Packaging Whore

Highlighting smart, aesthetically-pleasing design in food packaging.

July 16, 2015

Packaging Whore: Kewpie Egg Royal Mayonnaise

by Moto Yamamoto

Mayonnaise in America = Hellman’s = Gross. This is what many people say or think, but mayo in Japan is very different. As many of you know, Kewpie mayo is the good stuff.  If you haven’t had them, go to Umami Mart in Oakland and buy one. Or you can make it yourself. A lot of […]

June 7, 2013

Packaging Whore: Chinatown Canned Goods

by Kayoko Akabori

Our shop is located right next to Oakland’s Chinatown, where I spend a lot of my time. This is sort of a dream for me, I’ve always wanted to be near a Chinatown, whether in NYC or in the Bay Area — so I could have access to a variety of banh mi, noodles, dim […]

April 18, 2012

Packaging Whore: The Intelligentsia Coffee Pour Over Set

by Kayoko Akabori

Now, Umamimart has never really been “in” on the “scene”. We don’t really get invited to hip opening events or get star attention from restaurants when dining. We have never paid too much attention to those kind of things — we just like to talk about food and drinks — whether it be gross, pretty, […]

June 1, 2011

Packaging Whore: Wrapper’s Delight

by Anders Arhoj

Oh great, here we go again. Another blog post about Japanese food packaging design. But you know what? The reality is that the Japanese kick our butts many times over when it comes to intelligent, fun and groundbreaking ways to wrap something edible. Ok, so there actually are American designers at work behind the scenes […]

April 15, 2011

Packaging Whore: Gyokuro Tea for Intelligentsia

by Kayoko Akabori

When visiting Chicago for the first time last year, I of course had Intelligenstia Coffee as a must-go destination. Sure, they’ve got a super spiffy space in Venice (LA) now, but Intelligentsia originally hails from Chi-town, so I wanted to make sure to stop by. This is when I discovered artist Timothy Breen. I saw […]

February 16, 2011

Packaging Whore: Kitaro One-Cup Sake

by Kayoko Akabori

I regretfully report that Anders, aka Skankynavia and Packaging Whore columnist, is on sabbatical for the next few weeks, and will be returning in mid-March. Sorry, Martians! I know you all adore his posts, but our resident SkankMaster will be hibernating for the rest of the winter. It’s chilly up there in SkankyLand. I’ll be […]

February 9, 2011

Packaging Whore: Kawaii Eats

by Anders Arhoj

The kawaii (= cute) world of Japan is a very positive dimension of happiness, beauty, bunnies, rainbows and ribbons. And not just something that contains characters, but also an aesthetic approach that appeals to your heart, with a rather feminine touch and usually a soft design that makes you go, “Awwwww, that’s so CUUUTE”. Girls […]

February 2, 2011

Packaging Whore: Suppon Soup in a Can

by Kayoko Akabori

My pal Washi just got back from Japan and brought me an entire BAG full of fun omiyage (gifts)! Little booties from Muji, a pack of Nagoya-style miso udon, and a can of… kan kohi (canned coffee)? I read it aloud, “ゴールド すっぽん スープ” aka Gold Suppon Soup. “Turtle,” Washi translated. Turtle soup? IN A […]

December 22, 2010

Packaging Whore: Faggy Foods (The XXXmas Edition)

by Kayoko Akabori

PREFACE Packaging Whore: Faggy Foods (by Anders) I’ve been a serious holiday downer this year. Even though I really do not care for religion, ya’ll know I adore Jesus, and I have done nothing to celebrate the day of his birth thus far. No gifts, no cards, no love. Shame on me! Anders asked me […]

November 17, 2010

Packaging Whore: Faggy Foods

by Anders Arhoj

They’re all around you, The Fags. With their pastel-coloured yachts and pink-powered investment banker dating services. They’re also best friends with Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow, giving them advice on what to wear and whom to date (they also advise Cher on her live show outfits, but we don’t talk about that). I belong to the […]