It’s really hard to choose my most memorable post on Umami Mart. They’re like my children, I must love them all the same! Well that might not entirely be true, and although I haven’t blogged much over the last year, Umami Mart is a part of everything I do. The blog started so casually, but […]
Author Archives: Kayoko Akabori
April 9, 2013
Flashback Fave: Ryohei aka MOTOism + Yamahomo
When I asked MOTO what his most memorable post would be, he immediately replied back with: “It’s always wedding cake post for me. The amount of practice and trial and error it all took… yet the worst case scenario at the end was so priceless. I still vividly remember my conversation with Kayoko when we […]
April 5, 2013
Event Recap: First Annual Hinamatsuri
How often do you see babies on the front page of Umami Mart??? Well, it was bound to happen at some point. Look at her, she’s adorbz! It is quite rare for either Yoko or myself to show our true girly colors, but we could not resist the urge to celebrate WOMEN at our first ever […]
April 1, 2013
Upcoming Event: Ippo Ramen Pop-Up
We are SUPER EXCITED to host a pop-up by Ippo Ramen this First Friday 4/5. Proprietor Steve Yee will be here starting at 6pm, ready to cook up some noodles to serve you his ramen. His simple menu consists of three choices: shoyu, miso and shio (salt) broths. He makes everything except the noodles by hand, […]
March 12, 2013
Upcoming Event: Lease-Signing Party!
In August, Tomo gifted us a daruma to celebrate the opening of Umami Mart. It is tradition to draw in one eyeball when you receive it while making a wish, then fill in the other when the wish comes true. Our wish was to sign a lease in six months. And we did it! We […]
March 7, 2013
Event Recap: Aya Brackett Photography Show Opening
We had a fun, bustling opening last month for our friend Aya Brackett‘s photography show opening. Titled Home is Oakland, Home is Japan, 12 of Aya’s photos are on exhibit on the back walls and nook of Umami Mart. Professionally, Aya’s food photography has been published in The New York Times, Monocle and Bon Appetit — for this show, Aya has […]
February 27, 2013
Umami Mart Seeks Intern!
It’s been over six months now since Yoko and I started our shop in Oakland, and we’d love a motivated team member to join us! We’re ready for a star intern to help us grow and be a part of the inner-workings of Umami Mart. FUN! Here’s the description below — please forward to anyone […]
February 25, 2013
Upcoming Event: Hinamatsuri (Girl’s Day)
Yoko and I are showing our true, girly colors by celebrating Hinamatsuri (Girl’s Day) at Umami Mart! We had to do it — Yoko’s mom spent over a decade making a traditional ohinasama (ornamental doll) display with five tiers (!) that we felt we absolutely must showcase. Girl’s Day in Japan lands on March 3 every […]
February 15, 2013
Upcoming Event: Seed Season: Planting + Garden Caretaking
Kitazawa Seed Company will be unable to join our event this Saturday. But Kristyn Leach of Namu Farm will be here to talk about planting, and garden upkeep. Please join us! Spring is rapidly approaching, and that means seed season! What would you like to plant this year? How will you best maintain your plants? […]