The silicone steamer craze has been in full force in Japan since 2010. With the economy tanking continuously since 2008, single men and women who have never tried their hand at cooking have taken solace in kitchenware that promise quick and easy recipes. My friend from Tokyo who visited me last year, gave me my […]
Author Archives: Yoko Kumano
September 20, 2011
OPENeducation: Napa Valley Bee Company
OPENeducation was a daytime event at the Berkeley Art Museum, and part of the Chez Panisse 40th Anniversary weekend. The event gathered 15 or so organizations creating an outdoor classroom, with kids and adults doing the educating, learning and eating. There was a lot to experience at the event. I surveyed the whole area with […]
September 15, 2011
Japanify: Namuru (Spicy Bean Sprouts)
Japan is known to take ideas from other countries and adapt them for their own. From castella to ramen to hambagu, the Japanese menu is full of food items that could not exist without outside influences. Many of these foods have deviated so far from the original, clouded in cuteness, mildness or sweetness that they […]
September 8, 2011
Japanify: Hikarimono (Blue-Backed Fish)
Iwashi (Sardine) from Mie Prefecture Saba (or mackerel) is often priced really cheap in the U.S. and hovers around at the bottom of many sushi menus. It’s known to be stinky and not as silky as other popular sashimi like maguro and salmon. But I’d like to make it known, loud and clear that I […]
September 1, 2011
Ramen Underground (SF)
I must admit that Washi and I have more-than-healthy appetites and the lunch boxes at the Edible Schoolyard event did not satiate our piggie tendencies. After our pleasant, healthy sandwich meal, we decided to check out the latest the Financial District had to offer in terms of ramen. Thanks to a tip from my brother-in-law […]
August 26, 2011
Edible Schoolyard Lunch
Maiden Lane in San Francisco on Wednesday at 12:30 was swarming with people chowing down on really affordable organic lunch boxes. The event was sponsored by the Edible Schoolyard and Levi’s and went something like this: get in line, grab a lunch for a suggested donation of $5, eat at long farm tables, maybe buy […]
August 25, 2011
Japanify: Kuzu Matcha Kanten with Mizu Yokan
Although we don’t see many kudzu vines taking over large patches of land in the west, it is often referred to as the “mile-a-minute-vine” in the South. It all started in 1876 when someone thought it would be a good idea to introduce the kudzu plant from Japan to the U.S. Instead of providing some […]
August 18, 2011
Japanify: Avocado Sashimi with Yuzu Kosho
Avocado sashimi with yuzu kosho is the easiest dish to make. It’s great to serve your guests before the main course. It’s also an ideal option to serve yourself when you are feeling really lazy but a little fancy. I prepare this for myself when I am craving something heavier than a salad and more […]
August 16, 2011
SF Chefs 2011
SF Chefs spanned three days, August 5-7, and looked like it landed from somewhere in outer space, onto Union Square (notice how the tent is “punctured” by the Dewey Monument pole in the photo below). I went on Sunday around 1pm and the sides of the ginormous tent were lined with 25 chefs’ booths. We […]
August 11, 2011
Japanify: Zousui aka Hangover Porridge
The other morning I woke up with the worst hangover I’ve had in two years. I remember drinking shochu the night before like I was drinking water. I clearly ended up mixing up the two halfway through the night because they both looked the same, yet the shochu tasted better. The upside is that I […]