Japanese food is famous worldwide. We all know sushi, tempura and tofu. A lot of Japanese food looks like art. It is surprising that Japan's "dish of the year" for 2022 is frozen food. The Gurunavi Research Institute gives a prize every year for new trends in food. Frozen food got the prize because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Many people did not eat out at restaurants. Instead, they bought frozen food and ate at home. The winning frozen food was very basic. The judges selected a variety of frozen meat and pizzas. They were wrapped in their air-tight bags.

The pandemic got food companies experimenting with different ways of freezing food. They wanted to make sure it tasted good, even after it thawed out. One of Japan's largest supermarkets has opened a frozen food shop. It sells over 1,500 different frozen food items. Japan's convenience stores and vending machines are also selling more frozen food. Japan's Frozen Food Association said changing lifestyles have increased the popularity of frozen food. Japan has an ageing society. Many older people think frozen food is more convenient than cooking.