I was wondering around in the kitchenware area of Tokyo when I chanced upon this amazing cafe. The atmosphere was great – very chill, very industrial and very relaxing compared to the busy road outside. The aroma of the coffee…
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I was wondering around in the kitchenware area of Tokyo when I chanced upon this amazing cafe. The atmosphere was great – very chill, very industrial and very relaxing compared to the busy road outside. The aroma of the coffee…
There is an old saying in Japanese: “Never say ‘kekko’ (enough), til you’ve seen Nikko” (日光を見ずして結構と言うなかれ). This attests to the place Nikko has in the Japanese psyche, that it is the ultimate sacred place of mystical beauty, and of deep…
Udon noodles are white noodles made from plain flour (not rice flour) and salted water. A Japanese staple for more than a thousand years, udon was introduced to Japanese cuisine in the Nara period (奈良時代), AD 710-794. There are many…
After exploring Japan’s most beautiful village, Shirakawa-go 白川郷, we decided to check out its most remote village, Ainokura 相倉. Just like Shirakawa-go, together with Suganuma and Ogimachi, Ainokura was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995 for its…
Before 2017, I had never heard of Shirakawa-go 白川郷. Memories of remote mountain villages in Japanese folklore that I watched on television when I was little, seemed nothing but bygone myths, until I discovered the existence of Shirakawa-go 白川郷. Located…
During my recent trip to Osaka, I made sure to indulge in an unforgettable meal at Kani Doraku かに道楽. “Kani” means “crab“, while “doraku” means “frenzy or orgy“. With such a name, you can imagine the palpitations my…
I have recently fell in love with the powdered Japanese green tea called Matcha 抹茶 during my recent trip to Japan. It was during a visit to a samurai’s house in Kanazawa, where I was served an exquisite bowl…
One of my favourite ramen has to be the Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen 豚骨. Tonkotsu 豚骨 ramen is renowned the world over for its thick, aromatic and flavoursome broth. Although there are now ready-made tonkotsu broths in the supermarket, making…
After my trip to Japan, what I appreciate about Japanese cuisine, apart from the central role played by fresh seafood, is the more delicate and refined way of grilling food. Yakitori ( 焼き鳥 – chicken skewers), Yakiniku (焼き肉 –…
Every 15th November, Japan celebrates the Shichi-Go-San 七五三 Festival. Shichi-Go-San means ‘Seven-Five-Three’ – it is a rite of passage for girls and boys of 3 years, boys of 5 years and girls of 7 years of age. Shichi-Go-San 七五三…