Japanese Food WebQuest

Name .................................................. Date ............................

Instructions: Run off a copy of this WebQuest and write your answers as you work on the computer. You will be given points according to your answers, most of which will be found as you press on certain links or on the Japanese Food Web Page. Ready?

1. Rice is the staple, or main food, of the Japanese diet from the .................... century B.C. Rice growing probably

came from ............................. and ............................. Rice needs a mild and ...................... climate to

grow well. The second most popular food is .................................... They are eaten the day round in Japan and

are served in many different ways both hot and cold. The two most popular are made from soba (buckwheat)

and ................................ (white flour).

2. What per cent of the total labor force in Japan are mainly engaged in farming? ............% of the population

3. Because Japan is an island nation with little farm land, much of their food comes from the sea. The Japanese diet includes:

.................................. (marine algae) which can be used in these dishes: ........................,

...................................................., and in .......................................... .

Sea food is important, too. Japanese people eat these types of seafood: ..................................,

.................................. , ......................................., .............................................., and many more!

4. Vegetables are also important in the Japanese diet. The "perfect protein" food is ................................ which is served in many ways. It comes from soy beans.

Originally from ................................ it has been used in Japan for ............................ years.

5. The Japanese had these vegetables in their traditional diet (and many of these vegetables came to Japan from China and Korea):

.............................., .................................. , .................................... , ............................., and many more.

6. What are some dishes that you might find in a traditional Japanese breakfast? .......................................,

............................., ................................ , .................................. , .................................

7. Matching: Match the word with its definition. You can find the answers on our Japanese Food Home Page. [Use "Edit - Find in Page" if you need help searching for these words.]

___ 1. sashimi

A. Deep fried food (mushrooms, vegetables, shrimp, etc. covered with a batter )

___ 2. sushi

B. Rice wine

___ 3. miso soup

C. A lunch box usually filled with sushi, rice, and other foods eaten cold.

___ 4. sake

D. Raw seafood

___ 5. obento

E. bean cake

___ 6. tofu

F. made of tofu paste, seaweed, vegetables, and water

___ 7. tempura

G. bite-size mount of rice with other foods (fish, egg, vegetables) often wrapped in seaweed; served cold as a snack, appetizer, or light meal.

8. CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

See some statistics (numbers) from the 1985 census of Japan.

By looking at the first table of statistics, what per cent of the total population of households are farm households?
By looking at the second set of statistics, which island has the fewest number of farm households?
What might explain that? (Look at a map to consider growing season and geography.)
Look at the third set of statistics. Is the farming population increasing or decreasing since 1985?

___ 1. sashimi	A. Deep fried food (mushrooms, vegetables, shrimp, etc. covered with a batter )
___ 2. sushi	B. Rice wine
___ 3. miso soup	C. A lunch box usually filled with sushi, rice, and other foods eaten cold.
___ 4. sake	D. Raw seafood
___ 5. obento	E. bean cake
___ 6. tofu	F. made of tofu paste, seaweed, vegetables, and water
___ 7. tempura	G. bite-size mount of rice with other foods (fish, egg, vegetables) often wrapped in seaweed; served cold as a snack, appetizer, or light meal.