Category Archives: Japan

Noriko Nurtures Berkeley Diners with Homey Japanese Dishes

Posted on November 29, 2012 by

Noriko Taniguchi cooks Japanese food “the way it used to be” at her cozy Berkeley restaurant, Norikonoko. Surrounded by tiny tea sets and origami cranes hardly bigger than a grain of rice, this nurturing grandmother will make you onigiri, oden or her special pork curry. Continue reading →

Posted in Immigrants' stories, Japan, Japanese food | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Food Speaks in Many Tongues – Edible Idioms in 17 Languages

Posted on September 3, 2012 by

Porridge Head! Sweetie-Pie. Adaptable Tomato. Every language uses descriptive food phrases as insults, endearments, warnings and advice. Here is a smorgasbord of food metaphors and idioms in 17 languages including French, ASL, Danish, Chinese, German, Spanish, Turkish, Hebrew, Italian and Arabic Continue reading →

Posted in ASL, Chinese food, Denmark, Food Idioms, France, German Food, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Persian/Iranian, Politeness, Turkey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fascinating Food Adventures in Kyoto

Posted on May 30, 2012 by

On a visit to lovely Kyoto, I choose a hands-on approach to sample its delicacies. With the help of Kyoto Free Guides’ interpreters, I take classes in pickle, soba and sweet making and finally a five course cooking class in a home kitchen. Continue reading →

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Vanessa’s Poke Leaps Across Cultural Boundaries

Posted on June 5, 2011 by

Vanessa’s Bistro serves a superb Tuna Salmon Poke that melds elements from Hawaiian, Japanese and Mexican cuisines with chef Vanessa Dang’s Vietnamese twist. Continue reading →

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Voyage to 99 Ranch Market-Land

Posted on April 17, 2011 by

Go on an instant trip to exotic lands by visiting Richmond’s 99 Ranch Market, a shopping emporium of Chinese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Filipino, Japanese and Indonesian foodstuffs. More than an ocean of fresh fish and hard to find fruits and vegetables. Snacks in un-dreamed of flavor combinations. Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese food, Filipino food, Indonesian food, Japan, Korean food, Taiwanese food, Thai food, Vietnamese food | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Japanese Pickles – more than just a condiment

Posted on April 4, 2011 by

Tsukemono or Japanese pickles are an essential part of every meal. They add crunch and color, and aid digestion. Easy to make at home with recipes from a book or website. Continue reading →

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Get Lucky this New Year’s with Food from Many Cultures

Posted on December 28, 2010 by

A whirlwind tour of lucky New Year’s foods from France, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Japan, Mexico, and Greece. Continue reading →

Posted in Brazil, Denmark, France, German Food, Italy, Japan, Jewish Food, lucky food, Mexican food, Spain | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Home Cooking — Japanese Grandmother Style

Posted on December 10, 2010 by

Trust me, I could eat sushi everyday of my life. But on a dreary, wet, cold December afternoon, I crave a grandmother’s warm home cooking. My grandmother would whip me up some chicken soup and brisket at the drop of … Continue reading →

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Japanese Tea room is hidden gem in Rockridge Jewelry Shop

Posted on November 21, 2010 by

EXCERPT: A moment of Zen tranquility in an unlikely spot – Oakland’s Itsy Bitsy Jewelry shop now houses a Japanese tearoom to study the way of tea. Continue reading →

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Sake Secrets Spilled at Takara Sake

Posted on November 3, 2010 by

Berkeley’s Takara Sake Tasting room and Sake museum will educate your palate about different types of sake and enlighten you about the history of its production. Continue reading →

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