A strong wave of Paraguayan gastronomy is sweeping through Tokyo. Traditional Paraguayan dishes such as vori vori, empanadas, and guiso de arroz (rice stew) have garnered significant attention, captivating the palates of Japanese people, considered among the world's most discerning gourmets. A special culinary event held in Tokyo as part of Paraguay's National Day celebration, coinciding with Expo Osaka, vividly showcased the fervent interest in Paraguayan culture within Japan.
At the heart of this event was Mika Nishijima, a renowned Paraguayan broadcaster and businesswoman. She led a masterclass on Paraguayan cuisine, attended by 14 prominent Japanese chefs, cooking instructors, and homemakers. This event was organized by the Association of Cultural Exchange of Japanese Gastronomy, stemming from Nishijima's visit to Japan as part of a 64-member delegation of Paraguayan entrepreneurs.
"Everyone was fascinated by our cuisine, especially the empanadas, vori vori, rice stew, and chipa a la licuadora (blender chipa)," Nishijima stated after the class, conveying the enthusiastic response of the Japanese public to Paraguay's unique flavors. Notably, vori vori was cited as one of the most popular dishes among the Japanese. Vori vori is a soup made with chicken or beef broth and small dumplings of cheese and cornmeal, a representative comfort food in Paraguay that offers a warm taste similar to Korean tteokguk or sujebi. Empanadas are fried dumplings with fillings, loved throughout South America, and in Paraguay, they are typically made with meat, eggs, and olives.
Following the masterclass, a dinner attended by 25 participants was held at the Paraguayan restaurant 'Amigo'. Here, attendees further deepened their culinary journey through Paraguayan cuisine, savoring the rich food culture of Paraguay. Amigo restaurant is one of the few establishments in Tokyo specializing in traditional Paraguayan dishes, playing a crucial role in introducing the exotic flavors of Paraguay to local Japanese diners.
The event received significant praise in Paraguay as well. Angie Duarte, Paraguay's Minister of Tourism, shared an emotional message on her social media: "So proud to see our rich gastronomy captivate the palates of gourmets in Tokyo! Mika Nishijima showcased the true flavors of Paraguay in a masterclass that captivated Japanese chefs and cooking enthusiasts."
A Significant Turning Point for Paraguayan Cultural Spread in Japan
The spread of Paraguayan culture in Japan is currently more active than ever. The recent visit of Paraguayan President Santiago Peña to Expo Osaka and the official opening of Paraguay's National Day generated considerable coverage in the Japanese media, significantly contributing to imprinting Paraguay on the Japanese public's mind. This culinary event, along with other cultural and artistic activities held in Japan, such as arpa (harp) music, danza de las botellas (bottle dance), and traditional kyre’y, helped showcase Paraguay's diverse charms. In particular, the unique sound of the Paraguayan arpa left a deep impression on the Japanese, contributing to increased interest in Latin American music.
Cultural Diplomacy and Expanding Business Opportunities
This cooking class was part of a broader strategy of cultural diplomacy and international promotion. The Paraguayan business delegation, consisting of 64 entrepreneurs, visited Japan with the goal of opening new doors for investment, trade, and knowledge exchange between Paraguay and Japan.
Nishijima emphasized, "The Japanese response was amazing and helped us further promote our gastronomy," making it clear that the ties between the two countries are strengthening beyond institutional levels, through the dinner table. Through this event, Paraguay had the opportunity to be perceived by the Japanese not merely as an agricultural exporting nation, but as a country with a rich culture and unique gastronomy. This is expected to have a positive impact on the development of Paraguay's tourism industry in the future. It is hoped that such cultural exchanges will continue to deepen understanding and cooperation between the two nations.
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