Recipes | Tokyo Weekender

What is Konbu? Everything You Need To Know About The Japanese Seaweed

Anna Carne — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 08:02:56 +0000

Is Konbu the Same as Seaweed? In Japan, seaweed is such a commonly used ingredient that there are far too many varieties to list. From wakame, the chewy seaweed that is soaked before using to nori, eaten as is and often found hugging onigiri, there are countless Japanese names for different types of seaweed. Sometimes […]

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What is Wasabi and Why Is It so Spicy?

Anna Carne — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 03:47:45 +0000

The Origins and History of Wasabi Wasabi was first cultivated in Japan in the 10th century after it was discovered growing by mountain streams, thriving alongside running water and shade. It was originally cultivated for its health benefits, which we’ll go into later. From the start of Japan’s medieval period in the 1200s, wasabi started to […]

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What is Shiso? A Guide to Japan’s Favorite Herb

Kim Kahan — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 04:31:42 +0000

The Origins and History of Shiso Like many Japanese staples, shiso made its way to the Japanese archipelago through trade with Chinese merchants. It was introduced to Japan in the eighth or ninth century, but not as a cooking ingredient. Instead, its seeds were used to make oil to power lamps. It wasn’t until the […]

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9 Japanese Ingredients Perfect for a Vegan Barbecue

Kim Kahan — Mon, 29 May 2023 05:51:31 +0000

When friends invite you to a barbecue, or even when you host one yourself, as a vegan, it can be hard to work out what to bring. In Japan, where the number of vegans or vegetarians per group is considerably smaller than that in the west, meat and seafood reign supreme. But fear not, vegans, […]

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This Thanksgiving, Enjoy a Sip of American Wine Alongside Healthy Ingredients

Cassandra Lord — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 09:11:30 +0000

As you likely already know, America is one of the world’s leading countries when it comes to agriculture. But it’s also one of the leading countries for wine production. The states of Oregon and Washington are two major producers of wine in the country and are quickly becoming favorites of the wine world for their […]

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A Taste of Organic America: Thanksgiving Vegan Rice Salad Rolls Recipe

Eric Margolis — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 05:43:28 +0000

We’re just one week away from Thanksgiving and the start of the extended holiday season. That means it’s time for home parties — and everybody needs some good American eats to go along with them. This year, why not ring in the season with a fresh kind of plant-based menu, using high-quality ingredients? This expert […]

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Coffee Trends: Japan is Obsessed with Espresso Tonic

Zoria Petkoska — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 02:35:09 +0000

Hellish heat calls for all kinds of summer coolers. When it comes to summer drinks in Japan, the beloved classics are sports drink like Pocari Sweat or a bottle of cold green tea. In the last few summers in Japan, however, coffee lovers have been hyped for the espresso tonic. The bitterness of both components […]

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5 Original Japan-inspired Cocktail Recipes

Weekender Editor — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 01:00:29 +0000

Shun Kosaka spends most of his waking hours concocting new cocktail creations. Many of them aim to showcase a range of traditional Japanese ingredients: from sake and shochu to yuzu and locally crafted cider. Here are five of Kosaka’s innovative recipes, all — with the exception of the award-winning Hana Shigure — conceptualized and prepared […]

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Sake Flavor Everything: Eat It, Drink It, Bathe In It

Mac Salman — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 04:14:02 +0000

Whether it’s adding matcha to chocolate or adding chocolate to a body scrub gel, flavor crossovers and combos are always exciting. We combine whiskey with KitKats, pour wine in stews and in Japanese cuisine we cook with sake. From sake flavor KitKats to bathing in sake — there are more ways to enjoy nihonshu than just drinking […]

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All About Amazake: From the History of Fermentation to Modern Experimentation

Eleonora Badellino — Wed, 19 May 2021 01:22:46 +0000

The first time I tasted amazake was at the entrance of a temple during the celebration of oshōgatsu, also known as the Japanese New Year. Among the classic stands offering okonomiyaki, chocolate-covered bananas and yakitori, my attention was caught by two men dressed in traditional clothes ringing their bells in front of a steaming cauldron. I joined the […]

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