The UM Reader

January 20, 2009

The Umami Reader, vol. 039: Sea Kittens and Gwenyth Picks

by Kayoko Akabori

– PETA hopes to change the word “seafood” to “sea kittens”:“A lot of people don’t realize that fish are capable of feeling fear and pain, that they develop relationships with each other, and even show affection by gently rubbing against one another.“Ummmmm good luck with that. (via Tmonkey; canada.com) – The Umami Mart theory that […]

January 13, 2009

The Umami Reader, vol. 038: The Bizarro Edition

by Kayoko Akabori

The Umami Reader brings you international headline food news every Tuesday, however outdated it may be. Please email links to what you’re reading to umamimart@gmail.com Trader Joe’s sues NYC grocery store Gristede’s for opening a look-alike store they named Trader John’s. “My name is John and I am a trader so I don’t know what […]

January 6, 2009

The Umami Reader, vol. 037

by Kayoko Akabori

The Umami Reader brings you international headline food news every Tuesday, however outdated it may be. Please email links to what you’re reading to umamimart@gmail.com Put Alice Waters in the White House kitchen? Why not? (NYT Blog) Variety’s Grady Hendrix calls the upcoming film, RAMEN GIRL, starring the ever-Clueless Brittney Murphy, the #1 must-see film […]

December 23, 2008

The Umami Reader, vol. 036

by Kayoko Akabori

The Umami Reader brings you international headline food news every Tuesday, however outdated it may be. San Francisco restaurants struggling in this failing economy (SF Gate) HYPERBODEGA: you can now order toilet paper and a ham on rye at 2am in Brooklyn! (Hyperbodega; via Tmonkey) Obama Eats One of the Obama’s favorite Chicago joints, Rick […]

December 15, 2008

The UM Reader, vol.035

by Kayoko Akabori

The reader has slacked off a bit, but I will bring you links each week, if I’ve got links to share with you. Usually this comes out on Saturdays, but I’m trying out Tuesdays for now. Let’s see if this sticks. Sake brewing internship at Daimon Brewery in Japan: a one-week experience for 5 lucky […]

October 11, 2008

The Umami Reader, vol.034

by Kayoko Akabori

Some food for thought from this week: Sacrifice your razor to shave the face of a pig, all in the name of making your own headcheese. Such a fantastic video! (via Amy, Fat is Flavor) What you will find in the fridges of 4 food activists/ purveyors. Remember Fridgin’ Out? I promise I’ll bring that […]

October 4, 2008

The Umami Reader, vol.033

by Kayoko Akabori

Funny how some weeks I have nothing to share with you, and some- like this week- I have a ton of reading for you. I gave you a day off last week, now, it’s back to the books: Bartering pints for eggs in the UK? Let’s make it happen on this side of the pond […]

September 20, 2008

The Umami Reader, vol.032

by Kayoko Akabori

Can’t get enough of Cake Wrecks- and this one is my favorite (via Dan and Amy Ann, Cake Wrecks) Nasty-ass moldy ziploc bags to keep the playground bullies from stealing your lunch- GENIUS! (via Mike T., Sherwood Forlee) 101 Cookbooks becomes a Kiva Lending Team to help support food-based programs in developing countries (via Dawn, […]

September 12, 2008

The Umami Reader, vol.031

by Kayoko Akabori

Sorry I skipped out last week- didn’t have anything to report. I’m making up for it this week, though: Will Japan’s “konbini” concept make its debut in the States? Smaller food shops providing prepared meals and drinks? Can I get a whut whut… (via Tmonkey, NY Times) Live and work on an organic farm in […]

August 30, 2008

The Umami Reader, vol.030

by Kayoko Akabori

Cupcakes 2.0: the new generation (via Hamamama, NY Post) Umami in the news- check out this commercial! (via Merriberry, Youtube) Which reminds me of the Kikkoman soy sauce commercial from a few years ago which is friggin hilarious- SHOW ME, SHOYU! *What did I miss? Email what you’re skimming these days to umamimart@gmail.com