Blog

The Umami Reader: The Asian Salad Must Die
May 5, 2017
Salads do not have an ethincity. An ode to Bonnie Tsui's NY Times Op-Ed review on the Asian salad genre.
The Umami Reader: The Japanese Wiener Obsession
April 14, 2017
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.
The Umami Reader: Here's How You Shouldn't Eat Soup Dumplings
April 7, 2017
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.
The Umami Reader: Drake Learns Not to Eat Crappy Sushi in Amsterdam
March 31, 2017
This week's food news: Drake cancels show due to bad sushi, more on the mysterious Bread Face, Oakland's newest beer garden is pissing people off.
The Umami Reader: The Art of Handmade Soba
March 24, 2017
Handmade soba, the greatest grilled cheese sandwich, the NBA's addiction to PB&Js, Colin Kaepernick donates $50k to Meals on Wheels, and #dontdrinkballast.
The Umami Reader: The Death of Lucky Peach
March 17, 2017
Lucky Peach is folding, a cheeky Hungarian winery has a message for Donald Trump, a Japanese start up bringing back the yaoya, and more food news.
The Umami Reader: Japan's Pizza Hut Cats Are Back!
March 10, 2017
A Pizza Hut run by cats, the deportation of a Houston taco truck owner, an interview with Kogi's Roy Choi, and a bakery in Oakland with Black Panther roots.
The Umami Reader: Kawaii!! Japanese Animal-Shaped Donuts
March 3, 2017
This week's food news includes cute donuts, Noma's dishwasher becomes a co-owner, what Trump's steak preference says about him, and more.
The Umami Reader: Can Ethnic Restaurants Be "Authentic" If They're Not Cheap?
February 24, 2017
Hawker Fare closed because of the glut of restaurants in Oakland, but also the expectation that ethnic restaurants should be cheap. This and more food news.
The Umami Reader: We Support Restaurants that Support Immigrants
February 17, 2017
Food stuff you should know about this week, Immigrant support in the restaurant industry, the California Croissant, a Bourdain profile, cat wine, and more.
The Umami Reader: Matcha Curry, Genius or Gross?
February 10, 2017
This week's food & drink news: Matcha Green Tea Curry, an ebay auction for a Cheeto that looks like Harambe, vintage Taco Bell decor, and more.
The Umami Reader: Kit Kat Sushi is Real
February 3, 2017
Sushi-shaped Kit Kats, Japanese Valentine's Day sweets, a Hedgehog Cafe in Tokyo, Cup Noodles Final Fantasy collection, and cannabis olive oil.