Japan Eats!

Our guest is Chris Uhde who is a whisky specialist based in Los Angeles.  Japanese whisky is very popular among whisky connoisseurs in the world lately.  Chris understands Japanese whisky thoroughly but it is not the only reason he is here.  He has done something very precious for the shochu industry.  In Japan, if shochu is barrel-aged for a long time and its color turns amber, you cannot sell it in the market.  Chris discovered batches of unsalable barrel-aged shochu and magically made it into coveted whisky labels in the US.  n this episode, we will discuss the unique flavor profile of barrel-aged shochu, the Japanese regulation to restrict sales of dark-colored shochu, how it can be sold in the US as whisky and much, much more!!!Japan Eats! is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our guest is John Cox, owner and cooper at Quercus Cooperage in the Hudson Valley. John founded Quercus Cooperage in 2013 to pursue the art of traditional coopering. It is one of the 33 cooperages in the US, and is one of the very few, or maybe the only one that manufactures items for Japanese-style fermentation. In this episode, we will discuss John’s unique career path, his commitment to traditional woodwork, how he got into Japanese fermentation equipment and much, much more!!!Japan Eats is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My guests are Rich Shih and Jeremy Umansky, who just wrote a great book on Koji -  the title of which is “Koji Alchemy – Rediscovering the magic of mold-based fermentation”.  Koji is the national mold of Japan.  It is used to make almost all fermented products in Japanese cuisine, such as miso, soy sauce and sake.  Koji is also becoming a culinary keyword lately, and top chefs in the world such as Rene Redzepi and Ferran Adria have been actively utilizing it in innovative ways.  Jeremy joined us on Episode 135 and discussed his mind-blowing and effective ways to use koji.  In this episode, we will discuss what is in their fascinating new book - what koji is, why it is so special and powerful in producing great flavors, what you can make with it in both traditional and modern ways and much, much more!!!  Japan Eats is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we will discuss why Lillian decided to start Kokoro Care Packages, the artisanal farmers and producers they works with, challenges they face in running the niche global business and much, much more!!!Japan Eats!  is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our guest is Shinobu Kato who is the owner and brewer of Kato Sake Works in Bushwick, Brooklyn.  Shinobu soft-opened his sake brewery in March 2020 after several years of dreaming and careful planning while working as IT project manager at a major corporation in the US.As you may know, New York City already has the first sake brewery Brooklyn Kura in Industry City, which opened in 2017.  The owners Brian Polen and Brandon Doughan joined us twice (Episodes 105 & 176) to discuss their experience of opening and managing a craft sake brewery outside Japan.  Now here is the second craft sake brewery in New York City where Shinobu makes unique sake that is both authentic and American.  In this episode, we will discuss how Shinobu got into sake, his life philosophy that prompted him to a new career, the challenges he has been facing in making Japanese sake abroad and much, much more!Japan Eats! is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art1

Our guest is Amanda Cohen who is the chef and owner of Dirt Candy in Lower East Side and co-owner of Lekka Burger in Tribeca in Manhattan.  Amanda has been cooking vegetarian food for the last 20 years, since when vegetarians were in the absolute minority.  She is a James Beard Award-nominated chef and definitely a pioneer of the vegetable-forward movement in the US.  Amanda visited Japan in December 2019 to discover vegetarian food culture in the country.  Japan is a Buddhist society and had the heavily restrictive meat consumption policy that lasted 1200 years until the end of 19th century.  In this episode, we will discuss what Amanda discovered in Japan, how she applies the discoveries to her dishes in New York City, what vegetarian cuisine means in our modern society and much, much more!!! Japan Eats! is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our guest is Atsushi Kono who is the chef de cuisine at Chikarashi Isso in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan. Previously Atsushi was the executive chef and General Manager at Torishin, which is the destination for authentic yakitori in New York City. Chikarashi Isso opened in October 2019 and serves beautiful yakitori by Atsushi along with the executive chef Michael Jong Lim’s kappo-style Japanese dishes. Sushi and ramen became familiar terms around the world, but not many people know enough about yakitori. Yakitori simply means grilled chicken, but profound skills and craftsmanship are behind it. In this episode, we will discuss what yakitori is, how Atsushi got into the world of yakitori, why cooking ostensibly simple chicken skewers requires years to master and much, much more!!! Japan Eats! is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our guest is Massud Ghaussy who has a Japanese food and restaurant blog on instagram under TokyoManhattan. His posts not only describe restaurants he has visited, but also include many other elements behind the dishes, such as history, culture, cooking methods. He appeared on Episode 125, 136 and 152 and shared his favorite Japanese chefs and restaurants in Paris, NY and in Tokyo as well as sushi restaurants in NY and Tokyo. In this episode, we will continue our conversation with Massud, but the theme is not his favorite restaurants. In order to help you to understand Japanese food more deeply, we will discuss different genres of Japanese cuisine and how they were created. For example, what is honzen ryori? It is the mother of kaiseki cuisine created by samurais! Also, we will talk about various concept of taste and flavors that are unique to Japanese cuisine such as umami and kokumi.  Japan Eats! is powered by Simplecast.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https

