If you like to cook and are curious about Japan’s spices and flavors, here’s a guide to a few basic ingredients that can give your dishes a distinct Japanese flair. All the products mentioned here can be bought at Uwajimaya supermarkets. Also, the Uwajimaya website has helpful definitions of Japanese ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes here: https://www.uwajimaya.com/uwajipedia Dashi This is the very essence of Japanese...
On any given evening, a mix of young, old, first-timers, and regulars head to Miyabi Sushi just south of the mall in Southcenter to grab a seat at the sushi counter or a table in the dining room and enjoy dinner with co-owners Executive Chef Masa Ishikura, Hisako Ishikura, and former Major League pitcher Masao Kida. Miyabi buzzes with activity, so be sure to...
Ready to try anko confectioneries? Your local Uwajimaya grocery store carries many options to choose from. Here are our recommendations. Daifuku This is perfect for those who are curious about daifuku after reading about it in Origami! Daifuku comes in several kinds such as simple shiro (white), sesame, mame (bean), etc. We suggest you try the shiro daifuku first to see if you like...
If you can’t make it to Japan but are jonesing for some Japanese sweets, don’t fret. Seattle has more and more options to choose from these days. We’ve got traditional Japanese confectioneries made with a delicate aroma and taste of green tea, sweets with anko, cake made out of numerous layered handmade crêpes, and newly released matcha chocolate bars. Here are the places ready...
Ever wonder what your beloved pet’s name would look like in Chinese characters, or kanji? We pick one pet photo and render the pet’s name in kanji. Barjols Betty in Seattle Betty is a 2-year-old Brindle French Bulldog. She’s never late for a meal; adores people, even strangers; and loves car rides in her basket. Her best animal friend is a horse named Leilani....
No matter where you go these days in greater Seattle, you’re never far from a poké restaurant. Every neighborhood seems to have its own favorite. Some poké bowls are simple, delicious Hawaiian-style fare, and others combine all sorts of toppings, from edamame to fried onions, into a colorful melange of a meal. All are perfect for a hot summer day. Here’s our quick guide...
It wasn’t long ago – five years, maybe? – that the word on the streets of Seattle was that to find really good ramen, you needed to head north on I-5 and keep going until you reached Vancouver. Those days are long gone, thank goodness. Seattle is a veritable treasure trove of ramen choices these days. You can find Kyoto ramen, Hokkaido ramen, Kyushu...
Ever wonder what your child’s name would look like in Chinese characters, or kanji? We pick one baby photo and render the baby’s name in kanji. Valentina in Snohomish Here is her name in kanji: 葉蓮帝奈 The meaning behind the brushstrokes: 葉 This kanji means “leaf.” It’s the source of energy. It provides continual power for self-sustaining growth. 蓮 This is the kanji for...
Our sister magazine, Origami has started holding a series of Meetups to introduce Japanese culture and cuisine to local Seattle people. We typically gather at an izakaya. The idea is to enjoy delicious food and drink while having a pleasant chat about Japan. One Meetup focused on dashi, an important soup and cooking stock in Japanese cuisine. A chef showed the group how to...
Izakaya come in all shapes and sizes. They can be upscale or downright rowdy. Ten or 15 years ago, there were very few in Seattle. Today, just about every neighborhood with a little nightlife has one or two. They’re not bars — most of them welcome families — but they have extensive drink menus. And they’re not sit-down restaurants where you order an appetizer,...
