traditional Japanese food), exploring its nuanced approach to balancing flavor, applying technique, and considering aesthetics hand-in-hand with nutrition. With detailed descriptions of ingredients complemented by stunning full-color photography, the book's comprehensive chapter on the Japanese pantry is practically a book unto itself. The recipes for soups, rice dishes, and noodles, meat and poultry, seafood, and desserts are models of clarity and precision, and the rich cultural context and practical notes that Andoh provides help readers master the rhythms and flow of the washoku kitchen.

Washoku is a journey through a cuisine that is rich in history and as handsome as it is healthful.