In a Cook's Journey to Japan, author Sarah Marx Feldner invites you to become a front seat passenger as she travels Japan, sampling home cooking and collecting recipes from people like You: grandmothers, cooks, fishermen, mothers, hostel owners and artists, all going about their daily lives in small mountain villages, seaside towns and bustling cities.<BR><BR>This book is an inside peek into how everyday Japanese people are cooking, Leafing through the book, you'll quickly realize Japan is not just a country of recipes, but a country of people who use these recipes to feed their families, satisfy a sweet tooth and celebrate life. You may be surprised by some of the recipes you'll find in this book. Popular standards like Salmon Teriyaki, Tonkatsu, Chicken Yakitori, Hand Rolls, Miso Soup with Baby Clams and Yaki Udon are included, to be sure, but you'll also find recipes that reflect contemporary influences from other cultures, such as Egg Salad Sandwiches, Curry Rice, and Oolong Tea Chiffon Cake---all, of course, with an unmistakable Japanese flair.<BR><BR>In Keeping with the easy-to-relate-to nature of this cookbook, the recipes are grouped by how people typically eat---and cook---in the West: by basic food type and course. That's not to say these recipes are any less traditional. They're simply organized in such a way as to make the book as accessible as possible, making it easy for you to find and prepare whatever you're in the mood for: a simple but nourishing soup, a main meat dish or a tempting dessert. If you're interested in creating a complete Japanese-style meal, consisting of a number of smaller dishes, the author provides a roadmap in "Japanese Menu Suggestions."<BR><BR>The author's stories of her fascinating travels, and her heartfelt and sometimes humorous insights about the people who shared their recipes and kitchens with her, will entice you to take up the "wheel," or your knife and cutting board, to begin your own journey with the varied foods of Japan. Guided every step of the way by the author's assuring tone and clear instructions, you will see how easy it is to prepare delicious Japanese dishes in your very own kitchen.