Do you ever crave the mouthwatering flavors of authentic Japanese cuisine but find yourself reluctant to leave the comfort of your home? Introducing Yoko Street, a new revolutionary food delivery service that brings genuine Japanese dishes right to your doorstep in the USA. This is a new venture created by  Oisix ra daichi’s; they are the largest online supermarket and home delivery company in Japan. They recently launched a new Japanese meal delivery company, inspired by Japan’s enchanting 横丁 (yokocho) side streets – Yoko Street! Yoko Street: Review Their mission is to celebrate hidden c ..read more

Imagine a sweltering summer day, with the scorching sun beating down relentlessly. You’re desperate for a refreshing meal that will not only help combat the heat but also provide a burst of flavor and nutrition. Look no further than Hiyashi Chuka, the Japanese dish that is here to rescue you from the summer doldrums. This cool noodle salad is not only delicious but also offers a myriad of unexpected benefits that will leave you craving it all season long. From boosting hydration to aiding digestion and even packing a nutritional punch, Hiyashi Chuka is the ultimate summer companion. Prepare to ..read more

What’s it like to visit Japan after the pandemic? My friend Sheila recently visited and is kind enough to share her experience as the country finally re-opens! Visiting Japan After the Pandemic As most of us know, Japan is finally open after being closed to outsiders since the beginning of the pandemic. I suppose we should be thankful – the last time Japan closed, it lasted 200 years! This is (mostly) good news to us Japan-lovers but – like everywhere else in the world – things have changed a bit. Cherry Blossoms I recently returned from 3 ½ weeks where I spent some ‘me’ time, some ‘visiting ..read more

Looking for delicious Japanese seafood recipes? Lucky for you, I’ve rounded up some of my favorites! From appetizers and small meals to easy family dinners, you’ll love the fresh flavors of these Japanese seafood recipes. Japanese Seafood Recipes A perfect Japanese-style appetizer – steamed clams in sake! Saute small fresh clams in the in sesame oil for a minute or two. Pour good quality sake (or dry white wine) over them, cover, and steam over high heat, shaking the pan occasionally, until the shells have opened up and the clams are cooked. You may also add a splash of soy sauce, and salt a ..read more

In the mood for some delicious Japanese noodles? Whether you’re looking to try your hand at a new yakisoba recipe, on the hunt for ramen, or simply exploring different noodle recipes, these are sure to delight! Japanese Noodle Recipes Let’s start with one of my favorites – Yakisoba! Yakisoba is very easy to make at home. Although Chinese noodles are used, the dish is entirely Japanese in origin. Not only is this a deliciously seductive Japanese stir fry, but it is very easy to make and a great way to get kids to eat a lot of vegetables painlessly! Get the Recipe >> Another favorite is m ..read more

The first few days of the new year in Japan, known as O-shogatsu, are a gourmet’s delight. In particular, the New Year’s Day banquet, or Osechi, traditionally enjoyed in every home features many special foods. It is truly my favorite holiday and one I look forward to every year. And let’s be honest, it is not just the ritual of shopping, preparing, and cooking that is fun but of course, also the eating of it with my daughter! One of the most popular dishes in the New Year period is a sweet potato puree with sweetened chestnuts called kuri kinton. Chestnuts are a celebrated product of many regi ..read more

A long and mysterious history lies behind hoto, an udon noodle-based stew from Yamanashi Prefecture, near Tokyo. It appears to be mentioned in the Pillow Book, a collection of essays of the Heian era (794-1185), but its precise origins are unknown. Many intriguing stories have grown up around it, however, all likely containing an element of truth. Some say that “hoto” comes from an old Chinese cake called hakutaku. It’s believed that the dish described in the Pillow Book was actually this dumpling-like cake, made of wheat flour, and for some time many dishes made from wheat were called hoto. O ..read more

As the cooler fall months are right around the corner, now is the perfect time to cozy up to some traditional Japanese autumn dishes. These meals are hearty, delicious, and in many cases, healthy options as we wind down summer and enter the later part of the year. If you’re entertaining guests, tucking in for a cool fall evening, or in a rush for lunch, these are my favorite autumnal Japanese meals that are sure to be a hit! Trefoil and Shimeji Mushroom Pasta If you’ve never had trefoil, it’s very similar to parsley. In fact, it’s often called Japanese parsley, for it’s clean, slightly bitter ..read more

This simple yet delicious and easy main course salad is truly a mingling of Eastern and Western cuisines, a fusion of cultures and ingredients to create something new and exciting for your palate.  The main ingredients –raw sashimi-grade fish and Japanese herbs –  are unmistakably Japanese, but the presentation is a Western – style salad. This has become a popular style of salad in Japan and is the perfect summer salad– fresh, tasty, and an energy – giving dish for the long sultry days of August. Fresh Fusion Sashimi Salad for Summer You can really play with it, substituting your fav ..read more

Japantown on Sawtelle in Los Angeles is about as close to Japan as we’ve been able to get these last two years. As someone who considers Japan to be a second home, the inability to travel to Japan has been rough. One thing that helped (a little anyway…) is knowing I’m not alone in missing Japan. I’d like to introduce my friend Sheila Stone. Sheila loves travel so much that she started her own tour company when she was 60! And today she’s sharing with us some of her favorite spots in Japantown on Sawtelle: Japantown on Sawtelle in Los Angeles After two years Japan is finally open!  But at ..read more