When I was a kid, my mom made ebi-fry, tonkatsu and korokke frequently. Every time she would serve up one of these deep-fried treats, my sister and I who were both picky eaters, would be satisfied. To this day, I love Japanese deep fried foods. I have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t like the […]
Author Archives: Yoko Kumano
December 15, 2011
Japanify: Yuzu Ginger Tea
It’s that time of the year, when my well-windowed apartment gets really cold and I have to bring out multiple space heaters to supplement the un-strategically placed central heater that seems to whisper lukewarm puffs of air. Luckily, my Zojirushi water boiler and warmer just arrived in the mail and I will have a steady […]
December 1, 2011
Japanify: Nametake (DIY Condiment Crack)
I usually make a vat of potato salad before I leave for a trip, leaving my husband poor and defenseless against the elements of bachelorhood. But this time I didn’t have time before the trip and figured he’d be able to fend for himself… It turns out that while I was gone for three weeks […]
November 22, 2011
Tokyo JUNKtion: Cateriam Cat Cafe
A cat cafe is not a place that serves cat sandwiches. It is a cafe… with cats. Cat Cafes in Japan were very popular in the early-mid 2000s and still remain peppered throughout Tokyo. Building on the otaku culture of manga, maid and mimikaki (ear cleaning) cafes, cat cafes provide solace for people who love […]
November 16, 2011
Radiation + Japan: Interview with Tadaaki Hachisu, Egg Farmer (Saitama)
*This is a part of an ongoing exclusive series on Umamimart, Radiation + Japan. Please check out these other posts and videos for more: Testing of Food in Japan, By Yoko Kumano Interview with Washio, Bar Owner (Tokyo), By Yoko Kumano Testing Report and Thoughts, By Howie Correa Interview with Satoshi Imai, Rice Farmer (Niigata), […]
November 3, 2011
Radiation + Japan: Interview with Washio, Bar Owner (Tokyo)
Washio is one of my favorite nomiyas (watering hole) in western Tokyo. I spent an afternoon with fisherman, enka singer, bar owner extraordinairre Taro Washio and captured it all on video. For more enka pleasure, please watch this amazing music video by superstar Jero.
October 27, 2011
Mochi Tsuki and Shishimai Performance (Saitama)
The OPENharvest group visited the Hachisu residence in Kodama-gun in Saitama Prefecture. We enjoyed a Japanese farm food meal which included fresh edamame, natto, fall vegetable soup, ohitashi (blanched spinach) and mochi. After the meal, Harigaya-san and his troupe performed a shishimai (lion dance).
October 25, 2011
Radiation + Japan: Interview with Satoshi Imai, Rice Farmer (Niigata)
Last Wednesday, I went with the OPENharvest group to a rice farm in Uonuma, Niigata. We harvested one paddy of rice from cutting the rice plants to hanging them to dry on a rack. Rice farmer Satoshi Imai gave me the run down on why his rice is special and how he envisions the future […]
October 6, 2011
Japanify: Nikujaga aka Mick Jagger
Whenever I take a test, I always make associations between certain things in my life so that I will memorize keywords. Sometimes the explanations get really long but sometimes they come to me very quickly and concisely. Sometimes associated words come to me when I am not studying a test, which is the case for […]