True-or-false quiz for adults: a full roundup from common-sense questions to surprising trivia!

×

Although omurice is a Western-style dish, it actually originated in Japan. There are various theories about the restaurant where it was created, with Tokyo and Osaka often cited. The name “omurice” combines the French word “omelette” with “rice.”

〇

The “Stroganoff” in beef Stroganoff, a traditional Russian dish of stewed beef and onions, was named after Count Stroganov, a Russian nobleman. There are various theories about why it was given this name, such as that it originated in the count’s household or was passed down within the count’s family.

×

It’s not soy milk but amazake that is called a “drinkable IV.” Thanks to its high nutritional value, amazake has long been enjoyed as a health beverage, containing a well-balanced mix of glucose, vitamins, amino acids, and other components essential to the human body. Because its nutrients resemble those found in an intravenous drip, it came to be known as a “drinkable IV.”

〇

What we tend to think of as the taste of spiciness is actually classified as a form of pain. It’s perceived when nerves in the tongue and mouth are stimulated by compounds such as capsaicin in chili peppers or the constituents of wasabi. Because of this, it’s a sensation different from taste, and it tends to vary more from person to person.

×

Pizza-man isn’t something that originated in Italy; it’s a type of Chinese-style steamed bun that was created in Japan. Imuraya released a “pizza meat bun” in 1979, and it spread through the convenience store industry in the 1980s. The name likely comes from the use of pizza ingredients—such as cheese and tomato sauce—as the filling of the steamed bun. Because pizza is so strongly associated with Italy, it’s sometimes misunderstood, but it’s actually a uniquely Japanese food.