When it comes to food presentation, the Japanese are experts. From super kawaii (cute) character bento boxes to luxurious ¥30,000 sushi courses, it’s safe to say people place great importance on looks.
However, I don’t know about you, but the word isogashi (busy) fittingly describes my life in Japan. So when it comes to food presentation, naturally, my first response is: “Ain’t nobody got time for that!” followed by a sour face.
But as it turns out, allocating a small portion of our precious time to attractively presenting food comes with surprising benefits.
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It Helps With Mindful Eating
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Food Tastes Better
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Food Feels Better Too
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You Can Get Creative
- Because You’re Worth It
1. It Helps With Mindful Eating
Image: Anisa Kazemi
When it comes to mindful eating, seeing our food is really important. A simple exercise involves deeply looking at an object, in this case, the food in front of us, and working backward to its “origin”—taking into account the various factors or ingredients that have allowed it to be exactly what it is in that precise moment.
In Japan, many meals are served in such a way that encourages this reflection. Whether it’s a beautifully arranged plate of sashimi (raw fish slices) or a hand-crafted bowl of ramen, each dish tells a story about its preparation and origins. Looking at a beautiful and creatively presented dish is much easier than visually dissecting a sloppy plate.
2. Food Tastes Better
Image: Anisa Kazemi
Eating is a sensuous experience. Before our mouths have tasted a thing, our eyes have already judged it. This makes visual appeal just as important as taste, which is why food styling and photography are legitimate occupations. Further, during a behavioral experiment, diners rated an artistically arranged salad as more delicious—and were prepared to pay more for it. See, it’s scientifically proven that food presentation bumps up food taste.
3. Food Feels Better Too
Image: Anisa Kazemi
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