Umami Mart

We are excited to announce a special morning event with our great friends Maya Shiroyama of Kitazawa Seed Co., and Kristyn Leach of Namu Farm. Two years ago, we hosted an event on planting + garden caretaking with Kristyn; remember that? It was a mind-blowing, super-educational event with a great turnout — and we’ve received […]

As you’ve seen from my previous posts, my current apartment has a nice-sized balcony, which gets wonderful sunlight. I make the most out of this luxury by hosting barbeque dinners, and make my own dried mushrooms and umeboshi. When you have outdoor space, you gotta grow some vegetables, right? Here are my babies: I brought back shiso […]

On a lovely spring day, we hosted an event focused on seed season and gardening. One of our most popular items at Umami Mart are the Asian vegetable and fruit seeds by the Kitazawa Seed Company — so we knew that many people in our community would be interested in a gardening event. The talk […]

Ah, the joy of roommates. The Ramen Shaman lives with three other dudes in a house in Los Angeles, meaning our fridge is war zone of groceries for four people each cooking for one. But to be honest there’s not a whole lot of cooking going on in this household. I actually enjoy making food, […]

What defines youth? 
Is it the age of our bodies when they’re crisp and fresh and still full of get go? Or is it more of a spiritual definition? Sometimes age really is just a number. My parents are good friends with a married couple who are in their 60’s but act nothing like it-– […]

It’s finally fall in Denmark, everything is moody, rainy, rotting and falling apart. It’s my favourite part of the year. This weekend I jumped on the train and 6 hours later I got out at the other end of the country. My parents live far away from everything– two km to the nearest neighbour. So […]

I am not a gardener. I have no interest in physical labour, no patience for watching stuff grow and I’m always too busy for watering. But after spending one year looking at a pack of Japanese Shiso leaf seeds I got from Yoko (a pure shisoholic) I had to cave in and try it out […]

My mother grows rainbow chard in her garden. I held this yellow leaf up to the sun for a photo.

On a recent trip to see my family in Sonoma County, I took some photos in my Mom’s beautiful little vegetable garden that is surrounded by redwood trees. My dad built all the raised beds and my brother Ryan (who is an amazing gardner) has helped plant all sorts of wonderful things. It’s so fun […]