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10 Years of Umami Mart

Here we are, 10 years after opening our doors at 815 Broadway, August 3, 2022. How sweet are we???  It all feels like a million years ago but know that our adventures are only beginning. Ten years is certainly...

A Look Back at 815 Broadway

It was over six years ago on August 3, 2012, we opened our doors in Old Oakland. We had no idea what we were doing – but we had a solid crew that contributed their blood, sweat, and tears to our DIY build out. We had no idea...

Introducing Bar and Glassware by Umami Mart

When we first launched Umami Mart in 2007, we were a wee food and drink blog. I informed NYers about secret ramen spots, Yoko mused about weird foods in Japan, Anders updated us about the latest on controversial food packaging, Erin uploaded

Umami Map

Umami Map: Ode to Sacramento (And Mom)

On a game trip to Sacramento in 2001, Lakers coach Phil Jackson called Sacramento a cow town. He also said Kings fans were “semi-civilized” and “redneck in some form or fashion.” Later that season, when Sacramento was matched against the Lakers in...

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,...

Japanify

Japanify: Grilled Oriental Chicken

The early 90s... I was distancing myself from my Sandylion stickers while making multiple trips to the Wherehouse to make sure that I got tickets to see Radiohead at the Edge in Palo Alto. It was a confusing time, but it shaped me. Foodwise,...

One Year of Umami Mart Oakland

Our first year as Umami Mart in 3D has zipped by. We opened our doors at 815 Broadway on August 3, 2012, and what a year it's been! It seems like only yesterday that Yoko and I were having one of our weekly meetings at...

The Many Faces of Nuoc Mia (Sugarcane Juice)

It's been three months since I went to Vietnam. For an entire week, Johnny and I scootered around Saigon, and then a few days down the Mekong Delta. It was an unforgettable trip, that I have yet to recount here. Once I get all the...

MOTOism

MOTOism: In Memory of My Aid (2000-2012)

Aid, Kitchen passed away on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. She was 12 years old. Since she was adopted (refurbished model), the exact date of birth is unknown. The cause of death is paralysis. The bowl is completely stuck on the base, and no matter what...

MOTOism

MOTOism: Family Crabbing

Happy New Year. 2013 has started with a perfect sunrise in Japan. Hopefully it signifies that the rest of the year to be bright and shiny. 2012 was filled with happenings: from Taylor Swift changing boyfriends 18 times, to Gangnam Style to Sandy craziness to...