Spaghetti with asari (clams), shirauo (little white fish) and arugula at Pizzeria Matsuhisa in Denenchofu, Tokyo. Someday, I will open a wafu (Japanese-style) pasta shop in Oakland.

I can’t believe I just spent another weekend in a kolonihus (colony house). But that’s how the Scandinavians roll and who can say no to a pumpkin ravioli punch?

My Icelandic friend’s friend has a cute little cottage in Copenhagen which she visits regularly on weekends and slowly tries to repair and build into a fabulous little summer
Read More →

When I say Liguria, I’m talking about the Ligurian coast in the Italian Riviera. Topographically different from the rest of Italy, the coastline is scattered with mountainous cliffs that drop straight down into the ocean, and hidden beaches are nestled away in unspoiled coves.
Read More →

I try not to buy many kitchen gadgets, especially since the mandolin was such a big mistake. Not only did I almost lose my finger, but there’s not much use for it. I have a stand mixer that I use all the time, and the meat grinder
Read More →

Dear De Cecco, Barilla, and all other major pasta producers of the world: you should be ashamed of yourself, letting Japan come up with the smartest packaging for pasta EVER.

This one is “Mama” brand that my own mama Hideko picked up at
Read More →

Remember when I made kimchi fried rice? It has become my staple meal when I feel ultra lazy. Read: ALL THE TIME.

So how panicked was I when I went to the kitchen yesterday to take out all the precious ingredients out of the fridge,
Read More →

Since moving to California, I’ve become a bit of a drunk. I’m not sure if it’s out of boredom of living in Cupertino, in the house I grew up in, right across the street from my high school. It could be that I’m almost 30 and living with
Read More →

Tomorrow we pick up our new box, and I have to make room! So, since Gabe is out with some friends, I decided to make one of my one dish Trader Joe’s Meets the CSA box wonders…

First thing I had to do assess the fridge situation. Some stuff just needed to go, like this 3 day old salad.
Read More →

One of the best ad campaigns I have seen in Japan is for Kewpie’s Tarako (Cod Roe) Pasta Sauce. These ads have been running for the past three years and have created a branding craze for Kewpie dolls dressed up as tarako.

Check out these ads bordering on creepy and kawaii (cute).