Latest Posts

Okuizome (First meal) Day!

January 28, 2020

Categorised in: Blog | Link of this article

“Okuizome” (first meal) is the Japanese traditional ritual that parents perform around the 100^thday after the birth of their baby along with their family and relatives (sometimes friends, too) to wish the baby will never starve by sharing a celebratory meal.

The celebratory meal is in the traditional “one soup and three dishes (一汁三菜）” style and generally consists of Osekihan (rice cooked with red beans), whole grilled fish such as snapper, soup, Nimono (simmered food), and pickles, which are eaten with celebratory chopsticks made of willow.

We prepared Osekihan, Chikuzen-ni (simmered vegetables & chicken), Miso soup with shijimi, Simmered snapper, Pickled plum.

Ramen ラーメン

January 23, 2020

Categorised in: Japanese Food Dictionary | Link of this article

Despite the origin from China, ramen is now a most representative dish of Japan. There are three components of ramen. Soup is made with dashi and seasonings like soy and miso. Chefs develop their own recipes for their soup by combining multiple ingredients, such as pork bones, chicken bones, kombu (kelp), dried fish, vegetables and herbs. Two other components are toppings and noodles. These vary depending on the ramen shop and the region it is produced. Noodles are usually egg noodles and can be thicker or thinner. You can see the dynamic performance of shaking noodles with using noodle strainer at the shop. Ramen toppings reflect the local food culture. Seasoned eggs called Ajitsuke tamago is a must! The classic flavors are miso, salt, soy sauce and tonkotsu (pork bone-based thick soup). Ramen is regionally diverse. Tonkotsu is popular in the south, whereas Shoyu ramen (soy sauce-based ramen) is popular in Tokyo.

Burari @ Nippori

January 21, 2020

Categorised in: Blog | Link of this article

The other day, I went to Nippori area and visited this ramen shop. The name of this shop is Burari (ぶらり). This shop is located in a narrow alley. If you don’t look its location in detail, you may passed the entrance of the alley.

They offer three kinds chicken based ramen only. Those are Torisoba (clear chicken soup ramen), Chicken paitan ramen (cloudy chicken soup ramen) and Tsukemen (dipping ramen). I tasted all of them and my favorite was Torisoba because I could taste the simple, clear but rich flavor from the soup.
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Tokyo Guide : Hama-rikyu Gardens (浜離宮)

January 12, 2020

Categorised in: Tokyo Guide | Link of this article

In this vlog, I will introduce seasonal drink that I found at the Starbucks and then one of the famous Japanese garden in Tokyo. This place is called “Hamarikyu gardens”. If you are in Tokyo or planning to come to Tokyo, please visit this garden and have a relaxing time with matcha tea. Enjoy the video! YUCa

YUCa’s Japanese Cooking on COOL JAPAN (NHKBS1)

December 30, 2019

Categorised in: Blog | Link of this article

YUCa’s Japanese Cooking will be featured on the Japanese TV show “COOL JAPAN” (NHK BS1 channel).
https://www4.nhk.or.jp/cooljapan/x/2020-01-01/11/3049/1887424/

On their new year’s special program, they will feature 25 news and cool activities in Japan and rank them and discuss its secrets. (Oh no!!! I feel excited and also nervous…50:50) .

If you are/will be in Japan, check out this program on the 1st of January, 2020 from 22:00! [Japan time]
Don’t miss it!!!

Tokyo Guide : Ameyoko in Ueno (アメ横)

December 29, 2019

Categorised in: Tokyo Guide | Link of this article

After the Christmas day, it’s time to prepare for New Year’s! In this vlog, I will introduce one of the biggest outdoor market called “Ameyoko” in Ueno area. I was so amazed to see that Ameyoko is getting so international food town. You will see Korean food, Taiwanese food, Chinese foood and Thai food etc. So, every time I go there, I feel like I am traveling many countries (especially Asian countries) at the same time! Amazing, isn’t it? If you are in Tokyo or planning to come to Tokyo, please visit and enjoy the foods and shopping there! At the end of the video, I will guide you to our family’s favorite train themed restaurant!!! Enjoy the video! YUCa

Morning on Christmas day

December 25, 2019

Categorised in: Blog | Link of this article

Santa came to our house with presents & letter!
My son put the handmade little door on the window so that Santa can enter. Good job!
That’s why Santa could enter our house…Maybe?