Blog

Since celebrating Solstice last week, we can finally say that summer is here. In the Bay Area, we've already experienced a heat wave that rivals those in New York or Tokyo - we could not handle it. I've created a cool, refreshing beer cocktail for just those...

Pulling out balled-up leftover cheeses and one-cup sakes from my fridge is my weeknight, wind-down, go-to ritual after work. Even though some cheeses pair better with certain types of sake, I love nibbling on cheeses with whatever sakes happen to be rolling around in...

Okonomiyaki is everywhere in Japan. It's one of those foods that appear in festivals and restaurants across all prefectures - making different styles of okonomiyaki. What is okonomiyaki? Okonomiyaki, is a savory pancake consisting of an egg and flour batter, mixed with vegetables like cabbage and often ground...

Far Leaves is a treasure in Berkeley, CA. A place to enjoy a pot of luxurious teas from Asia or simply buy a canister to take home -- Far Leaves is an oasis of calm, nestled on a busy, industrial section of...

Since opening in 2015, Sequoia Sake Brewery has been a gem in the heart of the Bay Area. Located just south of Portrero Hill, founders Noriko Kamei and Jake Myrick use their space as a full-scale sake brewery, as well as...

The first time I tried an Imada Shuzo (brewery) sake was in 2014 when we opened our bottle shop in Oakland. The savory acidity of the Fukucho Forgotton Fortune junmai made my mouth water, and I have been...

Miho Imada of Imada Sake Brewery and me with two of the bottles offered this month for Sake Gumi! May sakes ship today for Sake Gumi, our monthly sake subscription club. If you like what's on deck here, you should

Jennifer Colliau is one of Bay Area's greatest bartenders. To use words such as "smart," "talented," or "creative" seem to undermine her qualities. Rather, she is a force in the industry -- ambitious, yet down to earth; knowledgable, yet curious; confident,...

Salads do not have an ethincity. An ode to Bonnie Tsui's NY Times Op-Ed review on the Asian salad genre.

I always get nervous before an event because I want it to be the best that it can be. Last week's 2nd Annual Sake Dinner at Camino restaurant was no exception. I tossed and turned all night, imagining how the...

Although the Kamenoko Tawashi is one of the most popular household items in Japan, it originated from a failed invention.

This month’s Sake Gumi features sakes that are fresh, breezy, and fruity. Each of these sakes embody elements I love about spring.

Japanese hot dogs, David Chang's guide to kitchen tools; a scathing review of Le Cinq, Paris; Trap Kitchen, a restaurant founded on Instagram, more.

Our Black and Brown Bamboo Chopsticks are handmade by Wakasa craftspeople in Fukui Prefecture. Minimal in design. Great for everyday use, or for plating.

Our most popular sale of the year. 30% off our entire Diamond Cut glassware line. Sale ends on Sunday, April 16, 2017 or until we sell out.

Here's the menu for our three-course, sake-paired dinner at Camino. This spring-themed meal will be prepared by Russell Moore in Camino's wood-fire oven.

The MAC Santoku Knife is a reliably great everyday chef knife for all entry levels, from occasional home cook to professional chef. Made in Japan.

A video about soup dumplings gets it all wrong, that tone-deaf Pepsi commercial with Kendall Jenner is so bad, traditional Asian post-partum recipes, more.

Made by renowned Japanese barware makers, Yukiwa, the Gold Boston Shaker Set consists of two high-quality gold-plated stainless steel tins.

A list of the latest and upcoming Bay Area Japanese restaurants, including new ramen in Burlingame, sushi + omakase in San Francisco, and shochu in Oakland.