Wagashi: Kyoto Toraya’s Year of the Ox Namagashi

Wagashi: Kyoto Toraya’s Year of the Ox Namagashi 京都とらや のどかな朝 Wagashi: Kyoto Toraya's Year of the Ox Namagashi 京都とらや のどかな朝
There is a blend of sophistication, beauty, simplicity and cuteness in namagashi, especially Kyoto namagashi, that is just unlike anything else in the foodie universe. In food and non-food related design, the traditional Japanese sense is something from another, bygone world, but still seems so essential even in…
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Shogatsu: Mochibana Japanese New Year Decoration

Mochibana Japanese New Year Shogatsu Decoration 餅花 Mochibana Japanese New Year Shogatsu Decoration 餅花
Mochibana is a Japanese New Year’s decoration that uses white and pink colored mochi wrapped around willow branches to simulate blossoms. Shogatsu signals the coming of spring in Japan, and spring is plum, peach and cherry blossoms. Why do people use mochi rather than real flowers?…
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Chazuke with Leftover Yakizakana

Chazuke with Leftover Yakizakana Chazuke with Leftover Yakizakana
Sprinkle some chopped leftover grilled fish on rice, pour on some hot tea and you’ve got chazuke, a quick meal that has been eaten in Japan for more than 1,000 years.…
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Yakizakana: Komochi Maruboshi Nishin (Grilled Dried Herring)

Yakizakana: Komochi Maruboshi Nishin (Grilled Dried Herring with Eggs) 焼き魚: 子持ち丸干しにしん Yakizakana: Komochi Maruboshi Nishin (Grilled Dried Herring with Eggs) 焼き魚: 子持ち丸干しにしん
In Japan there are literally more ways to prepare fish than one can easily imagine. Yakizakana, grilled fish, is one of my all time favorites. Sakana-no-hoshimono, dried fish, is extremely tasty and quick and easy to make. I discovered this one the other day, it is a…
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Shiokara Report: Enjoying Homemade Squid Shiokara

Shiokara Report: Enjoying Homemade Chinmi Squid Shiokara いかの塩辛 Shiokara Report: Enjoying Homemade Chinmi Squid Shiokara いかの塩辛
Shiokara is a favorite of Miwa and she made some recently and it is ready for eating. Shiokawa is made of salted squid semi-fermented in its own guts and is a kind of chinmi, literally ‘rare taste’. Japanese like shiokara on rice or with sake.…
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