Uni Restaurant | Nikkei Cuisine in London

I recently started a new job in Victoria, an area jam-packed with mediocre chain restaurants and coffee shops. When I asked food friends for recommendations, Uni was a name that popped up more than once, with its salmon tacos singled out for particular praise. Taco shells filled with salmon tartare isn’t a dish I’ve ever ... Read more »

Saya Ingen Shira-ae | Green Beans with Tofu, Miso & Sesame Dressing

Traditionally, the key ingredients in the Japanese dish shira-ae are white – white tofu, white miso and white sesame seeds; shiro means white in Japanese and the ae suffix denotes a vegetable dish with dressing. What’s unusual from my European perspective is the low amount of liquid ingredients in the dressing; the silken tofu provides ... Read more »

Making Japanese Yakiniku at Home & New Zealand Grass Fed Wagyu Flat Iron Steak

During our two recent holidays to Japan, we discovered a real love for yakiniku.* I was determined to recreate this indoor barbecue experience at home. But there were obstacles: no smokeless charcoal; no indoor barbecue container; no working extractor fan in the kitchen (it died and we’ve not had it fixed); and it can be ... Read more »

What is Yakiniku? | Enjoying Yakiniku in Japan

In China, Taiwan and North America, yakinuku (literally “grilled meat” *) is often referred to as Japanese barbeque but in Japan itself, it’s very much considered a Korean import. In the UK, it’s not well known at all. Showa Taishu Horumon in Osaka What is Yakiniku? Yakiniku is DIY dining at its finest! Diners gather ... Read more »

Ramen, At The Corner

I was really happy with our Kyoto hotel choice for last October’s stay. The previous year, we’d split our 5 nights in Kyoto between the gorgeous Shiraume ryokan in Gion and Hotel Granvia, located in the large and modern Kyoto Station building. That worked wonderfully for our first visit to Kyoto. This time, I wanted ... Read more »