Japanese BBQ food and drink

The most appropriate things to eat if you are having a Japanese-style barbecue would be chicken and fish. If you’re cooking fish, hake and salmon are very popular – simply cover with salt, pepper and oil, pop and the grill and make sure you don’t overcook!

Squid is a favourite for Japanese barbecues as it is both tasty and healthy. Clams are popular too - simply wash them and put them on the grill. You'll know they are nearly cooked when the shells pop open.

Japanese food is very pure and clean - emphasising the natural flavours of products like vegetables, rice and soybeans that are often used in Japanese cooking. You won’t find as much red meat served at a Japanese barbecue, as there is traditionally less meat eaten in Japan. This is because historically there was so little land for livestock.

Rice is a must if you are having any kind of Japanese food as it is served with virtually every meal - in fact, in Japan the word for rice and meal means the same thing.

Check out our Japan-inspired barbecue recipes -

> BBQ Coriander Chicken
> Salmon Japonaise
> Chicken Teriyaki Burgers

If you want to know what to what to drink at your Japanese barbecue feast, you can still enjoy your favourite tipple as bottled beer is the most popular barbecue drink in Japan, followed by sake – a rice wine which can be served warm or cold. Whisky with ice and mineral water is also popular amongst the Japanese – see our etiquette guide on how to toast with your drinks.

For final touches, you can make your barbecue really special by making your invitations into origami shapes – for origami ideas visit www.paperfolding.com, and decorate your garden with lanterns – for those who are really keen, get your paws on a kimono at www.johnlewis.com.