Umamiventure

Umamiventures are organized monthly, traveling far and wide to find good, cheap grub off the beaten path.

May 17, 2010

Heads Up – Umamiventure #25: Knife Sharpening Workshop at Hida Tool & Hardware (Berkeley)

by Yoko Kumano

I owe much of my knife sharpening knowledge to the folks at Hida Tool & Hardware in Berkeley. So when a few people emailed me about wanting to learn more about sharpening knives, and/or purchasing a hocho, I thought it would make sense for me to bring those people with me to Hida Tool & […]

April 21, 2010

Umamiventure #24: Guerilla Ramen Night (SF)

by UM Guest

This Umamiventure report, a love letter to ramen from the old world to new, is written by special guest writer Wen, originally posted on her blog, We Eat Everything. All photos by Wen. A recent New York Times article about exploring Tokyo via its ramen shops left me desolate, homesick, and hungry. I whined to […]

April 12, 2010

Heads Up- Umamiventure #24: Guerilla Ramen Night (SF)

by Kayoko Akabori

Let’s say I know this guy. We’ll call him Marcel. Marcel is a ramenaholic. You think you love ramen? Oh no, not like Marcel loves ramen. Marcel has traveled to Japan multiple times to meticulously research the art of ramen. The broth. The noodles. The pork. This dude is so obsessed, that he pulls his […]

March 16, 2010

Umamiventure #23: Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse (NYC)

by Kayoko Akabori

Umamimart finally relaunched last month. We made it! It’s now, I hope, faster and easier to navigate for ya’ll– and of course, so much prettier. Although we’re still tirelessly trying to work out the kinks, I think this move marks a new era for Umamimart. Heck Yah! To celebrate, I made a pitstop to NYC […]

February 12, 2010

Umamiventure #22.5: Everett & Jones (OAK)

by Kayoko Akabori

PREQUEL Umamiventure #22: St. George Spirits & Hangar One Vodka (SF Bay Area) What’s the best accompaniment to whiskey? BBQ all the way! As I’ve already told you, the very first time I tasted St. George whiskey was at Fette Sau, a barbecue joint in Brooklyn. So it was only appropriate that we complet the […]

February 9, 2010

Umamiventure #22: St. George Spirits & Hangar One Vodka (SF Bay Area)

by Kayoko Akabori

Photos by Mike Brandeberry and Kayoko Akabori. ‘Tis true: there lives a kickass distillery named St. George Spirits, just east of San Francisco, right across the Bay Bridge, in a little town that bleeds into Oakland, called Alameda, in California. A group of us went a few weeks ago and experienced it in all its […]

February 4, 2010

Heads Up – Umamiventure #23: Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse (NYC)

by Kayoko Akabori

HELLO NEW YORKERS!

So I always said that when the big relaunch finally (finally!) happened, I would have a big party in NYC, no matter where I was in the world. It’s where it all started! Without NYC, there would be no Umamimart– you better believe it. So I’m COMING!

After lots of deliberation, it has been decided to hold the big bash at the one and only Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse. Saturday February 20, 9pm. Pencil it in please!

January 11, 2010

Heads Up – Umamiventure #22: St. George/ Hangar One Distillery (SF Bay Area)

by Kayoko Akabori

It’s that time of month again- UmamiventureTime! I figure the best way to stave off the bitter January cold (ha!) would be a day of vodka and whiskey tasting. Ok, ok, it’s just another excuse to get us all drunk. There could be no better way to kick-off 2010 together. Seriously though– I’m really excited […]

December 7, 2009

Umamiventure #21: SD Fish Taco Crawl, Last Stop (Small Bar)

by Kayoko Akabori

PREFACEStop #1: South Beach Bar & Grille (Ocean Beach)Stop #2: Tin Fish (Gaslamp Quarter)Stop #3: Mariscos German Taco Truck (Normal Heights)Stop #4: El Zarape (University Heights) There’s something about walking into a bar and having a dozen beer taps against a wall that excites me. It’s doubly thrilling when I’ve never heard of half the […]

December 1, 2009

Umamiventure #21: SD Fish Taco Crawl, Stop 3 (Mariscos German Taco Truck)

by Kayoko Akabori

PREFACE Stop #1: South Beach Bar & Grille (Ocean Beach) Stop #2: Tin Fish (Gaslamp Quarter) After Tin Fish, we started losing steam– I was about five tacos and three beers in, and god, that San Diego sun is so intense! I was getting sleeeepy, and I knew I needed to slow down. Two more […]