Photos by Jazmine Livingston On a cold December night, just days before Christmas, we hosted Peko-Peko for a night of HOT noodles! Sylvan and Hayato showed up with two big boxes of hand-pulled udon, plus roasted duck and leaks for garnish. And a huge pot for boiling the noodles! It was a wonderful event, full […]
Author Archives: Kayoko Akabori
December 21, 2012
Tamagoyaki @ Otafuku Noodle House (LA)
We drove a long way from Los Angeles proper to try the soba at Otafuku in Torrance. The shop donned no sign, except a neon “Open” sign that flashed in the window. The place was packed with hungry folks for lunch, lone salarymen sitting at the bar, and housewives chatting amongst one another at the […]
December 19, 2012
Uni + Ikura Custard
Chilled ikura and uni chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) at Sushi Kuni restaurant. *Photo by Johnny LopesÂ
December 17, 2012
Upcoming Event: Hand-Pulled Udon by Peko-Peko
It’s chilly out! Come by on Thursday for a bowl of udon, hand-pulled by Sylvan Brackett of Peko Peko. He will most likely be serving the soup with roasted duck and mushrooms. Sylvan’s udon are some of the best I’ve had in the Bay Area. Don’t miss this! WHAT: Peko Peko pop-up @ Umami Mart, […]
December 13, 2012
Upcoming Event: Selection Massale Wine Party
Popuphood is turning 1yo! We’re so thrilled to be a part of this great community for its first anniversary. To celebrate, we’re throwing a wine party! Our good friend Cory is the co-proprietor of Selection Massale, an East Bay-based wine distributor, focused on discovering wines by smaller, organic producers in Europe. We love Selection Massale’s […]
December 11, 2012
Lazyass Cookin’: Mapo Tofu
Life is busy these days. With the shop in full holiday swing, it’s hard to find time to cook. But Yoko and I are good about taking turns bringing bentos — it’s nice to take the time to plan out what to make next. The key is to make a big vat of something so […]
December 10, 2012
Upcoming Event: Hanukkah Party This Wednesday
Happy Hanukkah everyone! We’re throwing a celebration this Wednesday on the fifth night. Our good friend Rabbi Jack Prosnit will be here to light the menorah and hang out with us. And of course, there will be food + drinks — latkes by Lizzy of Greasebox and hot sake by Takara. Yup, it’s kosher! WHAT: […]
December 5, 2012
Ask Sushi Kuni: Usuzukuri
Uzuzukuri is one of my favorite preprations of sashimi. Kuni (my dad) would make this for very special occasions growing up, usually New Year’s Day or Thanksgiving. It is so gorgeous that you almost feel bad eating it. But not that bad. The word usuzukuri derives from è–„ã„ (usui, or thin), meaning fish that is sliced thinly. […]
November 23, 2012
The Forest Feast Show Thru January
I met Erin Gleeson during our freshman year of college in Santa Barbara. She would walk around campus with colorful wraps on her head, always a smile on her face. She always glowed with a certain magical charm that we all wanted, but could never quite attain. It was our junior year that we would […]
November 21, 2012
Happy Holidays at Umami Mart
The holidays are just around the corner, can you believe it??? I absolutely can not. It’s been a crazy year for us at Umami Mart, and it’s only about to get busier. I can’t even believe it’s Thanksgiving tomorrow, I have no idea what I’m cooking yet! Anyhow, we’ve put together some killer gift sets […]