Eat Out


March 17, 2014

Tokyo JUNKtion: Hosomaki Diaries

by Yoko Kumano

Trends in roll combinations in the States are rapid, with so many joints coming up with their own “house” rolls. Conversely, the combinations of rolls or makimono are very constant in Japan. In this post, I am specifically referring to hosomaki (or thin rolls). There are the staples: kappa (cucumber), oshinko (pickled radish) and kanpyo (dried […]

March 7, 2014

Postcard from Nahoko: A Pale Tone

by Nahoko Morimoto

A popular snack in Taiwan, these sandwiches contain a fried egg, rousong (pork floss), and cucumbers.

March 5, 2014

Event Recap: Ramen Shop in Brooklyn!

by UM Guest

By Anna de Castro Just when I thought February in NY could not get any dreamier (and by dreamy, I mean cold, slushy, and awaiting 6-8 more inches of snow), word came that a Bay Area favorite was making its way east, to shed a bit of light on our blustery season. Ramen Shop Oakland […]

February 28, 2014

The Ramen Shaman: Nagi (Golden Gai)

by Will VanderWyden

Nagi, Nagi, Nagi. This one’s been near the top of my ever-expanding ramen bucket list for a long time. I’ve been to a Nagi branch before — it was the first Tokyo bowl I had with fellow ramen blogger Brian from Ramen Adventures, and my first niboshi ramen (aka broth made from dried baby anchovies). […]

February 24, 2014

Tokyo JUNKtion: Jicca

by Yoko Kumano

Whenever I visit Tokyo, I look forward to meeting newborns… especially when I’ve followed the progression of their parents. No, I’m not talking about newborn babies. I’m talking about new places to eat. On our first full night in Tokyo, Kayoko and I visited Jicca, our friend Tori-chan’s place. She opened Jicca last August in […]

February 12, 2014

The Ramen Shaman: Koshin (Nishi-Shinjuku)

by Will VanderWyden

My new neighborhood in Tokyo is called Yayoicho, just a mile west of Shinjuku, one of the biggest entertainment and nightlife spots on planet earth. It’s like Times Square, only if New Yorkers hung out there all the time instead of clueless tourists and touts. My part of town is pretty suburban, with a cluster […]

February 10, 2014

Ordinaire, My Neighborhood Wine Shop (Oakland)

by Kayoko Akabori

I’ve lived in the Grand Lake district of Oakland for four years now, and we’ve never had a proper wine shop. Popular restaurants like Camino dot Grand Avenue, along with nail salons, bike shops, a wonderful book store, Oaktown Spice Shop — but if I ever wanted a bottle of wine, I would have to […]

February 6, 2014

Throwback Thursday: Umamiventure #1

by Kayoko Akabori

I realized yesterday that Umami Mart will turn seven years old this month. WOOOOO! That’s seven years of banter, restaurant reviews, recipes and… more banter! The fun never stops on Umami Mart, and although we’re all seven years older (and a bit more, ehem, wiser), I’d like to think that we’ve retained our sometimes grotesque, […]

February 3, 2014

Slightly Peckish: Tim Ho Wan: Michelin-Starred Dim Sum on the Cheap (HKG)

by Sakura Gooneratne

It’s been twenty years since I last set foot in Hong Kong and I was excited to hear about some of the city’s huge changes, including its new airport. The last time I flew into the city, I remember seeing people hanging up their laundry as the plane cruised by the high rises into Kai […]

January 29, 2014

The Ramen Shaman Moves to Tokyo

by Will VanderWyden

I’m on my longest trip to Tokyo yet. I moved here! They granted me a one year visa, and I’ve been here for twelve days now. I still can’t believe it. My dream for many years has finally come true. I left Los Angeles before Thanksgiving to spend time with my family in Ohio; and […]