Making Yomogi Mochi at Home Inspired by Nakatanido’s Famous Technique Have you ever heard of Nakatanido (中谷堂)? It’s a renowned mochi shop in Nara, famous not just for its mochi but for the mesmerizing speed at which it’s pounded. http://www.nakatanidou.jp/english/ This isn’t just for show; the rapid pounding is key to creating mochi’s incredibly soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Unlike the typical green tea flavors many associate with mochi, Nakatanido uses Yomogi, also known as Japanese mugwort, which gives the mochi a unique taste and appearance. Discovering the Art of Mochi Making Rece ..read more

Nanohana：Field Mustard Welcome to the vibrant world of springtime cooking with Nanohana, a classic Japanese spring vegetable known as Field Mustard. Nanohana is a vegetable that represents spring in Japan. When I see Nanohana in grocery stores when it’s still cold, I realize that spring is coming soon. Renowned for its slightly bitter and peppery flavor, Nanohana is not only delicious but also an excellent choice for a seasonal detox. Today, I’m excited to share three easy recipes that showcase the versatility and delightful taste of this vibrant vegetable. Let’s dive into the culinary delig ..read more

Japanese Moffle: A Delicious Fusion of Mochi and Waffle The Moffle, a clever blend of “mochi” and “waffle,” is a snack that brings together mochi’s distinctive chewy texture with the crispy, convenient delight of waffles. Here’s a straightforward guide to creating your own Moffles at home: Here’s how you can create your own Moffles at home! Ingredients: Kiri Mochi (round shape) Toppings of your choice: Butter, honey, soy sauce, or any other delectable addition Other recommended toppings: Kinako & Kuromitsu (rosted soy bean flour and black sugar syrup) Anko (red bean paste) Equipment ..read more

The Japanese Water Cake, also known as Mizu Shingen Mochi, is a clear and delicate dessert that resembles a giant water droplet. It’s popular for its almost mystical appearance and its unique texture, which is similar to that of traditional mochi but softer and more jelly-like. The cake is traditionally served with roasted soybean flour (Kinako) and a syrup, often made from black sugar (Kuromitsu), to add flavor. Here’s a simple recipe to make it a Special Spring Dessert! Make Water a Special Spring Dessert with Cherry Blossoms We use Salted cherry blossoms for this cake. Salted cherry blo ..read more

Hi, Japanese Food Lovers! Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with some amazing daikon recipes that are not only super easy but also bursting with flavor! We’re talking about the Japanese way of preparing daikon here, making it so delicious and totally free from any bitterness. Winter daikon is our star ingredient today, bringing that juicy sweetness to the table. So grab your fresh local produce and let’s dive into these five hearty Japanese home-cooked dishes together! Let’s get cooking! Let’s kick off with a classic: Basic Simmered Daikon: Daikon no Nimono Today, we’re using a large ..read more

Shohei Otani, the celebrated Japanese baseball player, has publicly expressed his fondness for the delectable chocolate crepes available at Japanese Lawson convenience stores. These delightful treats consist of thin pancakes filled with whipped cream, chocolate chips, and luscious chocolate ganache. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting Japan, you’re likely familiar with the irresistible allure of Japanese convenience store cuisine. Among these culinary delights, the sweets offered at Lawson are particularly beloved by dessert enthusiasts. To recreate this beloved conbini treat in ..read more

What Hambagu means to us Japanese Hamburger steak, affectionately known as Hambagu(ハンバーグ in Japanese), holds a special place in the hearts of Japanese people as a beloved home-cooked dish. It consistently ranks among the top favorite foods, often competing closely with curry rice for the number one spot. Reflecting on childhood memories, Hamburg steak was not an everyday meal but rather a cherished treat. In my upbringing under my grandmother’s care, the sight of Hamburg steak on the table, especially for school lunches, filled me with immense joy. Hambagu was my on wish list when I was a ..read more

Today, I’m going to share with you a simple yet delicious recipe for Japanese ramen noodle soup, a beloved dish particularly popular in Nara, Japan, where I reside. What is Saika Ramen? We were founded in 1968 as a food stall in Tenri City, Nara Prefecture. Since our founding, our customers have nicknamed us “Tenri Ramen”. It was popular as the origin of the style of adding Chinese cabbage to Ramen. The signature “Saika Ramen” soup is seasoned with a secret homemade soy sauce and garlic. Stir-fry a large amount of ingredients such as Chinese cabbage, pork, chives, carrots, etc. Added spicin ..read more

The famous Japanese Sweetest Sweet Potato Today, I am going to unveil the secrets to bake Japanese Silk-Sweet sweet potatoes, renowned for their chestnut-like flavor and creamy texture when prepared with precision. To begin, select smaller sweet potatoes, as they bake more quickly and evenly. After thoroughly scrubbing the skin, wrap each potato snugly in foil. Bake for 50-60 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. But here’s where the magic truly happens – immediately after removing them from the oven, gently press each piping hot potato to flatten it. This simple yet crucial st ..read more

What are you going to make this Valentine’s Day? How about treating your loved one to a super-rich matcha flourless cake this Valentine’s Day? Simply take a bite and savor the aroma of Matcha, along with the melt-in-your-mouth texture. The milk flavor of white chocolate and the flavor of Matcha complement each other perfectly! How to properly use Matcha Let’s whip up a delightful Flourless Matcha Cake, shall we? First things first, when dealing with Matcha, we want to avoid lumps. So, combine it with sugar and heavy cream to form a smooth paste. Whisk it up and pass it through a sieve to ..read more