We’ve reached the end of the tournament. After weeks of voting and many delicious battles, only two dishes remain. Now it all comes down to this… 🥇 THE GRAND FINAL 🥇 🍚 Hitsumabushi vs 🥩 Jingisukan Refined Nagoya tradition versus bold northern barbeque. Only one will be crowned our community’s Favourite Japanese Food. 🍚 Hitsumabushi (ひつまぶし) A celebrated specialty from Nagoya, hitsumabushi features grilled unagi (eel) served over rice — but with a unique twist. You enjoy it in stages: First on its own, then with toppings like green onion and wasabi, finally with broth poured over to create a comforting ochazuke-style dish. Why it made the final: - Rich, smoky eel flavour - A multi-stage dining experience - Elegant and deeply traditional - A dish that feels special every time - This is layered Japanese culinary artistry. 🥩 Jingisukan (ジンギスカン) A proud specialty of Hokkaidō, jingisukan features lamb grilled on a distinctive dome-shaped metal plate. The meat cooks on top while vegetables below absorb the juices, creating a smoky, communal BBQ experience that’s perfect for sharing. Why it fought its way here: - Bold, unique lamb flavour - Social grilling experience - Strong regional identity - A dish built for gatherings This is northern Japan’s grilling pride. 🗳️ THE FINAL VOTE It all comes down to this. Which dish will be crowned Japanese Language Learners’ Favourite Japanese Food? - The elegant richness of hitsumabushi 🍚 - Or the smoky BBQ power of jingisukan 🥩 Cast your vote and make your case! Now we crown the champion. 🏆

ようこそ！Youkoso!!🙇‍♂️ Welcome to all our new members over the last week. This community is for us to learn Japanese together. There is a lot to master, but if we support each other in going step by step, we can do it! This week's question is: お寺か買い物か？⛩️🛍️ おてらかかいものか？ otera ka kaimono ka? Temple or shopping? Spiritual reflection, or retail therapy? This question is open to all! Bonus points if you explain your choice! Arigatou, Joe Sensei. Welcome: @Karasu Arts @David Vegt @Matthew Peil @Lo Origel @Julia Stanley @Rd Purno @Jonas Carvalho de Araujo @Serdar San @Michael Walsh @Dimitar Penkov @Yash Goyal

It's sakura season! 🌸 Let's be inspired by their beautiful blooms and their fleeting charm to master hiragana in just 10 days. The last time we did a hiragana challenge, students were able to jump-start their Japanese journey and develop a strong habit of studying while mastering the writing system. If you'd like to join the challenge, let me know in the comments. We'll start in a few days and you will be a master of hiragana before the last cherry blossom falls.

Yesterday’s winner was… ひつまぶし (Hitsumabushi)! 🍚🔥Nagoya’s legendary eel dish swims into the Grand Final! That means one spot remains. Today’s battle will decide who faces Hitsumabushi in the championship match. 🔥 Japanese Food Tournament — FINAL FOUR 🔥 🍞 Shokupan vs 🥩 Jingisukan Cloud-soft comfort versus smoky northern BBQ. Only one reaches the Grand Final. 🍞 Shokupan (食パン) Soft, fluffy and gently sweet, shokupan is Japan’s beloved milk bread. Whether toasted thick with butter, turned into sandwiches or eaten fresh from the bakery, its cloud-like texture has made it a daily favourite across Japan. Why it’s still standing: - Ultra-soft, pillowy texture - Light sweetness from milk and butter - Perfect for sweet or savoury toppings - A comforting everyday staple This is simplicity perfected. 🥩 Jingisukan (ジンギスカン) A proud specialty of Hokkaidō, jingisukan is grilled lamb cooked on a distinctive dome-shaped metal plate. The meat cooks on top while vegetables absorb the juices below, creating a smoky, social BBQ experience. Why it’s a serious contender: - Unique lamb flavour - Interactive grilling experience - Strong regional identity - Perfect for gatherings with friends This is northern Japan’s grilling tradition. 🗳️ Time to Vote! Which dish will face Hitsumabushi in the Grand Final? - The cloud-soft comfort of shokupan? - Or the smoky BBQ power of jingisukan? Vote now and defend your favourite! 🍞🥩 Tomorrow… the Grand Final begins. 🏆

Yesterday’s winner was… ジンギスカン (Jingisukan)! 🥩 🔥Hokkaidō’s smoky grill storms into the Final Four! And now… the Final Four begins. Every dish left standing has survived multiple rounds. From here, every vote is huge. 🔥 Japanese Food Tournament — FINAL FOUR 🔥 🍤 Tempura vs 🍚 Hitsumabushi Crispy culinary craftsmanship versus rich Nagoya tradition. Only one reaches the Grand Final. 🍤 Tempura (天ぷら) Light, airy and perfectly crisp, tempura is one of Japan’s most famous dishes. Seafood and vegetables are coated in delicate batter and fried quickly so the natural flavours shine through. When done well, it’s crispy but never heavy. Why it’s a championship contender: - Golden, crunchy perfection - Elegant technique and balance - Loved both in Japan and around the world - Works with prawn, vegetables and seafood alike This is precision you can taste. 🍚 Hitsumabushi (ひつまぶし) A specialty from Nagoya, hitsumabushi is grilled unagi (eel) served over rice — but enjoyed in stages. First as-is. Then with toppings like green onion and wasabi. Finally with broth poured over to create a comforting tea-style finish. Why it’s still standing: - Rich, smoky grilled eel flavour - A multi-stage dining experience - Strong regional pride - Feels special and celebratory This is tradition layered with flavour. 🗳️ Time to Vote! Who reaches the Grand Final? - The golden crunch of tempura? - Or the rich Nagoya experience of hitsumabushi? Cast your vote and defend your favourite! 🍤🍚 The championship is getting close…