For all of ya'll who have been suggested we hold more, ehem, "alcohol education courses," this ones for you. And MEN are also welcome to this one! We're proud to host a whiskey tasting and talk with our friend Daniel Yaffe, author...
We are so excited to finally announce a proper soiree for Erin Gleeson's new cookbook, The Forest Feast! The book was published in April and has been selling like hotcakes at our shops. It was far and wide the best seller for...
This event is SOLD OUT! Umami Mart + Ordinaire + Selection Massale welcomes JICCA from Tokyo! We are so happy to present a night of spectacular food, wine and FUN (!) with our friend Tori-chan of JICCA (pronounced gi-kkah), visiting Oakland...
This women-only event is a collaboration with the Women & Whiskies program and is sponsored by Campari. A portion of the proceeds of ticket sales will go towards Dress for Success, a non-profit organization providing women with professional attire to develop...
The Bay Area has been so good to us. First, we opened our flagship store in Oakland in 2012 -- to our surprise, people were into our Japanese kitchen and barware shop! Then, back in November, we opened up as a...
We are ECSTATIC to announce our first partnership with The Trappist, our wonderful neighbor, and one of the Bay Area's most revered beer bars. The Trappist specializes in Belgian, European and American microbrews, and its menu contains pages of specialty beers...
2013 whizzed past us didn't it?!?! As I look back on the year, I recall a rager, a long day of blood/sweat/tears, a triumphant expansion, then, another expansion. Cause hey, why the hell not? It's all a bit...
Last year we hosted a Hannukah party with Erin of The Forest Feast, and her husband Rabbi Jon, in our first year of business in Oakland. It was a peaceful evening, and the first time I ever lit a menorah! The...
UPDATE: A SECOND CLASS HAS BEEN ADDED! Wednesday 9/25 at 7:30pm. This will be the same class as the one on Monday. Get your tix here! We are extremely excited to co-host an event with Oaktown Spice Shop. All about...
August is our birthday month! It's been one year since we opened our doors at 815 Broadway in Oakland, and indeed it's been an enriching, exhilarating year. Thank you everyone for supporting our vision as America's premier Japanese bar and kitchenware shop! We could...
Guess what?? Umami Mart Oakland will celebrate its ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY in August!!! Both Yoko and I are so grateful for all the support we've received this past year from our community, the Bay Area, and beyond. It's one thing to start...
Shochu tends to be the drink of choice around here on Umami Mart, but we know that it's still pretty unfamiliar terrain. Yoko and I firmly believe that there is a place for shochu in the States, but it may take...
We're going to LA! That's right, we'll be spending a few days in sunny Los Angeles, driving down Sunset Boulevard with the top down searching for the Walsh residence in Beverly Hills. Then, poolside sunbathing in our bikinis, sipping on Mai-Tais with little...
Conbini is a shortened word for "convenience" which is referred to when talking about convenience stores in Japan. Littered around on any street corner in most cities, conbinis are like a typical corner store, or bodega -- but from the future. They...
Ume (Japanese plum) season is upon us! Through the years, we've brought you many posts about making umeshu (plum cordial) at home. We've had several umeshu features and recipes on the blog, from Yoko's kitchen in Tokyo, MOTO's kitchen...
Come out for the 2nd edition of the Ippo Ramen pop-up here at Umami Mart. Last month, the ramen sold out in record time -- 56 bowls in 56 minutes. You know what that means... get here EARLY if you want a...
We are SUPER EXCITED to host a pop-up by Ippo Ramen this First Friday 4/5. Proprietor Steve Yee will be here starting at 6pm, ready to cook up some noodles to serve you his ramen. His simple menu consists of three...
Two years after the Tohoku disaster in 2011, memories have faded and conversations about the incident, and what we can learn from it, are rapidly disappearing from the media. As time widens the gap between...
In August, Tomo gifted us a daruma to celebrate the opening of Umami Mart. It is tradition to draw in one eyeball when you receive it while making a wish, then fill in the other when the wish comes true....
Yoko and I are showing our true, girly colors by celebrating Hinamatsuri (Girl's Day) at Umami Mart! We had to do it -- Yoko's mom spent over a decade making a traditional ohinasama (ornamental doll) display with five tiers (!) that we...