Umami Mart Gift Guide

Merry Kurisumasu

Merry Christmas everyone! I just woke up from yet another nap. I am sorry I have been neglecting thee, but after a full recovery day from this crazy last month, I will be fully devoted to you again. I actually got a tree this...

MOTOism

MOTOism: Living on Deadlines

Apologies for my long absence, my life has been a bit chaotic. As you know, I teach cooking classes to Japanese ladies (some gents), and temaki sushi-making class for Americans. The sushi class is pretty consistent since I follow the same routine for each session,...

Merry Xmas Wagashi (Sweets)

By Kenji Miura I celebrated Christmas in Japan by making wagashi, or traditional Japanese sweets. Santa is shaped out of shiro-an (white bean paste). The holly is made out of ogura tsubu-an (red beans boiled with sugar, skin-on). The tree is comprised of shiro-an and...