Ika (squid) hanging out on the backstreets of Shibuya station near the Inokashira west exit.
Author Archives: Yoko Kumano
January 3, 2013
Postcard from Gunma
Complimentary amazake (sweet hot sake) at Anko-dou, a manju/ gift shop in Gunma prefecture.
December 27, 2012
Postcard from Tokyo
Sakura-ebi kakiage at Nunotsunesarashina in Tsukiji, my favorite soba spot when I lived in Tokyo.
December 20, 2012
Japanify: Matsutake Soup
Taking half an hour out of my schedule to slow down and warm up has been possible these past few weeks thanks to this simple soup. The arrival of matsutake mushrooms is here and I couldn’t be more excited. This year at my local market, they have sorted the mushrooms by #1s and #6s. If […]
December 6, 2012
Japanify: Winter Root Nimono
For some, winter may mean honey-baked hams and Santa Claus. But at my house, it means nimono. Nimono simply means “simmered things” in Japanese. You can pretty much simmer anything, but the simmering liquid is usually a combination of dashi, mirin and soy sauce. I was happy to find some very wintry root vegetables at […]
November 29, 2012
Event Recap: Oorutaichi @ Umami Mart (OAK)
Just a little over two months ago, my good friend in Tokyo sent me this short email: “Hey, I know Umami Mart isn’t a music venue, but would you be interesting in hosting a show for a friend of mine?” Oorutaichi, a one-man powerhouse from Osaka (home to Japanoise bands like the Boredoms and Hanatarash) […]
November 15, 2012
Japanify: Kale Ohitashi
Although I have embraced the fact that I have now crossed-over into 30-somethingdom, my diet has not caught up. With age, my body is clearly not as forgiving when I’ve had a few too many glasses of wine. The idea of taking multi-vitamins has been hanging over my head for a while now, with no […]
November 1, 2012
Japanify: Grilled Sanma
When the persimmons and matsutake start populating the markets in Japan, so do the sanma (Pacific Saury). They are so abundant, they are practically giving them out for free. For less than 100yen per fish, it’s the most economical choice to celebrate autumn. It’s another story out here in California. I was perusing my local […]
October 25, 2012
Japanify: Negitoro Don
I am posting a recipe for negitoro donburi for the pure fact that this is the most delicious thing to make in under 5 minutes if you have cooked rice on hand. If your fish monger sells toro pieces for cheaper, grab the opportunity to make this dish. If pieces of toro are not available, […]