In January, Japan Inbound participated as a consultant in the project by the Ehime Ryokan Association to develop a new menu that will appeal to foreign visitors. A tasting event was held in March. The chefs of ryokan hotels from all over Ehime gathered at a catering school in Matsuyama to prepare the new menus developed with advice from Japan Inbound.
International students and residents from Europe, America and Asia served as evaluators. The dishes were based on the traditional regional foods of Ehime. Since Ehime is part of the Shikoku Pilgrimage and attracts vegetarian Buddhists, we recommended a menu of shōjin ryōri (Buddhist vegetarian food) suitable for vegans, Muslims and Jews.
The shōjin ryōri can be enjoyed by anyone subject to food restrictions. Cooked seafood was also available for those who can’t eat it uncooked. There was also extensive information in English about the ingredients used so that foreign nationals can eat the food with peace of mind.
The chefs demonstrated considerable ingenuity in adapting the dishes to meet visitors’ requirements, while maintaining their authentic character. They used a very wide range of local ingredients, paying attention to texture and appearance as well as to taste and compatibility.
Several issues remain, and we will continue to work with the Association and other hospitality providers to ensure that authentic local cuisine can be offered to foreign visitors without fear of confusion.