You can eat raw eggs in Japan. Let’s try to eat raw eggs when you come to Japan!

Just like the United States has its own rules and Singapore has its own rules, Japan has its own manners, rules, and tacit understandings.　In Japan, we say,  “When visiting a village, accept the village’s rules.” It is the same as saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”.　A little trouble, inconvenience, or surprise is one of the most memorable parts of your trip, but it is safer and more fulfilling to have the knowledge beforehand.
In order to enjoy the concept of this site “omakase”, why not learn “what is normal in Japan”?

Typical and standard style of Japanese breakfast “Tamago Kake Gohan” is a dish with a raw egg and rice

Rice topped with a raw egg is a staple of the Japanese breakfast menu. The standard way to eat this dish is to stir a raw chicken egg, seasoned with soy sauce, and pour it over freshly cooked rice.
It is very common for Japanese people. It is an easy, everyday menu item.

When I tell people from overseas that Japanese people eat eggs without heating, they are often surprised. Many Japanese people may be surprised by the fact that they cannot eat raw eggs in other countries. That shows how common it is for Japanese people to eat eggs raw.

Some eggs have a refreshing taste, while others have a rich umami flavor. It is said that this is due to the way they are fed and raised.　In this issue, we will introduce why you can eat raw eggs  in Japan and the delicious dishes made with raw eggs available in Japan.

Why can I eat chicken eggs without heating in Japan?

Eggs in Japan are produced under very high sanitary control and are considered safe to eat raw. However, many countries do not recommend eating raw eggs directly and tend to avoid raw consumption due to health concerns such as the risk of salmonella infection. Eggs sold in Japanese supermarkets are cleaned and sanitized. They are sold at room temperature, but should be stored in the refrigerator at home. They are safe to eat raw as long as they are within the expiration date.

People with weakened resistance or allergies should be careful.

However, as with cured ham and cheese, eating eggs raw may not be recommended for pregnant women or those with weakened resistance due to illness. There are also cases where people are allergic only to raw eggs, so please be careful if you are concerned.
Healthy adult men and women can eat eggs sold in Japan without concern, so please try them!

Why do Japanese eat raw eggs without hesitating?

Dishes using raw eggs, such as “Tamagokake Gohan” and “Sukiyaki” are common in Japan. For Japanese people, eating eggs raw is very natural. In contrast, in many countries, eggs are always cooked with heat and eaten in the mainstream culture, so many people may be resistant to eating eggs raw.
Japanese people also eat fish raw, and perhaps it is the national character of the Japanese people to like to eat raw food.

You should definitely try it when you come to Japan! Delicious dishes using raw eggs

Sukiyaki

Sukiyaki is a well-known dish using raw eggs among foreign people. Sukiyaki is a dish of beef, green onions, shiitake mushrooms, shirataki mushrooms, and other ingredients simmered in a sweet and spicy soy sauce-based sauce. The cooked ingredients are dipped in beaten raw egg and eaten. The thickly seasoned ingredients are mellowed by the raw egg, making it very tasty.

Gyu-don

Beef and onions are simmered in a slightly sweet broth and served on a bed of rice. It is popular as fast food in Japan. Gyu-don restaurants are a must-see when you walk down the streets of Japan. Gyu-don has a different taste when topped with a raw egg.　It tastes similar to sukiyaki.

Carbonara

Carbonara is a pasta dish eaten in Japan. In Japan, some restaurants add a raw egg yolk on top of carbonara.　When you crack open the thick, rich yolk, the taste becomes even more profound. This is a menu item unique to Japan, where eggs can be eaten raw.

Kaisen-don

Kaisen-don is also served at sushi restaurants. Fresh raw fish is placed on top of sushi rice. It is delicious eaten as is, but it also looks and tastes great with a raw egg yolk on top!

Half-boiled eggs and onsen tamago are also delicious!

There are many egg dishes in Japan that I have not been able to introduce in this article.　Ramen noodles are topped with a half-boiled egg that is almost raw inside and marinated in sauce.　Udon and soba noodles are topped with “onsen tamago,” eggs with tender whites and moist yolks.　Eggs, which are available in Japan for about 10 to 30 yen each, are described as the “honor student of prices.　They are cheap, have a long shelf life, are easy to eat and delicious. They are indispensable to the Japanese dining table.

Please enjoy egg dishes in Japan, not only raw eggs!