Is British food misunderstood in Japan?

Nick's ESL News Lessons

A printable worksheet for news-based English conversation classes.

Date: 2024/02/15

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: Is British food misunderstood in Japan?

Vocabulary Match

rationed •• views
cuisine •• advanced
appealing •• limited
perceptions •• food
sophisticated •• display
showcase •• possibly
potentially •• attractive

Vocabulary Answers

rationedlimited
cuisinefood
appealingattractive
perceptionsviews
sophisticatedadvanced
showcasedisplay
potentiallypossibly

Article

Many Japanese people believe that British food is not very good. The television host and writer, Kyosen Ohashi, once said that he avoided eating British food when he visited the country. This opinion started after World War II when food was being rationed and meals were kept simple.

British food has improved since the 1970s, but the negative view still exists. This might be because Japanese media often shows British home cooking as being basic and limited. Also, Japanese people find it strange that British cuisine doesn't include much seafood, even though the UK is an island country. Another issue is that British food is often presented in Japanese media as pub food, which is not very appealing in photos. This could be why there are no British restaurants in Japan, only pubs that serve some British dishes.

However, given the chance to try, Japanese people would likely enjoy a Sunday Roast with Yorkshire Pudding, or a Beef Wellington, both of which are sophisticated British dishes that should appeal to their tastes. These meals showcase the quality and variety of British cuisine, potentially changing perceptions with their rich flavors and appealing presentation.

Quiz

  1. What might be the reason for the negative view of British food in Japan?
  2. What do Japanese people find strange about British cuisine?
  3. What British dishes could potentially change Japanese people's perception?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. The negative view of British food in Japan might be because Japanese media often shows British home cooking as being basic and limited.
  2. Japanese people find it strange that British cuisine doesn't include much seafood, even though the UK is an island country.
  3. A Sunday Roast with Yorkshire Pudding, or a Beef Wellington could potentially change Japanese people's perception of British food.

Conversation

A:So, I've only heard bad things about British food. Is it really that bad?
B:Not at all! There's loads of good food in the U.K.
A:Oh yeah? Like what?
B:Well, there's bangers and mash! That's sausages in mashed potato.
A:Hmm... okay. Anything else?
B:Erm... how about a Cornish pasty? It's beef and potato wrapped in pastry. It's delicious!

Discussion

  1. What other British foods do you know? Have you tried them?
  2. Have you ever tried a dish that you thought you wouldn't like, but ended up enjoying?
  3. What dish from your country would you recommend and why?

Source Material

https://t.co/AzkWW1iMHL


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