Upcoming Event

November 27, 2013

Upcoming Event: Latkes + Lager: 2nd Annual Umami Mart Hannukah Party (SF)

by Kayoko Akabori

Last year we hosted a Hannukah party with Erin of The Forest Feast, and her husband Rabbi Jon, in our first year of business in Oakland. It was a peaceful evening, and the first time I ever lit a menorah! The event was meaningful to us and we decided to make it an annual event. […]

October 9, 2013

Upcoming Event: Koji Workshop with Sonoko Sakai

by Kayoko Akabori

Koji is a rice mold that has been used in Japan to ferment sake and shoyu for hundreds of years. Recently, shio-koji (salt koji) has been discovered as a miracle cooking ingredient that pumps up the umami factor to any ol’ dish. We’ve talked a lot about shio-koji on Umami Mart in the last year – it’s all […]

September 10, 2013

Upcoming Event: Umami in Spice with Oaktown Spice Shop

by Kayoko Akabori

UPDATE: A SECOND CLASS HAS BEEN ADDED!  Wednesday 9/25 at 7:30pm. This will be the same class as the one on Monday. Get your tix here! We are extremely excited to co-host an event with Oaktown Spice Shop. All about U M A M I ! Ever wonder what exactly umami is, or what it […]

August 13, 2013

Upcoming Event: Matsuri Festival (It’s Our Birthday!)

by Kayoko Akabori

August is our birthday month! It’s been one year since we opened our doors at 815 Broadway in Oakland, and indeed it’s been an enriching, exhilarating year. Thank you everyone for supporting our vision as America’s premier Japanese bar and kitchenware shop! We could not have come this far without all of you. On Saturday 8/24, we’ll […]

July 31, 2013

Upcoming Event: One Year Anniversary Sake Tasting

by Kayoko Akabori

Guess what?? Umami Mart Oakland will celebrate its ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY in August!!! Both Yoko and I are so grateful for all the support we’ve received this past year from our community, the Bay Area, and beyond. It’s one thing to start a business, but another to actually be able to sustain it. THANK YOU […]

July 9, 2013

Upcoming Event: Shochu Tasting @ 18 Reasons (SF)

by Kayoko Akabori

Shochu tends to be the drink of choice around here on Umami Mart, but we know that it’s still pretty unfamiliar terrain. Yoko and I firmly believe that there is a place for shochu in the States, but it may take a while to get there. But we’re here to help educate and slowly open […]

June 27, 2013

Upcoming Event: Sake Tasting @ Bar & Garden (LA)

by Kayoko Akabori

We’re going to LA! That’s right, we’ll be spending a few days in sunny Los Angeles, driving down Sunset Boulevard with the top down searching for the Walsh residence in Beverly Hills. Then, poolside sunbathing in our bikinis, sipping on Mai-Tais with little umbrellas. Cause that’s what you do in LA, right? Woohoo! Aside from all […]

June 17, 2013

Upcoming Event: U-MART Opens 6/25 (Party of the Year!)

by Kayoko Akabori

Conbini is a shortened word for “convenience” which is referred to when talking about convenience stores in Japan. Littered around on any street corner in most cities, conbinis are like a typical corner store, or bodega — but from the future. They are well-lit, sparkling clean havens stocked with freshly prepared foods to-go, nail clippers, […]

May 30, 2013

Upcoming Event: Umeshu Class with Peko Peko

by Kayoko Akabori

Ume (Japanese plum) season is upon us! Through the years, we’ve brought you many posts about making umeshu (plum cordial) at home. We’ve had several umeshu features and recipes on the blog, from Yoko’s kitchen in Tokyo, MOTO’s kitchen in NYC, and from Sylvan’s Peko Peko HQ in Oakland. There have been loads of of […]

April 29, 2013

Upcoming Event: First Friday with Ippo Ramen

by Kayoko Akabori

Come out for the 2nd edition of the Ippo Ramen pop-up here at Umami Mart. Last month, the ramen sold out in record time — 56 bowls in 56 minutes. You know what that means… get here EARLY if you want a bowl. Seriously. Steve will be serving his signature ramen with shoyu, miso and […]