Rice, Noodle, Fish Book Summary

In 'Rice, Noodle, Fish,' Matt Goulding takes readers on a tantalizing journey through Japan's vibrant culinary landscape. With each page, he explores the rich cultural significance of street food, delving into the rituals behind sushi, ramen, and beyond. Goulding's immersive storytelling paints a vivid picture of bustling markets and hidden eateries, igniting a desire to experience the flavors firsthand. This isn't just a cookbook; it's an intimate love letter to the country's culinary soul. Prepare to be inspired as you discover the art and heart behind Japan's most beloved dishes.

By Matt Goulding

Published: 2015

""In every bowl of ramen, there lies a story—a narrative woven through the rich flavors and the hands that crafted it, a testament to a culture thriving at the intersection of tradition and innovation.""

Book Review of Rice, Noodle, Fish

An unexpected and unique gastro-tourism guide to Japan from the co-founders of the popular James Beard Award-nominated website Roads & Kingdoms that includes beautifully written in-depth narrative, insider advice, and practical information, along with 170 extraordinary color photographs. Foreword by Anthony Bourdain. Part travel guide, part cultural celebration, Rice, Noodle, Fish invites readers to explore an entire country through the lens of food. In this eclectic journey through Japan, Matt Goulding, co-creator of the enormously popular Eat This, Not That! series, navigates the intersection between food, history and culture, sharing the colors, textures, tastes, and cultural DNA that this extraordinary cuisine has to offer. Written in the same evocative voice that reverberates through their popular Roads & Kingdoms website, Rice, Noodle, Fish explores Japan's most intriguing culinary disciplines in seven key regions, from the traditional kaiseki of Kyoto and sushi masters of Tokyo, to the street food of Osaka and the ramen culture of Fukuoka. You won't find hotel recommendations or bus schedules; you will find a brilliant narrative that considers the cultural and culinary flavors of each region and the stories behind the people who prepare it. This is not your mother's Fodor's. Rice, Noodle, Fish is a rare breed of inspiration and information, perfect for the intrepid and armchair traveler alike. A must-have exploration of the world's deepest and most misunderstood food culture, the end result is an exquisitely immersive culinary journey through this captivating country.

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"In every bowl of ramen, there lies a story—a narrative woven through the rich flavors and the hands that crafted it, a testament to a culture thriving at the intersection of tradition and innovation."

Rice, Noodle, Fish

By Matt Goulding