Blog

The Umami Reader: 3rd Wave Green Tea Is a Thing in Tokyo
January 27, 2017
Tokyo's 1st green tea pour-over cafe, a Japanese steakhouse's Trump Burger, Nyet My President – the cocktail, and more food + drink news.
The Umami Reader: Would You Wait 8 Hours in the Rain for Pliny the Younger?
January 13, 2017
The 2017 release of Pliny the Younger is coming, Roy Choi responds to Pete Wells' LocoL review, Mr. Okra the singing vegetable vendor, and more.
The Umami Reader: NY Times Critic Slams Oakland's Locol
January 6, 2017
NY Times gives Locol 0 stars, new S'mores Girl Scout Cookie, 10 food photos you should stop posting on Instagram, and more.
The Umami Reader: iPads as Plates, This is San Francisco
December 30, 2016
A restaurant in San Francisco that serves food on iPads, the mysterious Canadian whiskey fungus, an artist who knits ramen noodles, more food emoji.
The Umami Reader: A Rock'n'Roll Travel Guide to Osaka
December 23, 2016
Where to go in Osaka, a gingerbread Death Star, the worst artichoke dip ever, jackfruit, and William Faulkner's hot toddy recipe.
The Umami Reader: Try This Instant Ramen Hack
December 16, 2016
How to make your instant ramen taste better, the benefits of psychedelic mushrooms, psychedelic honey hunters, rock climbing to find medicinal herbs, more.
The Umami Reader: This Is Why Brown Rice Sushi Isn't a Good Idea
December 9, 2016
Why science says brown rice is bad for sushi, Pikotaro's CBCC, how Roberta's has been implicated in Pizzagate, Tartine Bakery benefit for Ghost Ship, more.
The Umami Reader: The Taco Bell Cheetos Quesadilla and Other Food Monstrosities
December 2, 2016
The latest offering from Taco Bell Philippines, a look at the Phorrito from Komodo in LA, a huge bowl of salmon roe on rice in Sapporo, Japan and more.
The Umami Reader: This Bong Menorah Guarantees 8 Nights of Hanukkah Munchies
November 25, 2016
The bong Menorah, a guide to Korean noodles, Hong Kong Shop cats, and foods to buy if you want to make white supremacist Trump supporters angry.
The Umami Reader: Watch This Dog Help Prepare Thanksgiving Dinner
November 18, 2016
Thanksgiving meals from across the U.S., kids try Chinese food and give their opinions, and a man who plays fruits and vegetables like instruments.
The Umami Reader: We Can't Stress Eat + Drink for the Next Four Years, Can We?
November 11, 2016
This week's Umami Reader covers election stress eating, the world's grossest burger – the North Korean Koryo Burger, and the rise of omakase menus.
The Umami Reader: Yes, Racism Against Asians in the Restaurant Industry is a Thing
November 4, 2016
Bodega cats, Asian stereotyping and racism in the culinary world, Tokyo and Kyoto win best cities in the world, Good Eats sequel coming soon, more!