Portugal and Japan: Portuguese influences in Japan

In the 16th century, the first Portuguese arrived in Japan. They were the first Europeans to land in Japan. As a result, there are many similarities between Portugal and Japan today. Portuguese influences in Japan can be seen in gastronomy and language.

Portugal and Japan: Portuguese influence on Japanese cuisine

One of the most famous dishes in Japanese cuisine is tempura: a vegetable or shellfish surrounded by breadcrumbs and deep-fried, which is not really Japanese! Tempura owes its origins to the Portuguese. The Portuguese used to cook fish and shellfish in a doughnut batter. The Japanese drew inspiration from this cooking method to create tempura. The term “tempura” comes from the verb “temperar”, which means “to season” in Portuguese. Strangely enough, in Portugal, the term “tempura” is rarely used. In restaurants, you’re more likely to see the term “peixinhos da horta”, which means “little fish from the garden”, but which, as the name suggests, refers to breaded beans or peppers, not fish.

Tempura (Japanese cuisine) and Pexinhos da horta (Portuguese cuisine)

Castella” or “Kasutera” is a Japanese cake introduced by Portuguese missionaries to the city of Nagasaki, and quickly became a great success. If you live in Portugal, you’ll be familiar with this cake. It’s the famous pão de lò, which I’ve already mentioned in my article on Portuguese desserts. It has become a specialty of Nagasaki, but can be found all over Japan, accompanied by a good cup of tea. It’s very popular!

Kasutera (Japanese cuisine) and Pão de ló (Portuguese cuisine)

Portugal and Japan: The Portuguese influence on the Japanese language

The Japanese language includes around a hundred Portuguese words linked to the fact that the Portuguese were the first Europeans to land in Japan in the 16th century. Here are a few examples in the table below.

Japanese words from Portuguese.

*Contrary to popular belief, ” arigato” does not come from “obrigado”. “Arigato” comes from “arigatashi”, which comes from “aru” (theverb “to exist”) and katashi, an adjective meaning “difficulty “. An expression used long before Portuguese contact with Japan.

Do you know of any other similarities between Portugal and Japan?

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