The title of the episode is a reference to The Vapors' 1980 hit song, "Turning Japanese". The song reached #3 in the band's native England, but only ascended to #36 in the United States. The series title, "Pantry Raid" is a reference to a once popular college ritual of sneaking into a sorority or women's dormitory and stealing panties.

Alton: Now, learning to make this soup is in and of itself, like... I don't know... giving a gift to your entire household. But, what's more is that it will introduce into your kitchen a small cast of pantry players each of which possesses the power to elevate even your most humble victuals into... Good Eats!

(Alton has opened a package at the Japanese grocery, prompting the grocer to draw his katana.)
Alton: Alright, alright! I'll buy it!

Alton: Let us now move to the second pillar of Japanese cuisine – tofu.

Alton: (about silky tofu) A potent, protein-laden pantry pal if ever there was one!

Alton: Delicious! And with tons of protein, iron and assorted vitamins and minerals, darn nutritious to boot!

Alton: Why do we need to ultimately condense all that deliciousness, or whatever you want to call it, down into something we can easily package, sell and sprinkle onto food? Why don't we just... eat the delicious foods? I don't know. Maybe I've just been exposed to too much marketing in my time, but as far as I'm concerned? Umami, you're all smoke and mirrors!

Alton: As much as I love making and consuming my own miso soup, you know how I feel about unitaskers... that's right. Well, I feel the same about unitasking ingredients!

Alton: Once you open up your pantry to a little Japanese influence, things can get a little crazy. Tasty, but... crazy.

Alton's check it out, you must is a reference to a Star Wars character named Yoda, whose distinctive “reversed” speech pattern (intended by creator George Lucas to suggest an alien thought pattern) has been parodied relentlessly since the character first appeared in The Empire Strikes Back. Alton is a known fan of the Star Wars films.

The stock Japanese Grocer character with his katana (the sword a samurai uses) and his short temper sends up John Belushi's samurai character from many sketches on the early years of Saturday Night Live. The grocer reacts to Alton opening a package by drawing his sword and brandishing it, prompting Alton to hurriedly agree to purchase the item. Later, he threatens suicide, prompting Alton to purchase even more. These interactions were typical of Belushi's samurai and his customers' responses.