Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art Hardcover – Illustrated, 17 Feb. 2012

Thorough and comprehensive instructions on how to cook traditional Japanese food. The book feels substantial and I like the paper it has been printed on. Don't expect to see photographs of the food but there are illustrations for certain techniques to help you on your way. The first section feels more like a reading book rather than the usual recipe books and dives into the culture and origins of Japanese food, which is essential reading if you intend to recreate some of the recipes. The recipes appear to be straight forward provided you can find all the ingredients, a lot of which can be easily found in most Chinese supermarkets or bought online. I suspect that, like myself, this book will appeal mostly to people who have been to Japan and experienced the food and culture. However, don't let that put you off. This is a classic book and a keeper.

Reading this book is more than a cookbook. I understand now better the sophistication of the japanese culture, this book describes in detail exactly how to cut your ingredients, how long to cook each one, how to assemble a soup bowl that will be steamed, etc. And one of the great things is that at the end of most recipes, the author says 'goes well together with X and Y dish' thus making it easy to put together a meal that would surely impress guests or your family. This book is like a cornerstone of japanese cooking, the ancient art that is and will forever be better than all the new modern dishes that are coming and will come.

I was initialy troubled that the book contains few images. However, there are a lot of well-drawn sketches of ingredients, utensils and cooking methods that you will find useful. The drawings also contribute to the "old - fashioned" feeling that you get when you read the book. I found myself reading the book in bed, because apart from the well explained recipies and tips, the writer presents in an excellent way the traditions and the culture in relation to Japanese cuisine.All in all a very enjoyable and useful book to have.

Probably 'The Bible' of Japanese Cooking written in English. Very extensive. Out of print so also expensive. I'm reading it from the start , so very slowly. It will make an excellent reference work when finished. When first written it was probably the only English guide to Japanese cuisine now we have many more . This is still the best for it's range and completeness.

this book is amazing. I mean if you are looking for one of these books full of photos then this si not going to meet your exceptions. This book is a long story of cooking in japan. From basics to advance techniques, it also contains many recipes. Really good if you are seriously into japanese food and japanese cooking

I bought it to learn some basics and etiquette of Japanese cooking. Writer is a bit strict about usin non-authentic or substitute ingredient suggestions and making of "raw" ingredients is not described. As such you are expected to buy natto, miso, kampyo, konnyaku... ready made. People in Japan countryside make them themselves but in a book recommended as complete approach to Japanese Cooking, it only gives the basic noodle recipe. Other than that this is a comprehensive and great book. And I must add, I didn't so much realise the absence of pictures while cooking, it seemed not necessary for most of the recipes. Also the number of recipes could have been more. Especially in the "Desserts" section, which only supplies three recipes all of which are red bean paste ones. Where are the other classic confections of the beautiful Japan?

I bought this as a Christmas present and it looks absolutely fine. I'm not into Japanese food myself but it appears to be a bible on the subject with copious instructions and diagrams on preparing a wide range of dishes. The service was prompt, Wordery offered the best price on Amazon.

Product: Fascinating.. more of an encyclopedic food bible than a cookbook though there are recipes too.Service: Bought a second copy as a gift and it arrived damaged- felt like it had got damp. Too late to return before Christmas- Not impressed.