Donabe Takenoko Gohan (Bamboo Shoot Rice Cooked in Donabe)

A rice cooker is convenient and surefire for making good rice every time. A donabe, or gohan-nabe is an earthenware pot for cooking rice. Getting the amount of heat and time right can be tricky, but once mastered, it produces tastier rice and rice dishes. In a donabe, I cooked my fresh, Kyoto takenoko (bamboo shoot) with rice…
Read More »

How to Cook Fresh Bamboo Shoots (Takenoko Akunuki)

In addition to sakura, springtime is the season for fresh bamboo shoots, or takenoko, in Kyoto. Asahori, or ‘dug up early this morning’ is common to see on signs and labels in the stores. Even though takenoko is very fresh, it still must be precooked to remove the harsh astringency from the young and tender shoot. How…
Read More »

Sea Bream Japanese Feast: Tai Sashimi, Tai Meshi, Tai Nitsuke

Sea Bream Japanese Feast: Tai Sashimi, Tai Meshi, Tai Nitsuke 鯛 Sea Bream Japanese Feast: Tai Sashimi, Tai Meshi,  Tai Nitsuke 鯛
Sea bream, or ‘tai’ in Japanese is one of the best loved fish and an important symbol in Japanese culture. It is in season in the spring and is called the ‘King of Fish’ in Japan. A whole tai is quite expensive and is enough for an entire meal.…
Read More »

Kyoto Ice Cream: Soba Boro Cookie Ice Cream

Chibeta: Soba Boro (Cookie) Ice Cream そばぼうろアイスクリーム Soba Boro (Cookie) Ice Cream そばぼうろアイスクリーム
Japan’s Answer to ‘Cookies and Cream’ Ice Cream: Soba boro is a crunchy cookie made of soba flour, sugar and egg, a little bit like a Japanese version of biscotti. Chibeta makes a delicious ice cream flavored with soba boro.…
Read More »

Kyoto Ice Cream: Sakura Mochi Ice Cream

Chibeta: Sakura Mochi Ice Cream 桜餅アイスクリーム Sakura Mochi Ice Cream 桜餅アイスクリーム
Kyoto Handmade Ice Cream Shop Chibeta: While Japanese love ice cream and Häagen-Dazs is big here, handmade ice cream shops, the likes or which there are several in my hometown, are a rarity. Chibeta, located in Nishijin, the old weaving district of Kyoto, makes great ice cream in very novel flavors. Inspiration for flavors…
Read More »