Shirataki (しらたき) is a super thin, white noodle that is made from konjac plant / root. It is eaten all across Japan. It is popular to use in hot pot and stew ty… Read More
Deba (出刃) is a traditional Japanese knife whose primary purpose is to cut and fillet whole fish. Some chefs also use a deba for breaking down chicken or poultry. A deba is one… Read More
This is my go to recipe for making cabbage tsukemono (i.e. Japanese style pickled cabbage). All you need is salt, vinegar, and sugar. Also, cabbage of course. It’s super easy, and supe… Read More
Tosazu (土佐酢) is a vinegar dressing/seasoning made by adding bonito dashi (i.e soup stock) to sanbaizu (a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, mirin). The name is simply a comb… Read More
Sanbaizu (三杯酢) is a popular vinegar-based seasoning made with vinegar, soy sauce, and mirin. Sometimes, sugar is used instead of mirin. Sanbaizu is most commonly used fo… Read More
Shirako (白子) is milt, more commonly known as fish sperm. The Japanese characters literally translate to “white child”. Quite the figurative name. 😂 So, why… Read More
Unaju — or unajyu — is a delicious Japanese dish consisting of grilled freshwater eel served on rice in a special food box called a “jubako” (重箱). It is… Read More
What is zensai? Zensai (前菜) is simply the Japanese word for starters or appetizers (i.e. the small dishes you eat at before a meal). It is similar to “antipasto” in… Read More
In this post, I take a look at the top fast food chains in Japan. We’ll learn: Let’s get started! What is fast food in Japan? First, what exactly is considered “fast food&r&hell…Read More
What is Takowasa? Takowasa (タコわさ) is a very popular Japanese side dish made with two main ingredients: tako and wasabi (i.e. raw octopus and Japanese horseradish)… Read More
Here is my list of the best Japanese recipe blogs and websites.
These are the sites I go to when I need an authentic Japanese recipe. I’ll look for the easiest one to start, then t… Read More
Here are some of the best Japanese cooking YouTube channels that I watch.
When I want to figure out how to cook something specific, I usually go back and forth between a few different si… Read More
What are the best Japanese knife brands?
Good question. It probably depends on what you’re looking for — Price? Steel? Durability? Reputation? Beauty? Something else?
There… Read More
Here is an ultimate list of where to buy Japanese knives online.
The list currently includes 27 stores, and I will continue to add to it in the future.
Where to buy Japanese Knives (On… Read More
What’s the difference between usuba and nakiri?
Both are Japanese vegetable knives. From afar, they seem pretty much identical.
So, what are the differences? What are the similar… Read More
TL;DRIf you’re in a rush, here are my picks of the best santoku knives under $100:
Best value: Fujiwara FKM or MAC Superior Santoku
Best quality: Tojiro DP Santoku
Best price… Read More
In today’s post, I take a look at the super popular Japanese probiotic drink: Yakult 1000 (and Y1000).
Many people know Yakult as that delicious, refreshing yogurt drink that comes in… Read More
Can you tell the difference?
Today, we’re going to compare the two main types of Japanese tofu: kinugoshi vs momen tofu.
Isn’t tofu just tofu? What’s the difference?… Read More
In this week’s random Japanese food article, I take a look at different dango types in Japan.
Did you know that there are over 20 different types and flavours of dango??
Here’s… Read More
What’s the best nakiri knife?
In this detailed buying guide, I take a look at some of the top nakiri knives on the market today. I also cover some useful facts that will help you in… Read More
In this week’s random Japanese food article, I take a look at dango vs mochi.
Last week, while researching Nagano’s famous foods, I came across a unique food called gohei mochi… Read More
In this article, I take a look at some of the best yanagiba knives on the market today.
I’ll cover:
What a yanagiba is
Factors to consider before buying
Knife recommend… Read More
Yanagiba vs. Sujihiki. What’s the difference?
Both knife types have long, thin blades, and seem similar on the surface. There is more than just appearance though.
In this article, I l… Read More
In this guide, I take a look at the famous foods of Nagano prefecture.
Nagano has a huge agricultural industry, and some of the best produce in all of Japan. The prefecture is not connected… Read More
In this article, I take a look at the best cutting boards for Japanese knives.
The purpose of a cutting board is not just to protect your counter-top, but also to protect your kni… Read More
Shinshu soba (信州そば) is a generic term for soba noodles made in the Nagano prefecture of Japan.
The word Shinshu (or Shinshū / Shinshuu) is just another… Read More
Dull knife? Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide for sharpening Japanese knives.
This guide is for sharpening typical Western-style knives (i.e. double bevel blades) l… Read More
Noodles! There is a Japanese noodle type for every occasion — a hot bowl of ramen on a cold day; a refreshing slurp of chilled soba in the summer; or some satisfying tempur… Read More
Udon vs soba vs ramen — what’s the difference?
In this article, I take a deep dive into the big three Japanese noodle types.
We will take a detailed look at each of the noodles:… Read More
Steel type is one of the main factors people consider when buying a knife.
Unfortunately for us beginners, all of the Japanese knife steel options can be incredibly confusing.
Should I ge… Read More
Ah, onigiri ( おにぎり ) – the beloved Japanese rice ball.
If you’ve ever watched any Japanese show or anime (e.g. Pokemon), you have probably seen… Read More
So, you want a new gyuto (i.e. Japanese chef’s knife), but you don’t want to spend much money?
… Or, maybe you just don’t have much money??
Welcome to my world… Read More
Problem — you have a bunch of leftover rice from dinner a couple nights ago. What are you going to do?
Solution — make yakimeshi!
Yakimeshi is simply the Japanese te… Read More
Teriyaki chicken (or chicken teriyaki?) is the gateway drug to Japanese food for many Westerners. While sushi, sashimi, takoyaki and other classic Japanese foods may seem a bit “… Read More
Here are some of the best Japanese recipe blogs and YouTube cooking channels that I often use.
When I want to figure out how to cook something specific, I usually go back and forth betwe… Read More
A little sweet. A little salty. Full of umami. And, f*cking delicious! That’s the best way to describe teriyaki sauce.
If someone says they don’t like Japanese food, make… Read More
Rice! It is the most important ingredient in Japanese cuisine.
A rice cooker, or sui-hanki (炊飯器), is thus one of the most essential Japanese cooking tools. I… Read More
Ah, miso soup.
Often disregarded as that free bowl of soup you get at Japanese restaurants, miso soup (味噌汁)is actually a classic, traditional Japanese di… Read More
Rice. Beautiful, simple, and delicious.
Rice is the most common, and probably the most important ingredient in Japanese cuisine. Traditionally, it can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, A… Read More
In this article, we will take a look at some of the common vegetable cutting techniques used in Japanese cooking.
You may be familiar with some various terms like dice, slice, chop… Read More
This guide will help you choose the best Japanese whetstone for sharpening your kitchen knife.
Maintaining a sharp knife is an important part of becoming a better chef. It will make… Read More