Last year, for my hubby’s birthday, we visited Bathers’ Restaurant in Bathers pavilion. It’s a 2 Chefs Hatted Restaurant with a fantastic view overlooking Balmoral Beach, the closest beach to our place. We’d been eyeing this spot for a while, and finally made it! A great view from the restaurant I had called ahead to ask if they could accommodate vegan options for me, and they were happy to accomodate. Meanwhile, my hubby ordered the regular tasting menu with meat and fish. Photo of the Vegetarian tasting menu I had just a nibble before the course starts. Cracker with seaweed and Karkalla w ..read more

As winter approaches, I wanted to outline the remarkable health benefits of shiitake mushrooms. Shiitake mushrooms are great at boosting your IMMUNE SYSTEM!   WHAT ARE SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS? Shiitake mushrooms have their origins in China, though the name was created in Japan. They come in fresh and dried forms, with dried shiitake having a more intense flavour. There are also various types of shiitake mushrooms distinguished by the size of their pileu (caps). As a staple superfood in Japanese cuisine, I enjoy incorporating shiitake mushrooms into my meals for their outstanding nutritional va ..read more

This sake brewery in Kobe is a must-visit for sake fans, as you can explore and taste different types of premium sake! Enjoy the view of  Japanese traditional buildings and a lovely garden, while also having the opportunity to look at the sake making processes! Visit to Fukujyu Sake Brewery We got to visit the Fukujyu Sake Brewery, located in Kobe, Japan. It was a bit nostalgic for me because my university was in Nada. Kobe is close from my parents’ place but it was the first time for my hubby to visit, even though he came to Japan with me more than 10 times.   Sake is a type o ..read more

Yomogi is an aromatic Japanese herb full of antioxidants and health benefits. Also known as mugwort, it has been used traditionally in Japanese dishes and medicine. What is Yomogi? Fresh yomogi leaves  Yomogi is very popular in Japan to use Yomogi in wagashi, mochi or dango. It has a delightful flavour that blends well with the sweetness of desserts, especially when coupled with azuki an (red bean filling). Left: Yomogi Mochi, Right: Yomogi Kashiwa Mochi To use in baths, simply put it in a mesh bag and let it sit in your bathwater, as shown in the image below. Yomogi baths are known for ..read more

Vegan Natto Spread Recipe Have you tried natto before? Natto is fermented soybeans that is very nutritious – rich in protein, vitamins and probiotics (good bacteria), and it’s a very popular breakfast choice in Japan. It’s also used for sushi, pasta… the list goes on. However, it’s an acquired taste– with its weird slimy appearance and smell. Most people new to natto put off on eating it because of this. Despite its looks and smell, natto has tons of health benefits! Natto helps with gut health, boosting immune system, anti-ageing and healthy heart and strengthens your bones.&n ..read more

  Instant miso soup for a busy day You bought miso paste, but didn’t have a chance to make miso soup at home? Are you looking for healthy snack idea at the office? This recipe requires absolutely no fuss, mess or chopping. You can even make your own healthy yet instant kit to take to the office. All you need to do is add water!  I highly recommend to make in bulks, and store in the fridge or freezer!    Recipe Serves 1 person.  Ingredients  300ml (10.5fl oz) hot water ½ tbsp miso ¼ tsp MSG free dashi powder Pinch of dried cut&n ..read more

Did you know there are countless Japanese proverbs on miso, which are a testament to its importance towards a healthy diet and its effects towards Japanese health and longevity? During the Edo period (1603-1868), families started to prepare their miso called temae miso, and from then onwards, proverbs and idioms related to miso started to emerge. Today I want to introduce a Japanese proverb relating to miso that shows its health benefits and its amazing properties, as well as a method to choose quality and authentic miso. Japanese Proverb about Miso “Spend money on miso shops rather ..read more

Are you eating the right nori? Japan is a seaweed-loving country. Did you know that one of the reasons why the Japanese diet is healthy is because we eat seaweed regularly? Seaweeds are high in minerals, low in calories, and are quite alkalising. Some seaweeds even contain very unique dietary fibres – both insoluble and soluble – that help cleanse our gut fabulously! Stay tuned, as I’m about to share the incredible benefits of Nori and some tips to avoid falling into the trap of consuming the wrong kind! One of the reasons for the longevity of the Japanese population is their regular seaweed ..read more

As mentioned in my previous blogs, matcha has several health and beauty benefits such as weight loss, detoxification, anti-ageing, alkalinity and more! But did you know matcha also helps strengthen your bones?  Incorporate matcha into your daily diet to ensure optimal bone health!  As we age, our bodies change through the breakdown and rebuilding of bone tissue. Especially during menopause, our bone density decreases so maintaining strong bones becomes increasingly difficult, and thus are at higher risk of developing conditions like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. While exercise is ..read more

  Tofu Ball with Clear Soup Great way to eat seaweed and veggies. You can actually eat tofu balls by frying as well.  It is vegan and gluten free – recipe for everybody!      Recipes Ingredient   Tofu balls – makes 12 balls   320g (11oz) firm tofu   4 tbsp (60g/2oz) potato starch   2 tbsp any seaweed (ex: wakame, arame, hijiki), reconstituted and chopped    2 tsp chopped ginger   1 tsp sea salt   ½ cup any vegetab ..read more