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January 7, 2013

Postcard from Tokyo

by Yoko Kumano

Ika (squid) hanging out on the backstreets of Shibuya station near the Inokashira west exit.

January 4, 2013

Postcard From Tokyo

by Yoko Kumano

Oden shack on the backstreets of Monzennakacho, Tokyo.

January 3, 2013

Postcard from Gunma

by Yoko Kumano

Complimentary amazake (sweet hot sake) at Anko-dou, a manju/ gift shop in Gunma prefecture.

January 2, 2013

Zosui for the New Year

by Kayoko Akabori

There is nothing like zosui (rice porridge) to soothe a year of overeating + drinking. Recipe here.

December 28, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

by Kayoko Akabori

2012 has been one hell of a year for us. It started with some awesome events, like the Tokyo-SF Bartender Salon at Prizefighter, Ramen Night at Sutton Cellars, and a Japanese whisky tasting with Suntory for Father’s Day. Then holy cow, we opened a shop in Oakland! Designed by the talented Dane Anders Arhøj! It […]

December 27, 2012

Postcard from Tokyo

by Yoko Kumano

Sakura-ebi kakiage at Nunotsunesarashina in Tsukiji, my favorite soba spot when I lived in Tokyo.

December 26, 2012

Event Recap: Peko-Peko Udon Pop-Up

by Kayoko Akabori

Photos by Jazmine Livingston On a cold December night, just days before Christmas, we hosted Peko-Peko for a night of HOT noodles! Sylvan and Hayato showed up with two big boxes of hand-pulled udon, plus roasted duck and leaks for garnish. And a huge pot for boiling the noodles! It was a wonderful event, full […]

December 21, 2012

Tamagoyaki @ Otafuku Noodle House (LA)

by Kayoko Akabori

We drove a long way from Los Angeles proper to try the soba at Otafuku in Torrance. The shop donned no sign, except a neon “Open” sign that flashed in the window. The place was packed with hungry folks for lunch, lone salarymen sitting at the bar, and housewives chatting amongst one another at the […]

December 19, 2012

Uni + Ikura Custard

by Kayoko Akabori

Chilled ikura and uni chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) at Sushi Kuni restaurant. *Photo by Johnny Lopes 

December 18, 2012

MOTOism: Move Over Shio Koji, Here Comes Shio Yogurt

by Moto Yamamoto

Trends in Japan changes as often as Taylor Swift changes boyfriends. It’s like, wasn’t she dating the Kennedy kid and even bought a house across from his in order to be close to him? Next minute, she is shacking up with one of the bad boys from One Direction. And she publicly stated, “I don’t […]