Summer


January 15, 2015

Event Recap: MUJI x Umami Mart

by Kayoko Akabori

When MUJI came to us last year to put on a collaborative event together, Yoko and I did not not hesitate to say YES. A leading retailer in Japan, MUJI has been around for decades, outfitting people’s homes, kitchens, wardrobes and backpacks full of understated, minimal, yet high-quality goods. We respect them greatly, and were […]

July 28, 2014

Upcoming Event: 2nd Annual Umami Mart Matsuri

by Kayoko Akabori

Guess what? It’s our birthday! We’re turning TWO years old (can you believe?!?!?!) and as we promised, we are making our Matsuri festival an annual tradition and throwing yet another big bash to celebrate our summertime birthday (holla to the Leos). If you came to last year’s Matsuri, you know how insane it is — […]

June 28, 2013

Happy Summer: Umami Mart Closed July 1-4

by Kayoko Akabori

Yup, that’s right, we’ll be closed for most of July 4 week. We’re heading down to LA to give a sake tasting at Bar + Garden in Culver City! The Oakland shop will be closed from Monday 7/1  through Thursday 7/4 and will reopen Friday 7/5. Our online shop is open though! We will ship […]

June 14, 2013

Kayo’s Kitchen @Hopkins Buffet: Ume Gin Cocktail

by Kayoko Akabori

Welcome to a special edition of Kayo’s Kitchen: Live from Hopkins Buffet! For those who follow our Instagram, you may have asked yourselves, “Where is the Hopkins Buffet?” Well, it’s Yoko’s house of course! God forbid she should name her place something bore-a-thon like Yoko’s Kitchen! I tested out a new cocktail creation recently in […]

May 17, 2013

Kayo’s Kitchen: Harusame Salad for Summer Potlucks

by Kayoko Akabori

I have a confession to make: I am not a fan of potlucks. I’ve always found it to be a lot of pressure and kind of take them too seriously. But bringing a home-cooked dish to a party is not only financially practical for the party host and guests, but also supposed to be FUN, […]

July 23, 2012

Forest Feast: Broiled Stone Fruit

by Erin Gleeson

I was so happy to get nectarines, plums and apricots in the CSA box this week. This is a quick and easy summer dessert- it also works great on the grill if you’re BBQing. I was so happy to get nectarines, plums and apricots in the CSA box this week. This is a quick and easy […]

July 10, 2012

MOTOism: Blueberry Mochi

by Moto Yamamoto

Hi, welcome to my new column, MOTOism. I’ll mostly be cooking here, as always, with the occasional restaurant rant, to keep everyone on their toes. It’s summer, it’s hot, and it’s time to make an easy dessert that doesn’t boil the kitchen. Over the weekend, I made batches of macarons, but I still haven’t figured […]