Author Archives: Kayoko Akabori


February 12, 2008

The Umami Reader, vol.012

by Kayoko Akabori

Noteworthy readings and eatings (NOT breaking news): Dreamy Vday Date: White Castle with table service! (Eater) NYC Food Truck Map (Grub Street) The Baconscarf- gift it! (Baconwrapt Scarves, via Matt) Adrian Tomine on the cover of Times Dining! (NYT) Di Fara slices now $4: The breakdown (Grub Street) Oishii Eats explores Oaxaca: A picture diary […]

February 11, 2008

Mangiamo 2007: A Night in Assisi

by Kayoko Akabori

Ok, I know this is ridiculous– even though it’s been months since I went to Italy, I still feel the need to finish blogging my fantastic eats (my computer with all my Italy pics died a few months ago, but we’re back!). Probably one of my best meals ever in 2007 was in Assisi, at […]

February 8, 2008

Chinese New Year to Cure Hangover

by Kayoko Akabori

The Wang Trio (mom, Jessica and sister Stephanie– what a hottie powerhouse!) hosted a wonderful Chinese New Year dinner last night, complete with homemade dumplings (that we all help wrap!), “stuffed” cabbage, steamed fish (my favorite), and ginger soy chicken. There was also this bomb ass cellophane noodle dish called cao mi fen, which is […]

Fridgin’ Out

by Kayoko Akabori

I know, this “what’s in your fridge” shit is so tired! But I’ve been wanting to blog about these specific food finds, so I’m just gonna bite it and start the “Fridgin’ Out” column. What a DORK. Here’s this funky herb concentrate stuff that I got at a little Argentinian bakery in Jackson Heights called […]

February 6, 2008

Gift This: Kyotofu for Vday

by Kayoko Akabori

Valentines Day is coming up (BARF), and while I am usually cynical about this day, you can win me over with a box of yummy treats from Kyotofu. I’m so easy! As Sonja reviewed in December, Kyotofu is a cutesy little restaurant specializing in nouveau t0fu in the unexpected neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan. […]

February 4, 2008

A Can of Beer Bigger Than Your Head

by Kayoko Akabori

Went to a bday bash for Erin the other night at Noona, a hip little new Korean bistro/bar on the edges of Prospect Heights. There, you can get cans of Asahi bigger than your head. Here is Casey demonstrating: he could barely wrap his hands around it, and it is indeed the size of his […]

January 31, 2008

Katsuhama Lunch

by Kayoko Akabori

We took our colleague David out for lunch yesterday cause he’s jumping ship. Sad for us he’s leaving, but happy cause we used it as an excuse to make a little excursion to Katsuhama. You see, I work all the way on 1st avenue in midtown, which means that it has to be a pretty […]

January 30, 2008

The Umami Reader, vol.011

by Kayoko Akabori

Noteworthy readings and eatings (not necessarily what you would call breaking news): Supper club mania (Edible Brooklyn) Interviews with 3 hottie female sommeliers at top restaurant in SF, LA and NY (Splendora) Pasta carbonara vs. Pasta all’amatriciana: Debates in authenticity (Eternally Cool & NYT) Paula Deen’s Fried Butter Balls: fatty treats for Super Bowl weekend […]

January 28, 2008

Umamiventure #6: Jackson Diner

by Kayoko Akabori

Trekked out to Jackson Heights on Saturday for our monthly Umamiventure- a food field trip that we take to cult-following foodie places all around the 5 boroughs (that the DOH wouldn’t necessarily recommend). After all the hoo-hawing about the Indian food at Jackson Diner, I thought that this would be a good opportunity to check […]

January 25, 2008

Waiting for Sakae Sushi to Open

by Kayoko Akabori

NY’s first kaiten sushi (sushi on a conveyer belt) will be opening any day now. Until yesterday, the windows were still covered- a guy (a partner/owner?) saw me peeking through the paper and invited me in to check out the space. When I asked if I could take pictures, they declined. But looky looky- here […]