Ready to become a ninja? Ok, first we need to dispel a few myths. Becoming a ninja doesn’t mean you will fly through the air, disappear from view at will, or defeat your foes with shurikens. These images of the ninja come from movies and comic books. Let’s learn about what life was really like for a ninja. During the late 14th century, temples...
How you can experience true Edomae sushi in Japan The unpretentious Umenoki sits in a hard-to-find alley in Tokyo’s Akasaka neighborhood. The exterior is black, and only a colorful noren curtain that changes with the seasons indicates there’s something going on inside. It’s easy to pass right by this sushi shop. But if you do pass it by, you’ll be missing out. Duck inside...
The comeback of standing sushi bars in Japan When you’re looking for a reasonable, casual alternative to the high-end sushi bars, kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi restaurants spring to mind. In Japan, another option has been catching on lately: tachigui, or stand-and-eat, sushi restaurants. No seats, no frills, no omakase courses, no scary bills to worry about. You can order six pieces of maguro and...
Shellfish is an indispensable part of sushi. About 20 types of clams and abalone are used in the cuisine to add different texture and flavor. Here are some of the most delicious choices. Hokkigai (Surf clam) Hokkigai has a unique look: white flesh with a red pointy end. It is thick and chewy. A strong sweetness and umami fill your mouth with every bite....
“MAGURO” (Tuna) has always been the most popular sushi item all over the world, but recently “Salmon” is gaining its popularity almost to strip Maguro’s No. 1 status. Salmon is widely known in the world. It is the fish those sushi beginners can feel comfortable to try. Salmon goes well with western seasoning such as mayo, olive oil and cheese. It must be one...
Fran’s chocolates Check out Fran’s Japanese collection of urushi lacquer boxes and bowls filled with the chocolatier’s legendary salted caramels. Green tea lovers should try Fran’s matcha bar, released last summer. It’s made with organic matcha and white chocolate. The bar has a strong matcha flavor. Another fun option is to take the Fran’s “guided tasting experience” tour at the flagship store in Seattle....
Picture this: It’s the morning of February 14 at M High School, a private school in the Tokyo suburbs. The school is in total chaos. About half of the 300 students are female. They arrived earlier than usual on this day to line up by the school’s grand staircase. They form lines on both sides of the stairs extending to the third floor. As...
Having friends over to watch the Super Bowl or expecting a cozy Valentine’s date at home? Why not impress your friends by making sushi at home? Too difficult, you say? Not true. Kits available at Uwajimaya supermarket make it quite easy to whip up both rolls and nigiri sushi in the comfort of your kitchen. For starters, try the Hand-Rolled Sushi kit. Add...
SUSHI KAPPO TAMURA WINS OPEN TABLE HONORS Sushi Kappo Tamura in Eastlake was the only restaurant in Washington state to make the Open Table list of the top 100 restaurants in the US in 2018. Open Table, an online reservation system, uses feedback from diners to compile the list. The restaurant has an exceptional rating on Open Table with 97% of the 993 reviews...
Chef Taichi Kitamura’s popular Sushi Kappo Tamura restaurant in Eastlake was the only restaurant in Washington state to make Open Table’s 100 Best Restaurants in America list for 2018. The list is compiled based on enthusiastic feedback from diners who use the Open Table reservation system, not reviews by professional food critics. The award is in part a tribute to Kitamura’s affable style. “It’s...
