Yoko and I were lucky enough to be invited to Gifu prefecture in central Japan to visit specific cities that are known for producing knives, ceramics and wood products, and tour their factories. We had a wonderful three days in different parts of Gifu, looking for new products for Umami Mart, while enjoying the regional […]
Author Archives: Kayoko Akabori
June 30, 2014
Upcoming Event: Drink More Whiskey Book Party + Tasting
For all of ya’ll who have been suggested we hold more, ehem, “alcohol education courses,” this ones for you. And MEN are also welcome to this one! We’re proud to host a whiskey tasting and talk with our friend Daniel Yaffe, author of DRINK MORE WHISKEY, a book published last year. We can’t keep enough […]
June 12, 2014
Upcoming Event: The Forest Feast Cookbook Party
We are so excited to finally announce a proper soiree for Erin Gleeson’s new cookbook, The Forest Feast! The book was published in April and has been selling like hotcakes at our shops. It was far and wide the best seller for Mother’s Day, as you can imagine, and it has been applauded by HuffPo, […]
May 30, 2014
Upcoming Event: A Pop-Up Dinner with JICCA from Tokyo (OAK)
This event is SOLD OUT! Umami Mart + Ordinaire + Selection Massale welcomes JICCA from Tokyo! We are so happy to present a night of spectacular food, wine and FUN (!) with our friend Tori-chan of JICCA (pronounced gi-kkah), visiting Oakland from Japan. Opened in 2013 in Tokyo, JICCA is Tori-chan’s cooking playground serving exciting […]
May 25, 2014
Postcard from Kyoto: Kiln
We are having a blast in Japan, gallivanting through Gifu, Kyoto and Osaka. This trip, we’re not even stopping off in Tokyo, so we can concentrate on all the riches of these western regions of Japan. Kyoto was hot and sticky, and we found cool reprieve at our friend Masayo’s restaurant, Kiln. It has been […]
May 19, 2014
Off to Japan!
Yoko and I are on our way to Japan again! This time to Gifu prefecture to check out ceramics, knives and other fun stuff to bring back with us for ya. We’ll be also stopping off in Nagoya, Kyoto and OSAKA! So much to EAT! Follow us on Instagram @umamimart! See you on the flip […]
May 12, 2014
Upcoming Event: The Fragrance of Whisky (For Ladies Only!)
This women-only event is a collaboration with the Women & Whiskies program and is sponsored by Campari. A portion of the proceeds of ticket sales will go towards Dress for Success, a non-profit organization providing women with professional attire to develop their professional careers. Listen up ladies, this one’s for you! We’re getting together with Wingtip […]
May 7, 2014
Lazyass Cookin’: How to Boil a Dumpling
Have I seriously never posted anything about frozen dumplings? That’s crazy! Frozen dumplings have been my #1 go-to lazyass meal for years now. I used to buy the bags in the frozen food aisle at Chinese super markets, with their bright color-coded bags for bitter melon or chive and shrimp varieties (usually made in Thailand). […]
April 21, 2014
Umamiventure #35: Kitazawa Seed Talk @ Namu Farm (Sunol)
It’s been forever since we’ve organized an Umamiventure in its purely old-school, meet-up spirit. Remember, when I would randomly announce an event, a little bit out of the neighborhood, and we would meet up at said location no matter how long it took to get there? Well, this is the event! Kristyn Leach, managing farmer […]