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February 22, 2016
Building Umami Mart’s Very Own bGeigie by Safecast
One of the most crucial stops of our visit to Japan in January was Safecast HQ in Shibuya. As you may know, Umami Mart is holding a fundraiser TOHOKU SPRINGS BACK, an event commemorating the Tohoku/Fukushima disaster in 2011. We are marking the 5th year since the earthquake and ensuing nuclear power plant disaster — instead […]
February 17, 2016
We Are Hiring!
Attention Umami Mart friends! We are growing our team and are calling out to those who would be interested in working with us. This is your dream job, right? To work alongside Yoko, Chris, Sarah, and yours truly, at Umami Mart, a wonderland of bar tools, kitchen gadgets, glassware, salty snacks, Japanese beer and sake — yes, you have been […]
January 25, 2016
Sneak Peek: The Pot Still at Hitachino Brewery
First there was sake, brewed since 1823 at Kiuchi Brewery in Ibaraki prefecture in Japan. Then, Nest beer in 1996 — catapulting the Hitachino brand around the world. We then learned during our visit that the owner, Mr. Toshiyuki Kiuchi has been dabbling in making shochu, sherry and wine. And now, we unveil their copper […]
January 15, 2016
Dream of Sushi with Jiro Gastronomy
A video posted by Umami Mart (@umamimart) on Jan 15, 2016 at 12:38pm PST Â You’ve probably seen Jiro Dreams of Sushi and are dreaming of the day you’ll eat at Sukiyabashi Jiro in Tokyo. Getting a reservation at this 10-seat, 3-Michelin star restaurant run by 90-year old Jiro Ono, who some consider the world’s greatest […]
October 18, 2015
Sake Gumi News: Just Junmais (Oct 2015)
It’s been three months since starting Sake Gumi. Frankly speaking, Kayoko and I have been overwhelmed by the reception, with members joining from coast to coast. The Sake Gumi love is alive and thriving across America. For October, we wanted to celebrate the end of the rice harvest season in Japan. The last harvest usually […]
October 5, 2015
The Road to Becoming a Certified Sake Professional with John Gauntner
It’s been almost a year since I took John Gauntner’s Sake Professional class in San Francisco. Time flies! Attended by industry, sake enthusiasts and wine and spirits professionals, this was a three-day course that, as Gauntner says, “Leaves no sake stone unturned.” The classes were held in the ornate San Francisco Federal Bently Reserve Building. […]
September 21, 2015
Noraneko Ramen in PDX
Kayoko and I rolled into Portland at around 3pm from Seattle during the first days of summer — and Portland delivered on their end of the summer deal. It was dry, hot and there was no escape from the sun. After attending a meeting and feeling pretty beat overall, we headed over to Noraneko, a new […]
August 24, 2015
Sake Nomi in Seattle
I’ve talked about following your passions in life before (ok, I talk about it like everyday) and here’s a place that embodies a deep passion for sake. Opened in 2007, Sake Nomi is a pioneer in sake retail and tasting in the United States. It is casual and almost feels like you’ve just walked into someone’s […]