The UM Reader

September 16, 2016

The Umami Reader: Kewpie Mayo Dependency is Real

by Sarah Han

– Writer Kevin Pang examines his Kewpie mayo dependency with an excellent piece on the addictive Japanese condiment. The article explores Kewpie’s history, breaks down its ingredients and why it tastes so good on everything and anything, and has news of an U.S.-produced version coming soon (which, predictably, will not contain MSG). (A.V. Club; via John Lombardo; photo of okonomiyaki by Kayoko Akabori) – […]

September 9, 2016

The Umami Reader: No, Pho Is NOT the “New Ramen”

by Sarah Han

– This week the Internet got really mad at Bon Appetit and a chef named Tyler Akin, a non-Vietnamese chef in Philly who serves Vietnamese food at his restaurant, Stock. The reason for the furor? In a video by Bon Appetit and accompanying article (socialized online as “PSA: This Is How You Should be Eating Pho”) […]

September 2, 2016

The Umami Reader: A BART Station That Smells Like Chocolate Chip Cookies

by Sarah Han

– A friend recently posted on Facebook, “Anyone else wonder why the Millbrae BART station always smells like chocolate chip cookies baking? Not that I’m complaining …” It’s true, you really can’t complain when you smell something good on BART. Apparently, my friend is not the only one who’s asked that question. Well, it turns out […]

August 26, 2016

The Umami Reader: David Bowie’s 1980 Sake Commercial Is Creepy and Awesome

by Sarah Han

– Here’s one from the archives: Did you know David Bowie appeared in a Japanese sake commercial in 1980. The ad was for Crystal Jun Rock shochu and featured a snippet of his haunting instrumental synth track, “Crystal Japan” and some intense eye contact from the Space Oddity. Oh David Bowie, we miss you!  (Dangerous […]

December 15, 2009

The Umami Reader, vol. 075: The DIY Pizza Equipment Edition

by Kayoko Akabori

– Catch It Keep It‘s Mike Senese shows us how to make our very own pizza paddle, er, peel. Someone please carve me one for Jesus’ bday. COME ON! There’s still time! (mikesenese.com; via @fauxbrizio). – Apropos: Senese also gives a DIY session of how to build your VERY OWN temporary wood-fired brick pizza oven. […]

November 26, 2009

The Umami Reader, vol. 074: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

by Kayoko Akabori

– My dear friend and expert cheesemonger Amy Thompson is famous!!! “Cheese is a mysterious force.” GENIUS. (Serious Eats NY) – Above video: Taking you back to ’92, when Kevin Nealon was the Weekend Update man and Adam Sandler gave us some wonderful tunes. Best SNL era ever, IMHO. (via @eatmedaily) HAPPY TDAY, EVERYONE!!! It’s […]

November 6, 2009

The Umami Reader, vol. 73: “Talk To ‘Em, You Speak Shellfish!”

by Kayoko Akabori

– Popular SF Italian resto A16 opened an outpost in Tokyo in September. The entire operation, although commendable, sounds like a nightmare. Also, the Japanese DEF like their spaghetti- you prolly shouldn’t mess with that. (SF Gate; via Melanie) – Top 100 things that restaurant staff should never do on duty. As a glorified waitress […]

October 22, 2009

The Umami Reader, vol. 72

by Kayoko Akabori

– Organic food fraud at Target: basically sums up why I loathe corporate/USDA-summoned “organic”, it’s all such a farce. Don’t even get me started on Whole Foods. Ugh. Get your lazyass to the farmer’s market! (Huffington Post; via Tmonkey) – Probably the funniest review I’ve read on the KFC Double Down sandwich. “Like grief, the […]

October 5, 2009

The Umami Reader, vol. 071: Paystyle, Tyra, Gourmet Mag RIP

by Kayoko Akabori

– UM’s resident cocktail master Paystyle shakes it up with Rachel Maddow for a Scotch-Off. Congratulations Pay!!!! Homeboy looks so dapper with a beard! (Gothamist) – (heart)BREAKING: Condé Nast gives Gourmet Mag the axe. TRAGEDY (NYT Diner’s Journal; via Amy T.) – Eater offers a whopping $25 for food blogs across America to shut their […]

September 16, 2009

The Umami Reader, vol. 070

by Kayoko Akabori

Take note:– Michelle Obama, KICKS ASS, as usual.– Sam Kass, the White House chef, is HOT. (It’s true, I have a penchant for bald men).– The fact that it’s named “Victory Garden” after WWII is kinda creepy.– Check out the comments- racist slander, mudslinging and conspiracy theories abound.– I know some of you may have […]