Japan Eats

This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Craig Koketsu, a third generation Japanese-American and chef-partner of Fourth Wall Restaurants in New York City. The group is comprised of established restaurants including the flagship Smith & Wollensky location, Maloney & Porcelli, Quality Meats and Quality Italian. Tune in to hear how the traditions of his heritage, as well as those of the chefs who mentored him, made Koketsu the chef that he is today.

On an all new episode of Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by Nils Norén of Asil Limited, a consulting company for the hospitality industry. Norén is also the former Vice President of Culinary and Pastry Arts at The French Culinary Institute, the former Director of Operations for Marcus Samuelson's MSG Group, and the former Executive Chef of Aquavit. Tune in to hear them discuss the value of incorporating Japanese ingredients and techniques into all forms of cooking.

This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Masahiro Takeda of Wine of Japan, the leading national importer and distributor of Japanese alcoholic beverages for the last 40 years. He oversees a comprehensive portfolio of 250 brands of Japanese beer, sake, and shochu, distributed in over 32 states. Here are links to the three fascinating breweries discussed in this episode: Niida Honke (Their brand name on the label is Kinpou Shuzo) https://www.kinpou.co.jp/ Shimazaki Shuzo (Azuma Rikishi) http://azumarikishi.co.jp　　 Hayashi Honten (Eiichi/ Hyakujurou) http://www.eiichi.co.jp/en/

This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by Tomoko Honda of Ippodo Tea in Midtown Manhattan, the first street-front location of the shop outside Japan. The original location, located in the heart of Kyoto, has been providing the highest quality Japanese green tea for nearly three centuries.

On this week's episode of Japan Eats, host Akiko is joined in studio by Japanese cuisine specialist Elizabeth Andoh. Elizabeth talks about the fascinating world of preserved vegetables. A graduate of the Yanagihara School of Classical Japanese Cuisine, Andoh has written three books on Japanese cooking: An American Taste of Japan, At Home with Japanese Cooking, and the IACP-award winning An Ocean of Flavor. She has been writing for Gourmet magazine for more than 30 years and has been a frequent contributor to the New York Times travel section for more than a decade. She lectures around the world on Japanese food and culture and runs A Taste of Culture, a culinary arts center in Tokyo, Japan. She lives in Tokyo, Japan.

On the season premiere of Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Chef Tadashi Ono Tadashi Ono was born and raised in Tokyo, where he first began chef training, at age sixteen. Inspired by the mentorship of celebrated Japanese chef, ceramicist, and author, Rosanjin, Ono decided to further pursue his culinary career. He moved to Los Angeles in the eighties, cooking at the innovative French-Japanese fusion restaurant Le Petite Chaya and the legendary L'Orangerie. Relocating to New York, he became the executive chef of La Caravelle, one of America's top French restaurants. In 2003, Ono opened his signature restaurant, Matsuri, in the basement of New York’s Maritime Hotel. Ono also co-authored the cookbook Japanese Hot Pots, and is an accomplished potter and avid student of Japanese food culture.

On the season finale of Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Ryuta Kawano of Zen Noh, a passionate advocate of wagyu who has worked with the beef industry for over two decades. Tune in to hear how Japanese wagyu became the world’s best beef.

On this week's episode of Japan Eats, sake specialist Monica Samuels joins Akiko in studio for a conversation about Monica's American-Japanese background and her career as a sake sommelier, including Monica's takes on sake's production, distribution, and food pairings.

On this week's episode of Japan Eats, Akiko is joined in studio by James Freeman, founder and CEO of Blue Bottle Coffee. James talks about his pursuit of the perfect cup of coffee and reveals his three favorite Kissaten in Tokyo: Cafe Bach, Café de L'Ambre, and Chatei Hatou.

This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Maiko Kyogoku, owner of Bessou, a restaurant in Noho featuring modern takes on Japanese comfort food. Bessou was conceived from Maiko's desire to share her family’s food traditions. The ingredients are responsibly sourced and prepared with care, with a menu that is seasonal and changing year-round.

