Eating insects in Japan

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the world population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2030, leading to a growing problem of food shortage. One of the ways to tackle food shortages related to population growth and global warming is to eat food from insects.

In Vietnam or some country in South East Asia, are quite familiar with many dishes of insects. But, do you know that in Japan, the attractiveness of insect dishes is increasing.

In terms of nutrition, insects have the same nutritional composition as beef and cattle. Depending on the species, insects can contain up to 80% protein, and are a source of fat, fiber, vitamins (especially vitamin B), micronutrients and minerals (such as iron and zinc).

Taiwanese water bugs with Japanese udon noodles. Tokyo resident Shoichi Uchiyama is the author of “Fun Insect Cooking”. His blog on the topic gets 400 hits a day. He believes insects could one day be the solution to food shortages, and that rearing bugs at home could dispel food safety worries.

In this article, we would like to introduce some places in Japan that we can try some Japanese style insect dishes.

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Kome & Circus Takadanobaba 米 と サ ー カ ス 高田 馬 場 本店

Address: 2-19-8 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Phone number: (+ 81) 03-5155-9317
Working hours: 17: 00-24: 00 (No regular holidays)
How to get there: 1 minute walk from the Waseda exit at Takadanobaba Station on the JR Yamanote Line, Tozai Line, Seibu Shinjuku Line)

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Chinjuu-ya 珍 獣 屋

Address: 1-45 Nogecho Naka-ku Yokohama Kanagawa
Phone number: (+ 81) 045-260-6805 / 045-260-6805
Hours of operation (Monday – Friday & Sunday) 17: 00-21: 00 / (Saturday) 17: 00-23: 00
How to get there: About a 5-minute walk from JR Sakuragicho Station and Hinodecho Station on Keikyu Line
Please note that customers with children under 12 years old are not allowed in the store.

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