Umami Mart

By Yamahomo Originally posted on April 21, 2008 PREFACE Macaron Battles Part 1 & 2 The Battle Continues I must master this. I think I came pretty close to what macaron should be on trial 3, but I mixed the batter too much, hence it was too thin. Over the weekend, I made it three […]

For those who are curious to eat more responsibly in the seafood arena, mackerel is an ideal option. For the rest of us who don’t care about being responsible, mackerel is also an ideal option because of its salty-savoriness that’s addictive and a great complement to a glass of shochu. Succeeding last week’s Japanify for […]

With all this garbage talk from NYC to LA about city officials revoking food truck permits, I decided to go out and support SF food trucks yesterday. Supporting them, meaning, EATING LUNCH. It’s the best kind of support, right? Viva La Food Truck! Since my friends Travis and Claire had told me about Chairman Bao, […]

  It’s that time of year again folks! That’s right, it’s Cinco de Mayo, or as some call it, “Cinco de Drinko,” which is Americans’ favorite Mexican holiday that most Mexicans don’t celebrate. Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not the day of Mexican independence.  That would be September 16.  Rather, Cinco de […]

I like to think that I have sharp instincts and a knack for good flavors in the kitchen– my parents are both professional chefs, as is my brother. So in theory, I should be a supernatural. But something in the kitchen always goes horribly wrong when I am asked to follow a recipe to make […]

Oh, you’re gonna love this. I was shuffling through the spicerack in my mama’s kitchen the other day, preparing to make my buttered bread pudding, when I finally found what I was looking for: vanilla extract. Hmmm, I thought: this looks a bit outdated, no? Curiously, I examined the box. Gotta love the faux wood […]

I’ve been a bit nostalgic these days, with the end of the decade approaching… any minute now. It’s a heavy load! The 00’s have certainly been a heartstopping (OBAMA!) slash heartbreaking (9/11) decade. Sigh. It’s over. As I have thought heavily on the best films (IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE, dir. Wong Kar-wai), books (PATTERN […]

PREFACEStop #1: South Beach Bar & Grille (Ocean Beach) Wow, I totally fell off the fish taco train, didn’t I? SORRY!! Last week was just kinda nuts, with Tday and everything– I hope everyone had a delightful holiday! It’s just the most important day of the year, as far as I’m concerned. How could a […]

Remember my post about making a Japanese cheesecake? It’s a simple recipe, but very difficult to retain the fluffiness because of all the egg whites. Although it rises high during baking, but it shrinks down like an old person once you take it out of the oven. It’s like taking Viagra before baking: it performs […]

After all my bitching, I finally got my fancypants on at Zuni Cafe last month. I must say that the place far exceeded my expectations. It was all in the butter. I have a slight obsession with butter, as you all know. It is a major detail that so many fancy restaurants overlook, it drives […]