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A dish of “hashed beef” on rice. Until the Edo period, except in a few areas, people in Japan commonly did not eat anything other than chicken or seafood. It wasn’t until modern times that beef and pork became commonly consumed. It seems that “hashed beef” was introduced to Japan during the Taisho and early Showa periods. “Beef stroganoff”, a Western-style dish similar to “hashed beef”, was brought to Japan around the same time. As you know, the staple food in Japan has always been “rice”. The first criterion to determine whether or not a dish from overseas can be accepted by Japanese food culture was whether or not it can be a side dish for rice. This is probably true. And… well, we’re sure it got a general evaluation as “a delicious dish as a side dish for rice”. Later, the Japanese love for rice bowls led to the creation of “hashed beef” over rice, or “hayashi rice”. Probably, the dish is roughly the result of such a process…!
By the way, what’s with this “Hayashi” name…? Sorry. As you know, there are many theories, and we don’t understand them. However, it is an undeniable fact that today, “hayashi rice” is a very original dish that has been adapted to the tastes of the Japanese people. Japanese people have always tended to like dishes that are moderately sweet and spicy, with a good amount of soup stock, right? Compared to the original hashed beef, the taste is much more complex, and the flavors and aromas are quite different. You would be surprised!
