Not Japanese, but spent enough time there to confirm that yes, this is true.

I don't think this is particularly unique to Japan though, eg BBQ culture in the US is similarly masculine.

Other examples. Salad culture in the US is feminine. Dessert culture in Japan is feminine.

Boys we must occupy salad spaces and Panera bread and not let them get away with this injustice!

P.S. - When I was there was told different regions have different takes on different dishes. Some foodie types go cross country to try a specific bowl of Ramen.

Was told this by a woman who was doing precisely that. She also insisted on paying for mine because it wasn't a touristy place and she was glad I was exploring her country.

Anyway I'm not Japanese and certainly can't speak for her but deeply believe she will laugh at this article. A lot. Hence I'd rather a Japanese reader chime in.

It is incredibly easy to read such a thing and just unthinkingly let it contort reality. Japan is Japan, it is not the US.

@tmtvl in a peer comment recommended Juzo Itami's 1985 Japanese film Tampopo which is well worth watching.

It's literally includes mascaline Japanese "truck driving" culture with a heavy dash of western cowboy overlay and a women determined to be the best Ramen Chef possible - with a whole lot more thrown in.

But yes, local film, many years ago, already juxtaposing a lone woman in a blokey bloke male heavy culture for comedy and other angles.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampopo

I almost missed that, will add it to my queue, azaasu! :)