When describing the Japanese diet, the words "One soup, one dish" is often quoted, meaning the Japanese have very sober and simple diet having only one soup with one dish at a time. This tradition originated from Zen culture in the 12th century. Zen monks adapted very simple life style in their ascetic practice eating unpurified crops such as brown rice, millet, barley and buckwheat together with a bowl of miso soup and a dish of vegetable condiment such as Takuan. This "One soup, one dish" concept is still alive in today's Japanese diet. Dashi first time appeared in the historical document in the early 8th century.