Blog

Meet the Man Behind the Best Yakitori in Oakland
October 5, 2016
Chef Thomas Cleary, aka Tommy, runs Hina Yakitori. We talked to Tommy about his journey to become one of the best yakitori chefs in the Bay Area.
Japanify: Soboro Donburi (Crumbly Chicken Bowl)
September 26, 2016
During my last visit to Tokyo, my grandma sent me home with some store bought,...
The Vin Vivant: Spin the Bottle
April 26, 2014
My #1 tip for how to learn more about wine: spin the bottle around and...
Kitchen Follies: Shio-Koji Roasted Chicken
October 28, 2013
In life, I'm all about making mistakes. The important thing is to just try everything!...
Japanify: Grilled Oriental Chicken
October 4, 2013
The early 90s... I was distancing myself from my Sandylion stickers while making multiple trips...
Japanify: Chicken Hambagu
July 18, 2013
The Japanese dish hambagu derives from the Hamburg steak. Hamburg steak is the patty of a...
The Swedish Chef: Larb Gai
May 29, 2013
By Haan Ridell Hi I'm Haan. I'm Swedish but live in Copenhagen, and I fly...
MOTOism: Move Over Shio Koji, Here Comes Shio Yogurt
December 18, 2012
Trends in Japan changes as often as Taylor Swift changes boyfriends. It's like, wasn't she...
ReCPY: Rolled Chicken Breast Stuffed with Sticky Rice
February 27, 2012
I've been reading on many Japanese blogs that people are stuffing sticky rice inside a...
Great UM Noodletown: Pho Ga Special @ Ao Sen (OAK)
February 8, 2012
Pho ga dac biet is a special chicken noodle soup at Ao Sen, my favorite...
ReCPY: Gourmet Comfort Soup
December 5, 2011
Chicken noodle soup, whatever the reason maybe, is often eaten when we are sick. I...
Slightly Peckish: Hainanese Chicken Rice
June 28, 2011
My sister is married to a wonderful man, whose mother also happens to be an...