Traditional Japanese Food to Eat When We Have a Cold

What do you eat if you feel like you are catching a cold? The most comforting food for people in western countries might be a bowl of chicken soup.
In Japan, negi (green onion) and ginger are said to keep our bodies warm and are often consumed. Here are some traditional Japanese food/drinks we often have when we feel like we are catching a cold.

1. Tamagozake (egg and sake)
Tamago-zake contains Japanese sake (alcohol drink) and eggs, and it keeps the body warm. .

2. O-kayu (rice porridge)
O-kayu is the most common "sick food" in Japan. O-kayu is easy to digest and is easy to eat. Add various ingredients, such as vegetables, egg, and meat, depending on your appetite.

3. Shoga-yu (hot ginger drink)
Mix 2 tsp of grated ginger and 2 tsp of sugar in a cup, and pour 2/3 cup of hot water in the cup. Use fresh ginger root to make shogayu.

4. Negi-miso-yu (hot green onion drink)
Put 2 tsp of miso and 1 Tbsp chopped green onion in a soup cup, and pour 2/3 cup of boiled water in the cup. It's hot, so let it cool for a bit.

5. Tori Zosui
Torizosui is a kind of Japanese rice soup. Usually, leftover steamed rice is simmered in dashi soup. Torizosui is a zosui with chicken.

6. Amazake
Amazake is a thick drink which is traditionally made by allowing a mixture of steamed rice and rice koji to ferment.