Party


March 7, 2017

Event Recap: Japanify All Day at Umami Mart

by Yoko Kumano

One of the best things to come out of 2016 was Japanify All Day, a zine that includes 21 simple Japanese recipes that I wrote, and that Kayoko and Sarah edited. I am so proud of this little zine that was produced entirely in-house and printed just down the road at Solstice Press in West […]

November 2, 2015

Upcoming Event: Runoff Book Release Party with Tom Manning

by Kayoko Akabori

Here’s an event that you don’t see very often at Umami Mart — a comic book party! We are so excited to celebrate the release of Runoff by Oakland-based artist and our good friend Tom Manning. Published by Japanese comic book house One Peace Books, Runoff is an intricate, dizzying work by Tom which made its debut in 1999. After years […]

July 27, 2015

Upcoming Event: 3rd Annual Umami Mart MATSURI

by Kayoko Akabori

Wow guys, THREE YEARS!!! Can you believe we have been open in Old Oakland for three whole years???!?!?! From bare walls to Skankynavian chic, Yoko and I are so proud and happy to have been able to share our passion for food and drink culture with all of you. Thanks so much for all your support! […]

May 11, 2015

MOTOism: Natto Brie Dip

by Moto Yamamoto

I’ve made quite a few dishes using natto (fermented soy beans) in the past years — from Natto Moffin to sweet Natto Sandwich. If you like natto, it’s good with everything (almost), but if you hate natto, you wouldn’t understand any of my creations. That’s ok, I proudly HATE cilantro myself and I refuse to eat any […]

April 6, 2015

UMAMI MART BOTTLE SYSTEM OPENING PARTY

by Kayoko Akabori

We can not tell you how fun it has been at Umami Mart since we’ve started selling beers and sake. We are America’s first Japanese beer shop! And you ain’t seen nothin’ yet, ya’ll. Getting our license to sell alcohol was our biggest hurdle, and now that it’s here we plan to do this right. We’re […]

November 24, 2014

Event Recap: 2nd Annual UMAMI MART MATSURI

by Chris Cabrera

Another summer, come and gone. Erm, another fall, come and gone. It’s starting to get chilly here in the Bay Area so I thought I would bring back some summertime warmth and celebration and blog about our 2nd annual Umami Mart Matsuri. Or as I like to (humbly) call it, Oakland’s Party of the Year. […]

July 28, 2014

Upcoming Event: 2nd Annual Umami Mart Matsuri

by Kayoko Akabori

Guess what? It’s our birthday! We’re turning TWO years old (can you believe?!?!?!) and as we promised, we are making our Matsuri festival an annual tradition and throwing yet another big bash to celebrate our summertime birthday (holla to the Leos). If you came to last year’s Matsuri, you know how insane it is — […]

June 12, 2014

Upcoming Event: The Forest Feast Cookbook Party

by Kayoko Akabori

We are so excited to finally announce a proper soiree for Erin Gleeson’s new cookbook, The Forest Feast! The book was published in April and has been selling like hotcakes at our shops. It was far and wide the best seller for Mother’s Day, as you can imagine, and it has been applauded by HuffPo, […]

December 30, 2013

TONIGHT: New Year Party in Oakland

by Kayoko Akabori

2013 whizzed past us didn’t it?!?! As I look back on the year, I recall a rager, a long day of blood/sweat/tears, a triumphant expansion, then, another expansion. Cause hey, why the hell not? It’s all a bit of a blur, albeit a vivid one. Please join Yoko and me TONIGHT as we toast to […]

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. […]