Our guest is Marc Krampe who is the chef and owner of Southern Hospitality Kitchens in Lafayette, Louisiana.Marc has a unique relationship with Japanese cuisine through his wife’s heritage. His interest in Japanese food has developed over time and now he beautifully incorporates Japanese and Southern American elements on his dishes. Marc is also a chef devoted to sustainability. In this episode, we will discuss Marc's unique family background, how he studied Japanese cooking, his efforts to be local, sustainable and global at the same time, and much, much more!Japan Eats!  is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our guests are Alexis Agliano Sanborn and Chris Whittaker.  Alexis joined us on Episode 106 in 2018 to discuss the production of her new film “Nourishing Japan”. She is the producer and director of the film and now it is finally on view.  Chris is a professional composer, conductor and pianist, and he created beautiful songs for the film. Their new film “Nourishing Japan” introduces us to the unique Japanese food education philosophy through an example of the unique school lunch programs at an elementary school in the Tohoku region.  Healthy eating has become an important subject globally in recent years. The Japanese government enacted new legislation for food education, or Shokuiku, in 2005 to improve Japanese people’s diet and lifestyle of all ages.  The film inspires us to think what food education can do to our healthy mind, body and beyond. In this episode, we will discuss the philosophy of Japanese food education, how the Japanese school lunch programs differ from those in the US and other countries, w

Our guest is Katsushi Sakai who is the Sushi Head Chef at Kyo Ya, the iconic Japanese restaurant in East Village, Manhattan. Sushi began to draw attention around 1960s in the US and its popularity has seen exponential growth since 1980s. Who would have imagined 50 years ago that many Americans would eat raw fish on a daily basis?Katsushi came to New York in 2004 after working in Ginza, Tokyo, which is the capital of greatest sushi restaurants. In New York, he built his career from Assistant to Head Chef to Head Chef himself at the legendary Sushiden in NY. He also worked at Sushi Ginza Onodera and Sushi Nakazawa, two of the most reputable sushi restaurants in NYC before he joined Kyo Ya. Katsushi is one of the talented chefs who have been supporting the popularity of sushi in NYC. Today, we will discuss how he built his career as sushi chef, his philosophy of sushi making after 22 years of experience in Japan and New York City in total, how he balances sustainability and highest quality of fish and much, much

Our guest is Erik Ramirez, who is the chef and owner of the modern Peruvian restaurant Llama Inn, the casual Peruvian spot Llamita and the modern Nikkei Peruvian restaurant Llama San.  Peruvian cuisine is a hot genre in the culinary world right now.  As you may know, there are Peruvian citizens of Japanese ancestry called Nikkei who has influenced Peruvian cuisine over the last century.  And Erik is a Nikkei descent.Nikkei cuisine is getting attention globally too.  For example, Ferran and Alberto Adria brothers of El Bulli opened the Nikkei restaurant Pakta in Barcelona in 2013, and Maido in Lima, Peru is currently ranked #10 in the 50 World Best Restaurant list.  In New York, Erik is a big ambassador of Peruvian and Peruvian Nikkei cuisine.  In this episode, we will discuss Erik’s unique family background, his passion for Peruvian culture, what Nikkei cuisine is, how he expresses the uniqueness of Peruvian food on his plates, and much much more!Photo Courtesy of Paul BarberaJapan Eats is powered by Simpleca

Our guest is Jon Klip. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and after working at reputable Japanese restaurants in New York, he went to Japan and worked at one of the greatest kaiseki restaurants Arashiyama Kumahiko in Kyoto for 2 years until September 2019. Working in a Japanese kitchen is not easy for many reasons from language and cultural barriers to visa issues. But Jon conquered all those challenges and had precious culinary and life experiences in Kyoto. In this episode, we will find out how Jon discovered the charm of Japanese cuisine, how he landed in the unique job at a traditional kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto, what he has learned there, and much, much more!!!Japan Eats! is powered by Simplecast.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our first guest of 2020 is Elizabeth Andoh, who has joined us seven times on Episodes 18, 61, 83, 99, 108, 131, 156 and shared her deep insight into traditional Japanese food culture. Elizabeth is a food writer and Japanese cooking instructor based in Tokyo, and she has lived in Japan for over 50 years. She runs the culinary arts program called A Taste of Culture, which offers a great opportunity for non-Japanese people to explore Japanese culture through its food. Elizabeth is also the author of 6 cookbooks, including the award-winning “Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Kitchen”, “Kibo: Recipes and Stories from Japan's Tohoku” and “Kansha: Celebrating Japan's Vegan and Vegetarian Traditions”In this episode, we will discuss Japanese kitchen tools. Many unique kitchen utensils have been invented in the long culinary history of Japan. Elizabeth will introduce us to various kitchen tools and gadgets that make your time in the kitchen more fun and efficient even if you cook only non-Japanese dishes!!!Japan Eats!

