Miso Tasty, my favourite supplier of miso (みそ) in the UK, created by chef and food blogger extraordinaire Bonnie Chung, has just published a fantastic new cookbook! Not only is this a lovely book to have on your shelf (it feels nice and fabricy and is beautifully designed with delicious photos throughout), it’s also packed … Continue reading
After returning from my Mount Shosha adventure on 18th December I decided to explore Himeji a bit more, and went in search of some kind of reward for my morning’s efforts. I soon found what I was looking for: Jidai Cafe. Jidai Cafe is a tacky tourist trap of a cafe serving ninja themed food, … Continue reading
With Smiling Sushi Roll lunch can resemble great works of art, like Munch’s “The Scream,” and Rodin’s “The Thinker.” In this unique and humorous sushi book, illustrator and maki artist Tama-chan (Takayo Kiyota) shows how basic ingredients like rice, seaweed, pickles, and cucumber can be used like paint and ink to create maki that is … Continue reading
I had only been to Miyajima (宮島) once before, on 27th March 2006. Miyajima, the popular name of the island Itsukushima (厳島), is a small island in the Inland Sea, just off the coast of Hiroshima. I remember liking Miyajima, but I also remember dashing about like a mad thing because I had travelled from … Continue reading
It may be the end of April, and the cherry blossom has been and gone in most parts of Japan, but I’m still thinking about last autumn! On 10th December I continued my journey in Shikoku and travelled to Kotohira (琴平), where I would spend one night. Kotohira is a small town in Kagawa Prefecture … Continue reading
Yesterday I went to see another of the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme films at the Watershed, Noriben – The Recipe For Fortune (のんちゃんのり弁). (Image source) Guaranteed to whet your appetite, this heartfelt human drama traces a single mother’s journey to independence after an appetising revelation sees her decide to pursue the opening of her own bento shop. … Continue reading
I’m finally ready to start writing in more detail about my recent trip to Japan, and I warn you now it may take a while! My trip was from 18th November – 21st December, and I had a LOT of adventures in that time. It all began on 19th November when I arrived at Narita … Continue reading
For my final recipe of the year before I take a little break I wanted to do something seasonal, so I decided to make Kabocha Pudding (かぼちゃプリン). Kabocha is a kind of Japanese pumpkin, and it’s quite different to British pumpkins which are usually large and orange. Kabocha are small and dark green, and they … Continue reading
Compared with last month’s sushi cupcakes, the appearance of this month’s recipe is a bit of a let down, but it tastes good, and really that’s all that matters! This month I decided to make a Yuzu Cake. Yuzu (ユズ) is an East Asian citrus fruit, and in Japanese cuisine it is most commonly known … Continue reading
This month my office is having a Bake Off competition (inspired by the Great British Bake Off) to raise money for those affected by the floods in Burma. If you feel so inclined, you can donate to the Red Cross through our Just Giving page. I was in the first round of bakers last week, and … Continue reading
Haikugirl's Japan 