This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by Keizo Seki, owner and founder of Sushi Zo. Keizo Seki was born in Osaka, Japan. His lifelong desire to become a sushi chef, led him to Tokyo, where he gained valuable experience and knowledge of sushi. In 1991, he moved to Los Angeles, where he learned the business of the restaurant industry and honed his sushi skills. His dream to open a true Edomae style sushi restaurant, came to fruition in March of 2006, with the opening of the first Sushi Zo Restaurant in West Los Angeles. Within three short years, he was awarded a prestigious Michelin Star.

On this week's episode of Japan Eats, host Akiko is joined in studio by restaurant industry legend Barry Wine, former chef and owner of The Quilted Giraffe Restaurant, one of the most important restaurants in NYC's history. Tune in and listen to Barry share a few of his many stories of years working as a restauranteur in the city.

This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by Howie Velie, Associate Dean of Culinary Arts at the Culinary Institute of America, and culinary student Jose Ganem to discuss the school's new Japanese culinary program. The "Advanced Cooking: Japanese Cuisine" curriculum covers Japanese history and culture, along with the ingredients, flavors, textures, and techniques of authentic Japanese cooking.

This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by fellow HRN hosts Harry Rosenblum and Michael Harlan Turkell, creators of the Sumo Stew event series. Inspired by a trip to Japan, photographer Michael Harlan Turkell returned to New York City with aspirations of importing this ancient sport and teamed up with Harry Rosenblum, owner of The Brooklyn Kitchen, a wonderfully multi-faceted cooking store and center for culinary education. The two created a series based around plentiful bowls of chankonabe, the “sumo stew” wrestlers prepare and eat before matches. The hearty broth is loaded with fortifying protein and vegetables. This, paired with the live streamed bimonthly grand tournaments, makes for a lively event, bringing hungry first time and long-standing sumo fans ringside. The next Sumo Stew takes place on Monday, March 13 at the Brooklyn Brewery, and tickets are available here.

This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by San Francisco's Chef Richie Nakano. In 2010, Nakano opened Hapa Ramen as a pop-up food stand at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. A few years later, after launching a successful Kickstarter campaign, he opened his first brick-and-mortar ramen noodle shop and earned a 2013 StarChefs Rising Star Community Chef Award. His involvement with Hapa ended, but Nakano continues to experiment with new recipes and host pop-ups, as well as writing for First We Feast as well as Rising Stars Magazine.

This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in studio by chef and entrepreneur Makoto Suzuki, owner of several restaurants in Brooklyn, including Bozu, Samurai Mama, Momo Sushi Shack, The Brooklyn Ball Factory, and Samurai Papa. Suzuki talks about how he struggled to open his first restaurant in the not-yet-cool Williamsburg 13 years ago and how he keeps his restaurants staying popular for years. Masa Urushido's favorite bars in Tokyo: Bar Trench (in Ebisu) Fugulen (in Shibuya) Tableaux Lounge - cocktail & cigar bar (in Daikanyama)

This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Masahiro Urushido, bar manager of Saxon + Parole in New York's East Village. Urushido learned the craft of classic cocktails, mastered the art of ice carving, and perfected his overall technique in Tokyo, before moving to New York in 2008. Urushido has since achieved national recognition for his creative approach to drink making and has had a major contribution in Saxon + Parole’s award as World’s “Best Restaurant Bar” at the 2013 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. In 2014, Masa won the Chivas Regal Masters global competition, a huge accolade in the cocktail world.

This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in studio by Nick Sakagami, the only Certified Seafood Master by Tsukiji Fish Market (Tokyo) who resides outside of Japan, bicoastal fresh tuna importer, and expert in branding/marketing of higher-end seafood. Nick is also a supporter and educator of responsible fisheries globally.

This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in studio by chef and udon specialist Joji Uematsu. Uematsu is the vice president of Dining Innovation New York and a managing partner of TsuruTonTan Udon Noodle Brasserie at Union Square, where he gives New Yorkers an unique opportunity to taste udon noodles made masterfully with traditional Japanese techniques.

On the season premiere of Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by Douglas Diaz, a visual artist whose work has been strongly influenced by the Japanese countryside.