Umami Mart

Why are old things, places, clothes, movies, books, more interesting than what’s available to us today? Is it because the grass is always greener? Or that you always want what you can’t have? I’m sure that’s part of it, but it has to be more than that. The authenticity, the history, the credibility? Whatever the […]

Going on a mezcal tasting was very high on my list of things to do in Oaxaca. I was introduced to mezcal last year at the San Francisco pizzeria Beretta, when I told the bartender to make me whatever he desired. He mentioned a spirit from Mexico which was like tequila, but with notes of […]

As Hideko always says, “Simple is Best”. Here I was, walking around the main square in Oaxaca, stuffed from a massive breakfast, but this blue tin tub spewing hot oil was calling my name. Sweet plantains on a styrofoam plate, drizzled with condensed milk and topped with chocolate sprinkles? Dreamsicle. This was the best dessert […]

Umamiventure #30 was indeed a memorable affair, and much more than what any of us expected. It was a night of Serious Coffee Schooling– from the bean picking process, to roasting, to tasting– all courtesy of Four Barrel Coffee in San Francisco. Since opening in 2008, Four Barrel has become a front runner in the […]

Last night there was a big snow storm here in Copenhagen. At some point I looked out the window and saw huge lightning flashes across the horizon. Never experienced this combination before, it was beautiful and intense. And so due to all the sudden snow everything is moving in a snow-slow pace. Most planes out […]

Last month, I visited Oaxaca City for a week-long, much-needed vacation. It may sound silly, but I came back a changed person. There is something magical about Oaxaca– the food, the people, the colors, the phenomenal art and dedication to culture. The Cathedrals were magnificent (I am such a sucker for Roman Catholicism, bloody Jesus, […]

Being a single gay nerd means the only sausage you’re gonna get is down at the hot dog stand. Eating a ho tdog is part of being Danish– or at least it used to. The fast food army of America and the growing health awareness has overturned the old wiener kingdom, and now eating a […]

I was lucky to be in Maui this past Labor Day weekend for a good friend’s wedding. When I got there I checked out the beers in the market and noticed a few from the locally brewed Maui Brewing Company. Since I had a few extra days I decided to check the place out. The […]

Feijoada is not an everyday meal. It takes a long time to cook, is super heavy, and is served at most restaurants only twice a week (a holdover on the old catholic weekly dietary restrictions, here in Brasil). It isn’t fast food. It puts you in a coma after eating. It requires all of your […]

Still on a quest to find excellent tan tan men in the Bay Area. Tan tan men is ramen with ground beef and cilantro, in a spicy hot soup– I used to eat it all the time in Tokyo. Here’s a bowl I had last week at Himawari Ramen in San Mateo. Descent, but my […]