Why does Japanese cuisine have more MSG than others

 

To answer this, we must go back to Japan a century ago when Professor Kidunae Ikeda, discovered the fifth taste Umami, while having a soup made of Kombu, a heavy kelp which when soaked in hot water gets the essence of dashi, the stock base of the tangy broths Japanese love.

Later umami was recognized to be the taste of glutamate, from which MSG is derived. Roots of MSG go back to this kombu seaweed, used as a base for many Japanese soups till date. Hence is evident why the Japanese are so sentimental about their noodle soup, which is considered the working-class food that nourished the nation during the bleak days post WW2.

Soups, meat broths, sauces are the main dishes in Japanese cuisine. Where the main ingredient is MSG.

As the product MSG, the seasoning was primarily marketed to the Japanese housewives by using their trademark, a housewife in an apron, in newspaper advertisements, on signboards, and on-ground stamps, the MSG industry flourished throughout Japan, making it a daily staple by now.

Products like Ramen, Knorr soups have gained immense popularity in recent times not only in Japan but also globally. Japan remains the main hotspot for MSG production and consumption to date. Read more about What is msg made of