Author Archives: Umami Mart Staff


July 27, 2016

Wet Your Whistle Like It’s 1930 at The Savoy!

by Umami Mart Staff

“Harry Craddock was once asked what was the best way to drink a Cocktail: ‘Quickly,’ replied the great man, ‘while it’s laughing at you!’” – From the Forward of The Savoy Cocktail Book In 1930, Harry Craddock*, a barman at London’s Savoy Hotel, published a book featuring what would become some of the most well-known […]

July 21, 2016

Bring The Cold Sake Set on Your Next Date!

by Umami Mart Staff

The Cold Sake Set has everything you need to chill out and cool your jets with some refreshing sake. In this case, the crowd-pleasing Dassai 50, a crisp and delicious junmai daiginjo that’s perfect for sipping on warmer days. We often recommend Dassai 50, as it’s a great high-quality entry-level sake that even connoisseurs enjoy. Try […]

July 20, 2016

Umami Mart Is Hiring! Part Shopkeeper Wanted

by Umami Mart Staff

We are growing our team and calling out to those interested in working with us at Umami Mart. We’re currently looking for a part-time shopkeeper. Read on for details.

July 15, 2016

Diamonds + Gold: A New Take on an Old Fashioned

by Umami Mart Staff

We love the restrained refinement of gold-rimmed glassware. A touch of bling adds just the right amount of ornamentation without going overboard. Our newest glasses up the bling times two – diamond cut glass and gold edging along the lip – but are still tasteful and elegant. In fact, we think the Toyo-Sasaki Diamond Cut Old […]

July 14, 2016

Off-Site Event: Preserving and Cooking with Koji

by Umami Mart Staff

Join us next Thursday, July 21, at Preserved (5032 Telegraph Ave.) in Oakland, where Yoko and Kayoko will be teaching a class about Preserving and Cooking with Koji. Koji, or Aspergillus oryzae, is a rice mold that’s been used in Japan to produce sake, miso, and shoyu for hundreds of years. Recently, modern chefs have discovered the wonders of shio […]

July 13, 2016

Upcoming Event: Intro to Making Syrups with Emily Han

by Umami Mart Staff

Join Emily Han at Umami Mart on Sunday, July 24, from 1-2:30 p.m. for Intro to Making Syrups, a free demonstration and tasting. At this event, you’ll learn about when, why, and how to use syrups to make sodas, cocktails, and mocktails, as well as basic techniques to make them yourself at home using fresh and […]

July 7, 2016

Cool for Summer: Studio Arhoj Summer Bowls

by Umami Mart Staff

It’s a cool, cool summer. At least in the Bay Area, where we’re getting fogged-in a bit this week. Still, when summertime comes around, we’re all about eating chilled foods, like Hiyashi Chuka, Cold Tofu Salad, Cha-Soba, and Nikumiso Udon. Our two new Studio Arhoj Summer Bowls are perfect for tucking in to cold dishes. Their […]

June 30, 2016

5 Beer Glasses to Best Enjoy Your Favorite Brews

by Umami Mart Staff

Sure, you can just pop the cap off a bottle of beer and chug, but we prefer to pour our suds into a beer glass for maximum enjoyment. At Umami Mart, we have five different glasses just for sipping beers: Toyo-Sasaki Hard Strong Pint Glasses are perfect for lovers of ales, stouts, IPAs, porters, and […]

June 23, 2016

Create Your Dream Registry at Umami Mart!

by Umami Mart Staff

Wedding bells in your future? Congrats! We’re excited for you, not only for your big day, but because now’s your chance to receive all those cool things you’ve always wanted for your home! Be sure your friends and family get you what you really want by creating a registry at Umami Mart. You’ll be able to […]

June 9, 2016

Get Lucky! Hamaya Bring Good Fortune + Good Design

by Umami Mart Staff

  People love the wall installation of hamaya (arrow) in our Oakland shop. Drawn in by the striking stark white (and single red) wood arrows arranged in neat rows, many take photos of the wall and some ask, “What are these for?” If you’ve ever wondered that question yourself, hamaya are symbols of good luck in Japan. Much […]