Did you know that a bee’s lifespan is based on the distance it has flown? One bee lives to fly about a total of 500 miles. This is just one of the many things we learned from Betsy and Miguel of East Bay Urban Bees during our hive tour. The tour could not have happened […]
Author Archives: Yoko Kumano
October 11, 2012
Japanify: Matsutake Farro
The other day, Washi and I went to Uniqlo thinking we could just casually stroll in two days after its opening. First reality check: there was a line winding two blocks down the building. So we went to some other shops. Second reality check for Washi: he couldn’t fit comfortably into a size M anymore. […]
September 27, 2012
Japanify: Steak Sauce
Whenever I go see my 92 year-old grandma and have a conversation over tea, she drops all kinds of wisdom bombs on me. And she does it so casually, I never really notice the impact her words have on me until I am on the freeway, driving back to Berkeley. Last week, she said “I […]
September 20, 2012
Japanify: Pork + Myoga Madness
Myoga madness continues as I experiment with the harvest from my sister’s myoga plant. Last week, I topped raw myoga on tofu. This week, I make a stir fry with myoga and slices of pork shoulder. I am very inexperienced with cooking mammal meat and quite intimidated when it comes to preparing chunks of it. […]
September 13, 2012
Japanify: Hiyayakko with Myoga
My sister has a giant myoga plant that is thriving in a shady spot by her chicken coup coop. Powerful myoga buds started busting through the styrofoam container walls a few weeks ago. The plant was inherited from someone who could not contain their myoga and had to give away large patches to get their […]
September 6, 2012
Japanify: Harusame Bento (Bean Thread Noodle Stir Fry)
I’ve been really into harusame (bean thread noodles) ever since my grandma sent me home with some two years ago. With a quick soak in some warm water, these noodles are ready to be fried or boiled, depending on what kind of texture you are in the mood for. Since opening Umami Mart, Kayoko and […]
August 23, 2012
Japanify: Warm Shiitake and Corn Salad
After a whole summer of non-stop sunshine, fruit smoothies and ice-cold Franzia boxed wine (that was actually only for a day, sadly…), I’m really looking forward to the comforting food of autumn. I am not complaining though. I am a huge fan of cold noodles, raw oysters and the buckets of ice cream we allow […]
August 16, 2012
Tokyo JUNKtion: Toraya (Roppongi Hills)
On the very special occasion that a visitor from Japan would bring Toraya to our home in Cupertino, I would actually be excited about eating. I was a very picky, skinny child, but whenever my mom busted out the Toraya I would eat blocks of yokan (red bean dessert) and stack as much anko into my […]
August 9, 2012
The Street: Maracuja (Passion Fruit)
Spending two weeks in Brazil the middle of the Umami Mart build-out was a bit disorienting. But the abundance of tropical fruits on street stalls, in the grocery store and in fancy restaurants forced me forget about home and embrace the fact that I was living amongst wild coconut trees and bossa nova. As a […]
July 26, 2012
Postcard from Rio de Janeiro: Romeo + Juliet
A common dessert in Brazil called “Romeo and Juliet” comprised of goiabada (guava paste) and Minas cheese. The contrast of the sweet guava and the subtle and slightly savory Minas was a winning combination. Easily one of the best dessert finds during my trip; quintessentially Brazilian.