Umami Mart Gift Guide
Bay Eats Japan

Soba Ichi's Washi, the Chuhai King

We love chuhais, the ubiquitous, thirst quenching drink served at any watering hole or found in a can at any conbini (convenience store) in Japan. The word chuhai is a combination of shochu-highball โ€“ get it? Theyย have yet to get their day in the limelight here in...

Eating Out

Soba Ichi: From Grain to Noodle

The highly-anticipated moment has arrived: Soba Ichi is finally opening its doorsย next week โ€“ the Bay Area's first housemade soba restaurant. It is an opening that has taken years to create, a partnership between Shinichi Washino, Koichi Ishii, Christian Geideman, and Paul Discoe, who all met...

Itani Ramen Now Open (For the Moment)

We've all been patiently waiting for Itani Ramen to open its doors. The time has come... THIS WEEKEND! Kyle Itani, co-owner of Hopscotch restaurant, has been working on this project for years -- we even went to his Ramen Nights at Hopscotch,...