In 2011, we visited Hakkaisan, a sake brewery in Niigata. As one of the most well-known breweries in Japan, it was a wonderful experience to walk through the vast facilities, hosted by the production master, Mr. Nagumo. You can read about our visit here. Yoko and I never thought we would visit this part of Japan again, […]
Author Archives: Kayoko Akabori
April 16, 2015
Rice Mill Machine at Aoki Brewery
During our visit to Aoki Brewery in Niigata, we were told that the three most important factors of brewing sake is the rice, the water and the people. The rice that breweries use for sake-making are not the usual grains you find at the grocery store — they use special rice strains like Yamadanishiki, Koshitanrei, Ohmachi, […]
April 6, 2015
UMAMI MART BOTTLE SYSTEM OPENING PARTY
We can not tell you how fun it has been at Umami Mart since we’ve started selling beers and sake. We are America’s first Japanese beer shop! And you ain’t seen nothin’ yet, ya’ll. Getting our license to sell alcohol was our biggest hurdle, and now that it’s here we plan to do this right. We’re […]
March 26, 2015
Postcard from Los Angeles: Kalbijjim at Sun Nong Dan
Shortribs, potatoes and dduk (rice cakes). Savory, comforting and down right delicious. The oils bubbled on the sizzling hot stone platter throughout the entire meal. This feast felt like celebration for kings and queens, family and the closest of friends. Sun Nong Dan 3470 W. 6th Street at Alexandria Los Angeles T: 213.365.0303
March 23, 2015
Upcoming Event: How to Grow Japanese Herbs with Kitazawa Seed Co. + Namu Farm
We are excited to announce a special morning event with our great friends Maya Shiroyama of Kitazawa Seed Co., and Kristyn Leach of Namu Farm. Two years ago, we hosted an event on planting + garden caretaking with Kristyn; remember that? It was a mind-blowing, super-educational event with a great turnout — and we’ve received […]
March 16, 2015
A Visit to Niigata Beer Co.
Our Japan trip last month was a jam-packed, 5-city tour with barware factory tours, sake brewery pit-stops and a visit to a craft brewery! Niigata Beer has been around for 17 years now, brewing beers for the local market, and also making beers for other companies looking to outsource production. They do this quite often […]
March 12, 2015
Umami Tool Watch: How to Use a Misokoshi
The misokoshi is a tool that we have sold since we first opened our shop. It looks like a mini ramen strainer, but alas, it is for straining miso in liquid. Namely, it works perfectly for miso soup. Here’s a video made by Yoko, starring yours truly, of how to make miso soup using a […]
March 9, 2015
Tsuchi-yu Onsen Town in Fukushima
Japan is a country full of people who work hard and play hard. Many put in 60+ hours into the work week, not including the after hours drinking they are forced to join with their colleagues. But I’m happy to report that they rest hard too. Usually there is a ryokan, aka Japanese-style hotel or inn, […]
March 5, 2015
Togarashi Ginger Highball at Jicca (Tokyo)
As you know by now, Tori-chan is a dear friend of ours who opened Jicca, a restaurant and wine bar in the Hatagaya neighborhood in Tokyo nearly two years ago. She is a native of Minami-soma in Fukushima prefecture; a town that was severely affected after the earthquake in 2011. She was in Tokyo at […]