Our guest is Sonoko Sakai who is a cooking teacher, noodle maker, food writer and grain activist based in Los Angeles and Tehachapi in Southern California. Sonoko just published “Japanese Home Cooking – simple meals, authentic flavors”. It covers everything you would like to know about the basics of Japanese food with tips and personal stories on each page. In this episode, we will discuss how Sonoko’ unique global upbringing inspired her to build her career in food, her passion for preserving ancient grains, her new book, and much, much more!The holiday season is all about food and community. There’s no better time to show your support for food radio by becoming a member! Lend your voice and help HRN continue to spreading the message of equitable, sustainable, and delicious food – together, we can change minds and build a better food system. Go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate today to become a crucial part of the HRN community.Image courtesy of Ben Hunter.Japan Eats! is powered by Simplecast.  See Privacy

Our guests are Haru Zenda of Masa, a famed sushi restaurant with three Michelin stars, and Andy May who works at The Polynesian, the cool tiki bar operated by the Major Food Group of Carbone, ZZ’s Clam Bar, Dirty French and other popular spots.  Haru and Andy are the two winners of the Shochu cocktail competition “Spirited Away” held in May.  The winners’ prize was a trip to Kyushu, the southern part of Japan and the home of shochu production.  In this episode, we discuss what they discovered in Kyushu, why shochu is a great ingredient for mixologists, how to make a great glass of shochu and much, much more!!!The holiday season is all about food and community. There’s no better time to show your support for food radio by becoming a member! Lend your voice and help HRN continue to spreading the message of equitable, sustainable, and delicious food – together, we can change minds and build a better food system. Go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate today to become a crucial part of the HRN community.Japan Eats

Our guest is Alyssa Mikiko DiPasquale. She is the Director of Communications at Cushman Concepts, which operates multiple successful restaurants including Oya in Boston and New York. The owner Tim Cushman joined us on the show on Episode 10 and talked about his culinary philosophy and the flagship restaurant Oya. Alyssa first joined Oya in Boston as a host and has built her career successfully since then in the challenging restaurant business. Also, she was recognized as an Eater Young Guns in 2013 for her role of effectively leading the sake program at Oya. In this episode, we will discuss how Alyssa developed her career in the restaurant industry, the very unique sake programs that she offers, her eye-opening encounter with Japanese-style hospitality and much, much more!Image courtesy of Ally SchmalingJapan Eats! is powered by Simplecast.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our guests are Brandon Doughan and Brian Polen, co-owners of Brooklyn Kura. It is the first sake brewery in New York, which opened at the Industry City in Brooklyn in 2017. They joined us on Episode 105, and discussed why and how created the sake brewery in NY and their sake-making philosophy. Since then, Brooklyn Kura is growing steadily and successfully. You may have seen their sake labels at Japanese restaurants and your local retailers. In this episode, we talk about their distinctively unique sake available at the tap room, new sake production methods that they are exploring right now, a fascinating collaboration with a traditional Japanese sake brewery, and much, much more!!!Japan Eats! is powered by Simplecast.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our guest is Tetsuya Nick Sakagami, a fish expert based in Los Angeles. Nick joined me on Episode 70 and discussed the Kindai tuna, a unique experiment of farmed Bluefin tuna by the Kinki University in Japan. Nick works as an international business advisor to the university, import sustainable tuna from Tahiti, educate American chefs about fish among other things. Also, he recently published a book called “Sushi Master – an expert guide to sourcing, making, and enjoying sushi at home”.Japan Eats! is powered by Simplecast.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our guests are Joshua Foulquier, co-owner of Sushi Noz, and Joshua Copeland, beverage director and general manager. Sushi Noz is an authentic ８-seat sushi restaurant in Upper East Side with a Michelin star. Joshua Copeland has extensive experience at highly reputable western and Japanese restaurants, including Del Posto and Brushstroke by David Bouley. He has built an impressive beverage list at Sushi Noz, which includes 165 sake, 18 shochu, 385 wine and 22 Japanese teas, to pair with sushi. In this episode, we discuss how Josh gained his knowledge of a vast variety of beverages, what to drink with sushi beyond Japanese sake, and much, much more!!!Join Heritage Radio Network on Monday, November 11th, for a raucous feast to toast a decade of food radio. Our tenth anniversary bacchanal is a rare gathering of your favorite chefs, mixologists, storytellers, thought leaders, and culinary masterminds. We’ll salute the inductees of the newly minted HRN Hall of Fame, who embody our mission to further equity, sustaina