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Japanese food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world and for good reason. Based on “rules of five,” traditional Japanese cooking, or washoku, emphasizes variety and balance. This is achieved through the use of five colors (black, white, red, yellow, and green), five cooking techniques (raw food, grilling, steaming, boiling, and frying), and five flavors (sweet, spicy, salty, sour, and bitter). These principles can be found even in a single meal of one soup and three sides paired with rice, 一汁三菜 (ichiju-ju, san-sai). With its aesthetic of beautifully presented food and the use of fresh, high-quality seasonal ingredients, it's no wonder that Japan's cuisine is so delicious and so highly prized by people around the world. If you're looking to expand your knowledge of Japanese food, here are ten of the best traditional Japanese dishes.