It’s no secret that I harbour a strong interest in Japanese food and drink. I’m currently planning our next trip to Japan for autumn 2025 and I have always enjoyed sharing Japanese recipes and cookbook reviews here on Kavey Eats. But the latest book on this topic to join my collection of Japanese food writing ... Read more »
Salmon, seaweed and sesame seeds are a popular filling in onigiri (rice balls), especially those sold in conbini (Japanese convenience stores). Tim Anderson has created a one-pot recipe for a Smoked Salmon and Seaweed Rice bowl based on these same flavours. He adds his personal touch by using hot-smoked salmon (which isn’t traditional but works ... Read more »
Mabo Aubergine is a popular Japanese variation of the Sichuan Chinese Mapo Tofu (also known as pockmarked grandma’s beancurd). Here, aubergine takes the place of tofu – it’s soft, silky texture and ability to absorb flavours partners perfectly with punchy pork. But this clever recipe from Tim Anderson’s JapanEasy Bowls & Bento is even better, ... Read more »
Following on from Masahiro Kasahara’s Quick Pan-Fried Gyoza Disks, here’s another great idea for anyone yearning for the flavours of Japanese gyoza, but not wanting to spend the time shaping individual dumplings. Gyoza-Filling Rice Bowl is the first recipe we made from Tim Anderson’s JapanEasy Bowls & Bento cookbook. Find out more about the cookbook in our ... Read more »
As it’s subtitle promises, JapanEasy Bowls & Bento: Simple and Satisfying Japanese Recipes for All Day, Every Day by Tim Anderson is all about quick, easy and absolutely delicious recipes that can be enjoyed for any meal of the day. Regular readers will know how excited we get about new Tim Anderson cookbooks (see our ... Read more »
There’s more to eating in Japan than sushi, tempura and teriyaki (delicious though they are). For travellers seeking to immerse themselves more fully into Japanese cuisine, enjoy our in-depth guide and learn about all the fantastic food and drink to be enjoyed in Japanese cuisine. Contents Amazake | Azuki Beans (Anko) | Bakery (Bread, Patisserie ... Read more »
Known in Japan as ajitsuke tamago – often abbreviated to ajitama – ramen eggs are an integral element of a good bowl of ramen and Pete and I adore them! Soft-boiled eggs are chilled (to stop them cooking further) before being marinated in a soy sauce, mirin and sake marinade until the egg whites take ... Read more »
As in the UK, it’s common in Japan to incorporate ideas and ingredients from around the world into your home cooking. Masahiro Kasahara has based this simple pasta dish on niratama, a classic stir-fry of garlic chives and softly scrambled eggs. The combination of bacon and garlic chives creates a quick, simple and tasty meal. ... Read more »
Even for those that are experienced and very dexterous, it can take a fair bit of time to expertly fill and fold traditional gyoza. This clever recipe from Masahiro Kasahara’s The Ultimate Japanese Noodles Cookbook takes away some of that effort by sandwiching the gyoza filling between two round gyoza wrappers instead! It’s a delicious ... Read more »
Tomatoes and mushrooms are naturally high in umami flavours, as is miso paste. The combination creates a deliciously savoury and simple pasta dish, perfect for quick meals. The recipe is from The Ultimate Japanese Noodles Cookbook by Masahiro Kasahara. You can switch the nameko mushrooms out for other varieties if you can’t find nameko. Tomatoes ... Read more »
The Place of Onions, in old Lille. After last night’s rainstorm the intense sticky heat has broken and today is cool, breezy, fresh… I love it! A drop of… [more]
We went to Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire at The Void this morning, an amazing VR experience where we got to be Rebel Alliance members going undercover as… [more]