Umami Mart

I am planning to host a thanksgiving dinner (as usual). Every year for the past 8 years or so, I have hosted it. I made my turkey in every way you can think of. Herbed, brined, buttered, you name it, I’ve done it. (Though I haven’t tried frying..) I usually make everything, but this year, […]

Sometimes I crave for certain food I had growing up, and pucchin purin is definitely one of them. In this day and age, almost all the good stuff from Japan are available in New York, but for some reason certain items such as pucchin purin isn’t one of them. Many people say they like dense […]

As a part of my MFA Thesis, I collaborated with pastry Chef Will Goldfarb and the staff of his SoHo dessert bar, Room 4 Dessert, to create a cookbook/photobook full of his recipes and my photographs. Please preview the book and buy copies online through this link. It features 50 pages of color photographs and […]

Wikipedia entry of Castella – During the 16th century, a Portuguese ship came into Nagasaki, which used to be the port of Japanese commerce. The Portuguese brought the Japanese many then-unusual things such as guns, tobacco, and pumpkins. Castella was also one of the things they brought. Castella was able to be preserved for a […]

One of my friends became an American recently. I haven’t even gotten my green card yet, but becoming a proud American is a big question. When I become old, and need to collect $2 from my social security, maybe I will. Anyway, he hosted a party at Virgil’s in Times Square. An “I became an […]

Mille – Thousand Crepe – you know what it is Mille Crepe – thousand layered crepes Another version of Yamahomo’s “it takes forever” dish. Apparently French people don’t know about this dessert, but it is one of a kind. I first saw this at Takashimaya in New York. There is a pastry shop called Lady […]

Over the weekend, I saw the cheesy but lovable flick ” Waitress“. It has inspired me to make pies and give them as gifts everywhere I go. My first attempt at this was an open-faced blueberry pie from epicurious.com. Delicious, and so easy. I decorated it with a dried orange slice and berries. So much […]

Noteworthy readings, websites, blogs and eats: BBQ Time! The Minimalist on using the best meats for grilling yummy burgers Tap is in: restaurants ban bottled water Cooking with saffron Gawker says: Rosé is the beverage of choice for hipsters and old folks for the summer (make sure to also read the WSJ article, and watch […]

For the last several months, I have been working with Will Goldfarb (who worked with Ferran Adria at the much celebrated El Bulli restaurant in Spain) and his wonderful staff to produce a short cookbook, featuring about 12 of Will’s wildly innovative dishes from his dessert restaurant, Room 4 Dessert. Below are 3 of my […]

Anybody been to Kyotofu? Same people who did Chikalicious. “Like its precursors, ChikaLicious and Room4Dessert, Kyotofu endeavors to turn the meal’s last course into a dedicated evening outing, accessorized with fruity cocktails and wrapped up in a sleekly designed, date-friendly package. And with its focus on the flavors of Japan and the gracefully subtle incorporation […]