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July 16, 2024
 

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Simon Daly
Most people think of hydration as a strictly liquid-based concept, but eating foods with high water content is an essential part of making it through a Japanese summer unscathed.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jul 13, 2024
How to tweak your diet when temperatures spike
The one thing everyone can control when the mercury rises is their diet.
There are numerous iterations of 'rāyu' (chili oil), and they all have in common a complexion fiery enough to easily ruin your favorite T-shirt.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Jul 7, 2024
I can’t believe it’s not restaurant ‘rāyu’
With just a few common kitchen items, it couldn’t be simpler to create a unique chili oil right in your own Goldilocks zone.
Any fruit can work as a base here — if, for example, the dad you’re cooking for this upcoming Father’s Day avoids raspberries.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Jun 15, 2024
Cobble together this Father’s Day raspberry dessert
Each spring, higher elevations, forests and countryside backroads are inundated by foragers in search of mountain vegetables, fruits and berries.
Serve this savory parfait chilled with rustic bread, crackers or other charcuterie.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Jun 8, 2024
Broaden your parfait horizons with chicken liver
Spices and herbs can be adjusted to individual tastes or even omitted, but the gelled wine topping is fairly classic, set here with seaweed extract.
"Rintaro: Japanese Food from an Izakaya in California" is a welcome reminder of how Japanese basics are best done and, perhaps, how to get a little closer to how things still should be.
LIFE
May 26, 2024
A California dreamin’ cookbook of 'izakaya' favorites
In an age where traditional knowledge is being forgotten, “Rintaro: Japanese Food from an Izakaya in California” is a treasure trove.
The original recipe for a "toast sandwich" has the added option of cold cuts, though the dish has since been reimagined with bone marrow and other lavish ingredients.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
May 12, 2024
Recipe: Japanese bread sandwich (yes, really)
This is not a sandwich made between slices of toast, nor is it a toasted sandwich.
Mustard can be found up and down Japan-based cuisines, but it's rarely a component in American macaroni and cheese.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
May 5, 2024
Recipe: Mac ‘n’ spicy cheese
This recipe raises the stakes of the American classic of macaroni and cheese with Japanese mustard.
In this recipe, cherry tomatoes take the place of classic tomato puree, with sausage, onion, mushrooms and green pepper in tow, as is tradition.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Apr 14, 2024
Recipe: Italian-Japanese pasta with a pinch of South Korea
This is a balanced, delicious meal anyone can put together in 20 minutes flat.
This technique can also be used to marinade tofu that has had excess liquid pressed out.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Apr 7, 2024
Recipe: Miso-marinated Camembert
Umami rich and sticky sweet, 'dengaku' sauce is best known in recent times as a glaze for grilled eggplant.
The giant green signs of this supermarket chain can be slightly intimidating, but chefs of all stripes are welcome in Gyomu's aisles.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Mar 31, 2024
In praise of Gyomu Super, a gem of Japanese grocery shopping
With a name that translates to something like “commercial supermarket,” you might assume Gyomu is just a restaurant supply chain.
The soup is a simple version of classic French onion, and topping it with dried and grilled 'mochi' (rice cake), itself a single ingredient product, is a fun twist but can easily be switched out for traditional cheesy croutons.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Mar 31, 2024
Recipe: French onion soup a la Gyomu
A surefire way to grocery shop is to find the commodities with the shortest ingredient lists.
I was skeptical of Lillian Cumic's avocado tempura, but I wound up loving it.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Mar 3, 2024
Vegan or no, ‘Hawaii Washoku’ is a cookbook for all eaters
Chef Lilian Cumic offers creative versions of many of Japan’s most iconic dishes crafted from scratch with pantry staples found in most kitchens.
Even if you’re unfamiliar with 'kōji' by name, chances are you’ve been consuming it for a while.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Feb 18, 2024
Recipe: Dry rub to jump down the ‘kōji’ rabbit hole
On the eve of a major gathering of Aspergillus oryzae aficionados, here’s a ‘kōji’ recipe to get you started on your own adventure with the magical mold.
The term “snacking cake” has an adorable je ne sais quoi.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Feb 11, 2024
Recipe: Snacking carrot cake
The term “snacking cake” has an adorable je ne sais quoi. I wish they were more widely available in Japan, so here's one pared back to basics.
With a little dehydration and a few pinches of Japan's favorite mold, you've got yourself some game-ready wings with a Tokyo twist.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Jan 28, 2024
Recipe: Kickoff-ready glazed wings
These ponzu-glazed wings are a perfect finger food to enjoy alongside your early-morning football.
A little artful application of your pizza toppings can leave you feeling like you've just put together an equally aesthetic bowl of sushi and rice.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Jan 14, 2024
Recipe: ‘Chirashi’ pizza
In traditional 'washoku' cuisine, five flavors and five ways of cooking ensure balance of flavor and nutrition.
This chocolate salami dish is a no-bake truffle medley of chocolate ganache mixed with biscuits, nuts and dried fruit.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Dec 24, 2023
Recipe: Chocolate salami roll
The chocolate salami dish is a no-bake truffle medley of chocolate ganache mixed with biscuits, nuts and dried fruit.
Japan's 'itameshi' (Japanized Italian cuisine) has as many detractors as proponents, but you can elevate your pasta beyond the criticism with this edamame-infused dish.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Dec 3, 2023
Recipe: Edamame 'mollicata' pasta
Known in Basilicata as 'mollicata,' this rustic preparation can be served with or without cheese.
'Arayes' are a Lebanese dish made from raw meat stuffed into pita pockets and cooked until succulent inside and crispy outside.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Nov 26, 2023
Recipe: Coffee-spiced stuffed pitas
'Arayes' are a Lebanese dish made from raw meat stuffed into pita pockets and cooked until succulent inside and crispy outside.
While "yōkan" jellies are usually set quite solid with "kanten" agar, there is something to be said for using it more sparingly for a softer finished product.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Nov 12, 2023
Recipe: Sweet potato ‘pie’
With a little effort, you can turn baked sweet potatoes into a fun and easy introduction to the world of traditional Japanese sweets.
Bloodied Trump survives assassination attempt at political rally
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded and evacuated by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump was rushed off stage at the rally after shots rang out.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
Amid same-sex marriage ban, LGBTQ couples opt for 'photo weddings'
A lesbian couple, consisting of a 35-year-old woman (left) and 40-year-old woman, cover their faces with bouquets as they pose for wedding photos in Yokohama on Nov. 1.
China and Russia conduct joint Pacific military patrol
The Russian corvette Gromkiy enters the Chinese port of Zhanjiang as part of a joint China-Russia naval exercise on Saturday.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.
How to tweak your diet when temperatures spike
Most people think of hydration as a strictly liquid-based concept, but eating foods with high water content is an essential part of making it through a Japanese summer unscathed.

Podcast

You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
By Tomoko Otake

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals
Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals

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