Yes -- this is true -- in F the food is comparable to NH/JL J -- LH group J is slightly better than UA -- but that is not saying much... As a side note -- I almost NEVER take the Japanese option on non Japanese / Asian airlines (meaning US/EU/ME) -- they just don't do it enough to understand how to do it properly. On Asian airlines I have it occasionally and while not as good as NH/JL it is acceptable... My wife tried the Japanese option on UA -- ONCE -- and then never again.

Was just giving OP options and opinions as it seems like they have the flexibility to try different options....