What are food samples?
As some of you may already know, food samples are displayed in many restaurants and eateries in Japan.
But did you know that food samples are a unique part of Japanese culture?
It can be said that food samples have undoubtedly contributed to the Japanese food culture.
This niche culture is seldom seen overseas, even in Asia where it usually adapts Japanese culture.
In this article, we have summarised all you need to know about food samples!
We will introduce the purpose of food samples, the history, how to make them, and how far the evolution of food samples has progressed.
Contents
- What are food samples?
- History of food samples
- How to make food samples
- Food samples in the realm of “art”
- Summary
1. What are food samples?
Food samples are a part of the culture that originated in Japan, and their development is never-ending.
Food samples imitate the real food, and are displayed in front of restaurants to serve their purpose as menus.
It is common to see pictures and photos of dishes on menus in other countries, but the culture of placing three-dimensional replicas is unique to Japan.
There is no doubt that visual information enhances understanding of the product and is very helpful when deciding what to eat.
Let us delve further into food samples!
2. History of food samples
Food samples were created from the end of the Taisho era (1912-1926) to the beginning of the Showa era (1926-1989).
It is said that food samples were first introduced to the public by the department store, Shirokiya Nipponbashi Honten, which opened in 1923.
The ordering system, in which customers looked at food samples and bought the corresponding meal ticket, made it possible to increase the efficiency of ordering.
This then increased the turnover rate of the food store, which led to sales quadrupling compared to the past.
For more information on why food samples became so popular, refer to our blog Why Did Food Samples Become Popular in Japan?
In the postwar period when Western food culture began to proliferate in Japan, food samples began to serve as advertisements for Western food.
Many kissaten (coffee shops) placed fashionable and colourful food samples of Western food menus.
By placing food samples of foreign food, it definitely helped to familiarise the people with food that people have never seen nor heard of before.
As a result, these foreign foods revolutionised within Japan and established their position as soul foods.
Gradually, food samples became popular, and now they can be everywhere in the country.
Moreover, the materials used to make food samples have also changed.
In the past, food samples were made of wax which was easy to mould and procure.
However, since the 1990s, these food samples have been made of synthetic resins, vinyl chloride, silicon, and gelatin, which are more durable than wax.
3. How to make food samples
The process of making food samples vary greatly depending on the ingredients, as does the actual cooking process.
The basic procedure involves 4 steps: mould formation, taking out the mould, colouring, and displaying.
Most of the food samples are still made-to-order to this day, and are made by hand with the skill of craftsmen.
For more information on how to make food samples, refer to our blog How to Make Food Samples !
4. Food samples in the realm of “art”
In recent years, food samples have entered the realm of art and miscellaneous goods.
It has become so artistic to the point food samples have begun to garner attention from overseas.
There is an exhibition being held in London titled “Looks Delicious! Exploring Japan’s food replica culture” which aims to introduce specialties from Japan’s 47 prefectures.
It has already attracted more than 23,000 people in 4 weeks, and its popularity is sure to increase exponentially.
For more information, have a look at Japan House London introduces food replica culture by Japan Times.
It will be open until February 2025!
Another example can be found at Oita Airport in Japan, where a huge sushi food sample the size of a luggage can be seen on the conveyor belt along with other suitcases at the baggage claim area.
They are cleverly promoting local seafood (sea urchin, tuna, shrimp, etc) by mimicking the conveyor-belt sushi.
This surreal scene is proof that food samples have evolved beyond their intended use as menus.
Food samples don’t stop here.
There are food samples of everyday items that incorporate Japanese traditional food, such as gunkan sushi USB and grilled fish necktie pin.
Other playful products include lotus root pen stand, onigiri earrings, Hinomaru bento card case, bacon and egg iPhone case.
They are also very popular for overseas visitors as Japanese souvenirs.
You can even find these miniature food samples (like keychains) at dollar stores in Japan, making them an affordable option!
Food samples used to play a practical role as menus, and we can say for sure that it has now evolved into a kind of contemporary art.
5. Summary
How was it?
Next time you see food samples in Japan, take a look at how miniscule the details are!
We at the Food Sample Making Cafe await you in Asakusa, Tokyo!
What are we?
We run Food Sample Making Cafe at Asakusa, Tokyo in Japan.
Here you can immerse yourself in Japanese culture through experiencing food sample making.
We will carefully teach you how to make authentic, professional-grade food samples, so everyone from adults to children can enjoy it!
Your food sample will be completed in about an hour, and you can take it home right away.
The cafe is an indoor interactive zone, so it is recommended for sightseeing on rainy or hot/cold days.
If you want to try making food samples of your own, why not join us?
Reservations can be made here.
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