KyotoStore is now open!
Junk Food in Japan: Otokomae Tofu Cream Pan Sweet Bread
I have been captivated by a duo of new junk food products in Japan! Here is the first of the duo. This is convenience store junk food sweet bread flavored with tofu. The tofu is made by a an upstart tofu company in rural Kyoto called Otokomae Tofuten that burst ... read more
Tokyo-style Nigiri Sushi Breakfast at Sushi Dai in Tsukiji Market
The Kyoto Wholesale Food Market is great, not to mention still humane and friendly, but Tsukiji Market in Tokyo has no peer for variety, sheer scale and of course terseness. If you are hungry and into sushi, what sets these two apart is that Tsukiji has a some of the ... read more
Wagashi: Imo Mochi (Sweet Potato Mochi)
I was invited by a farmer friend in rural Kyoto to the Kyoto Prefecture Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Festival 2009 and got to see and taste a lot of foodie delights from all over Kyoto Prefecture. Kyoto prefecture isn't just the ancient capital, it goes all the way across Honshu ... read more
Wagashi: Miso Flavored Chigiri Mochi in Wasanbon Sugar
Kyoto Top-ten Foodie Omiyage Souvenir: Miso Chigiri Mochi
This is miso flavored gyuhi mochi from Honda Miso and it is a masterpiece! In addition to the novel and exceptional taste, this is a foodie souvenir that you ought to be able to take back home with you when you visit Kyoto. ... read more
Bread and Spice: Hararyokaku Seven Spice Rusk Biscuit
Called 'korabo' in contemporary Japanese -- collaboration and co-branding, is getting some traction among the often stodgy old merchants of Kyoto too. Though perhaps a purist at heart, I am quite a fan of some of these collaborations. I was quite amazed to see my absolute favorite shichimi seven spice ... read more
Kyoto Cuisine
Kyoto Restaurant ‘Hatakaku’ – Botan Nabe (Wild Boar Hotpot)
Botan Nabe, or wild boar nabe ‘hotpot’, is a dish commonly found in cold, rural, mountaino...
Mamezen Soba: Kyoto-style Dashi Soymilk Ramen
Mamezen is another Kyoto culinary treasure and if you are into noodles and, or soymilk dis...
Recipe
Japanese New Year’s Breakfast Uni Ikura Donburi and Champagne
A happy 2011 to all you foodies out there! 2010 was probably the best year of my life, ...
Hearty Mid-winter Salt Pork Mochi Rice Okowa Recipe
Did you know that mochi rice isn't just for sweets? When you think mochi in Japanese cuisi...
How To
How to Make Hoshigaki (Japanese Dried Persimmons)
Persimmons are delicious, but dried persimmons are divine. Totally divine!! Let me qualify...
My Original Hiiragi Iwashi Design (Whole Sardine and Holly Leaves)
Last year on February 3rd, the day before spring, I put a grilled sardine head on a holly ...
Kyoto Restaurant + Cafe
Kyoto Restaurant ‘Hatakaku’ – Botan Nabe (Wild Boar Hotpot)
Botan Nabe, or wild boar nabe ‘hotpot’, is a dish commonly found in cold, rural, mountaino...
Kyoto Ice Cream: Gion Kinana – Kinako Ice Cream
Gion Kinana’s fresh-made kinako ice cream, more cream than ice, is the best Japanese ice c...
Chef
Coppa Broth Ramen – Guest Cheffing at Mamezen
Wunderkid Chef Dylan Brawn and I guest cheffed at Mamezen last night (Oct 30, 2010). Mamez...
Otokomae Tofu: Interview with Founder and CEO Shingo ‘Johnny’ Ito
In the last 30 years, two-thirds of the tofu producers in Japan have gone out of business....
Ingredients and Condiments
Japanese Condiment: Furikake
Furikake is a condiment for sprinkling on rice in Japan. Conventional furikake is of medio...
What is Ryorishu? Japanese Cooking Sake
Itadakimono: Recently I visited my favorite sake brewery, Uehara Sake Brewery in rural Shi...
Cooking Utensils
Kana-ami: Traditional Japanese Handmade Metal Cooking Utensils and Kitchenware
Kana-ami: Traditional Japanese Handmade Metal Cooking Utensils and Kitchenware (京の金網細工 辻和金...
Product
Kyoto Otokomae Tofu: Popular Products Review
Say hello to my favorite tofu brand: Otokomae Tofu. Otokomae Tofu is a Kyoto company, new ...
Wagashi: Miso Flavored Chigiri Mochi in Wasanbon Sugar
Kyoto Top-ten Foodie Omiyage Souvenir: Miso Chigiri Mochi This is miso flavored gyuhi m...
