I finally understand where the Japanese got "pudding" from

The dessert pictured is called "pudding" in Japan. The Japanese is "purin", but they use the word "pudding" in English. I always wondered why they call it "pudding", when it is nothing like pudding I grew up with in Ireland. And I also know that it is not the same as pudding in England or even the United States.

However, at least, the American pudding is somewhat in the same zone, because pudding refers to a creamy dessert. But it is not made from egg and does not have caramel sauce, so when you say "pudding" to an American they will imagine something quite different. As far as I know, (do correct me if I am wrong) the dessert pictured above is a called creme caramel or caramel custard in America. And that is what it is called in Ireland and the UK too. 

However, it turns out that in continental Europe pudding can refer to custard-like dessert, which is much closer to Japanese purin, with its smooth egg-based texture and caramel sauce. Moreover, "pudim" is the Portuguese for "pudding" and Japan probably first encountered Western-style custards through Portuguese traders. I always wondered why creme caramel is called "pudding" in Japan, now I know!