Asparagus - Edible Medicine
An early summer vegetable It’s asparagus season now in my native Hokkaido — time to enjoy these succulent shoots at their best! Asparagus...
Harusame (lit. “Spring Rain”) - Asia’s Gluten Free Noodle!
The noodle of choice in Zen cooking Harusame noodles are an Asian type of gluten free noodle made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, or mung...
Pork - Packed with Essential Nutrients
Great for fatigue and mental health Pork wasn’t always a traditional part of the Japanese diet: in fact, it wasn’t until the 19th century...
Umeboshi — A Super Nutritious Plum
An umeboshi a day keeps the doctor away Dried plums — umeboshi in Japanese — are so nutritious that we Japanese go as far as to say that...
Unagi — Japanese Traditional Eel
An ugly and mysterious fish I believe that eel is eaten in certain other parts of the world beyond Japan, but it is by no means common...
Nagaimo - Japan’s Much Loved Gooey Potato
Prized for its gooey texture While its trademark gooey texture may not win Nagaimo (Chinese Yam) many fans around the world, in Japan it...
Scallops - The Diet-Friendly Shellfish
The versatile scallop Scallops are popular all over the world, and Japan is no exception. Their chunky adductor muscles (the part you...