Author Archives: Kayoko Akabori


May 24, 2008

The Umami Reader, vol.019

by Kayoko Akabori

Mining the i n t e r n e t for stuff worth reading. I was work crazed this week so I didn’t get to read so much. Lucky for you!: How shrivelly, dried up sea creatures create an “Umami Arsenal” (via Grocery Ninja of SE) Colorful banana covers!!! No more bruised bananas! (via Tmonkey, […]

May 22, 2008

umamichatter: Tofu Noodles and TJ’s Fried Onion Pieces

by Kayoko Akabori

amira: what to do for lunch… amira: oh, i’ve recently started with tofu noodles amira: AMAZING amira: no carbs, all solulable fiber amira: amazing in soup kayoko: nice! kayoko: where do you get them? kayoko: i’ve never heard of that amira: i bought them from the little Japanese market on 23rd st kayoko: JAS Mart! […]

May 21, 2008

Dim Sum Find: Chrysanthemum Tea and Coconut Jelly

by Kayoko Akabori

Went to dim sum in California- Dynasty in the former Vallco Mall (which, in my humble opinion, is better than Joy Luck Place), and got this for dessert which was totally new to me. It’s coconut jelly, lined above with a chrysanthemum tea jelly, encasing bright red jewel-like goji berries. Flavor explosion! A really weird […]

May 20, 2008

Jewel Box From My Pops

by Kayoko Akabori

For my birthday, Kuni, my dad, handed me this box. A new diamond necklace, perhaps? Um, there is no way in hell that would EVER happen- I’m not even sure my mom has gotten anything of that sort since the wedding ring, uh, THIRTY YEARS AGO. So what was inside? Something better than diamonds, for […]

May 19, 2008

Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth at Miette Confiserie (SF)

by Kayoko Akabori

Spent a day in San Francisco with my girl Vanessa- we walked around Hayes Valley, and stepped into this charming little candy shop, Miette. It’s a colorful fantasyland for anyone with a serious sweet tooth- you’re transported to a candy shop from the 1950s, with a huge selection of candies and chocolates, plus beautiful, organic […]

May 17, 2008

The Umami Reader, vol.018

by Kayoko Akabori

Mining the i n t e r n e t for stuff worth reading: A comprehensive how-to map on taking advantage of the Ikea ferries and shuttles to get your Red Hook Ball Fields ON this summer. They totally geeked out for this! Love it! (via Adam, Ed Levine’s NY Eats) Egos collide when Wolfgang […]

May 15, 2008

umamichatter: The Great LA Taco Truck Debate

by Kayoko Akabori

Preface reading: yesterday’s sneak preview reader. jim: yo kayoko: ah, there you are! jim: here i am jim (2:44:04 PM): so the taco truck thing kayoko: yes taco truck kayoko: tell me a little about it??? kayoko: the only reason i know it’s going into effect tonight is cause of Tastespotting jim: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-taco16apr16,1,4570192.story jim: this […]

May 14, 2008

Sneak Preview: LA Taco Truck Ban In Effect Tonight at Midnight

by Kayoko Akabori

Just got through a heated chat session with my friend from LA about the new ordinances against taco trucks that will be going into effect tonight at midnight. Taco trucks will be fined $1000 or up to 6 months jailtime if they are parked in one spot for longer than an hour. WTF?!?!?! To prepare […]

Ceci Nest Past Un…

by Kayoko Akabori

Jorge lives in Portugal, where he is researching for his book on music and migration. He’s back for a month, so I’m trying to get as much quality Jorgetime as possible. Check out this little project that Fumiko and I came home to one night. You know that Magritte painting of a pipe that says […]

May 13, 2008

Wine Heaven at the Suburban Grocery Store

by Kayoko Akabori

Just got in really late last night from a weekend in Cali. Surprised my mama for mom’s day! I scored big points with that one- I expect that to override anything that would be considered bad daughter behavior for the next few years. I’m really exhausted and I’ve got a busy day ahead of me, […]