In this brief essay, I discuss some of the cultural and educational differences that I have experienced between Sweden and Japan, after having worked fi ve years as a Specially Appointed Associate Professor in Swedish at Osaka University. I also show how one can use food and food descriptions as a pedagogical tool in the teaching activity. Since food constitutes an important part of the cultural heritage of both Sweden and Japan, these kinds of descriptions not only improve the linguistic skills of the students but also teach them the importance of this rich part of Swedish culture.