RiCE #45: Into The Wild

Buy RiCE magazine in Europe with Domo: RiCE is a Japanese magazine dedicated to contemporary gastronomy, culinary culture and the people who make it possible. Founded in Tokyo in 2016, its editorial approach combines high-quality photography, minimalist design and a narrative perspective that goes beyond food, exploring the ideas, trends and movements that define today’s cuisine in Japan and around the world. Each issue focuses on a monographic theme, offering a concise, aesthetic and in-depth look at the many facets of the culinary world.

What is this issue about? With bear sightings making headlines in Japan, the relationship between humans and wildlife is being questioned more than ever. How should we deal with the “wild” that has come closer to cities? A clue may lie in the food culture of gibier (game meat).

Unlike livestock, which is an efficient and stable source of protein, game meat comes from animals that live in mountainous regions and are hunted for consumption. Its supply is highly uncertain, and standards can vary from one animal to another. Yet it is precisely this ambiguity that makes it so appealing.

Game meat is a treasure full of possibilities: its wild flavor, the quality that comes from animals that have roamed freely through the fields, and its distinctive character that makes it perfect for pairing with sake.