I am not a food critic, nor a chef. I’m a 68-year-old retired school teacher from Lübeck, Germany, who never truly imagined she’d one day find herself under a flurry of pink sakura petals, wandering through Japan with three of her closest friends from the old teaching days.
Ramen is more than just a bowl of noodles—it’s a cultural icon, a steaming hug in a bowl that’s been warming hearts in Japan and beyond for decades. Shoyu ramen, with its soy sauce-based broth, is one of the most beloved styles, offering a perfect balance of umami, saltiness, and depth.
Discover Monjayaki, Tokyo’s Unique Street Food Monjayaki, a savory Japanese pancake from Tokyo, is a runny, gooey cousin of Okonomiyaki, packed with cabbage and customizable toppings. Cooked on a griddle, it’s a fun, communal dish. The Charm of Monjayaki Monjayaki, affectionately called “monja” by locals,… Read More »Monjayaki Recipe: Tokyo’s Savory Pancake Delight
Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki is a culinary masterpiece from Japan’s Hiroshima region, often described as a savory pancake stacked with layers of flavor. Unlike its Osaka-style counterpart, which mixes ingredients into the batter, Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki builds distinct layers of batter
Okonomiyaki, often called Japan’s savory pancake, is a beloved comfort food that hails from Osaka, the culinary capital of Japan. The name “okonomiyaki” translates to “grilled as you like it,” which perfectly captures its customizable nature.
Yakitori (Sasami) is a Japanese grilled skewer dish featuring tender, lean chicken tenderloin (sasami) grilled over charcoal and glazed with a savory-sweet soy-based sauce or simply seasoned with salt. This dish is a staple in Japanese izakayas (pub-style eateries)
Yakitori Tsukune is a beloved Japanese dish featuring tender, juicy chicken meatballs skewered and grilled to perfection, often glazed with a savory-sweet tare sauce. Unlike other yakitori varieties that use whole pieces of chicken, tsukune is made from ground chicken
Three months ago, I packed my bags in Bangalore, India, and moved to Tokyo, Japan, for a new role as an IT professional. At 27, I was both thrilled and nervous to immerse myself in a new culture, language, and work environment. Between debugging code and navigating the dizzying Tokyo subway
Miso Katsu is a beloved specialty from Nagoya, Japan, where the city’s rich culinary tradition shines through in this hearty dish. A variation of the classic Japanese tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet), Miso Katsu swaps the traditional tonkatsu sauce for a bold, savory-sweet red miso sauce
When I first booked my summer backpacking trip to Japan, I had a rough plan — Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka — the classics. I didn’t know I’d arrive in Kyoto right in the middle of Gion Matsuri, one of Japan’s oldest and grandest festivals