What is Umami? Ponder the oyster. A martini. Tom yum. Carne asada. Fleur de sel. All umami. Don't try to define it! Just surrender to the addiction; savor the flavor implosion.

San Francisco Bay Area


February 18, 2010

Making Natto in North America

by yoko

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Natto is the one of those foods that elicits strong reactions. I get overwhelmed with a sense of joy and excitement, but the response I hear from most people (who aren’t from or aren’t descendants of the eastern regions of Japan) is pure disgust.

I remember how clueless I
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February 15, 2010

Tortas Los Picudos (SF)

by yoko

DSCN0839

I finally ate my first torta two weeks ago – on Superbowl Sunday. My friend Kishi, who lives in San Francisco, took me to Tortas Los Picudos on 24th Street between Alabama and Harrison.

I guess it took me this long to actually try a torta because of
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February 12, 2010

Fried Chicken Livers at Magnolia Pub (SF)

by kayoko

Magnolia Pub & Brewery (SF)

I love chicken livers, but battered in panko and fried???? HOLY HOTCAKES! I could not stop– I think I ate this entire plate all by my lonesome. No sharing, sorry!

The nuttiness of
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Umamiventure #22.5: Everett & Jones (OAK)

by kayoko

Everett & Jones BBQ (OAK)

PREQUEL

Umamiventure #22: St. George Spirits & Hangar One Vodka (SF Bay Area)

What’s the best accompaniment to whiskey? BBQ all the way! As I’ve already told you, the very first time I tasted St. George whiskey was at
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February 9, 2010

Umamiventure #22: St. George Spirits & Hangar One Vodka (SF Bay Area)

by kayoko

St. George Distillery

Photos by Mike Brandeberry and Kayoko Akabori.

‘Tis true: there lives a kickass distillery named St. George Spirits, just east of San Francisco, right across the Bay Bridge, in a little town that bleeds into Oakland, called Alameda, in California.

A group of us went a few weeks
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February 5, 2010

Next Monday: UM Relaunch Happy Hour (SF)

by kayoko

Dear SFers,

Yoko (Tokyo JUNKtion), CJ (Tap This) and I (UM Event Planner) will be at Magnolia Pub on Monday at 7pm to celebrate the relaunch over beers.

But not just any beers. We’re talking STRONG BEERS. That’s right, it’s that time of year again in
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February 3, 2010

Ball-and-Chained to Berkeley

by yoko

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After a 4-year, 4-month hiatus, I am back in Berkeley. Robotland (a.k.a. Tokyo) was good to me, but finding myself shuffled in line at the Berkeley Bowl between one of these, and Zack de la Rocha’s doppelganger on
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FRIED PHO!

by kayoko

Dac Phuc (SJ): FRIED PHO!

Let’s talk today on the subject of one of my favorite foods in the world: pho. But this is not just any kind of pho. I’m talkin’ FRIED PHO. No joke, I crave this every single day and have been dying to share this
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January 15, 2010

Shirohige Ramen Truck (SF)

by kayoko

Shirohige Ramen Truck (SF) Shirohige Ramen Truck (SF)

Two words: RAMEN TRUCK.

Is this not the raddest thing you’ve ever heard? Cause it should be. I know, I know, the food
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January 12, 2010

The Limited Edition Margherita at Tony’s (SF)

by kayoko

Tony's Pizza Napoletana (SF): Limited Edition Margherita

Look at this magnifiscent Margherita pizza. The crust is alive, bubbling with hot molton charcoal flecks. This here, is true love.

Tony opened his namesake pizzeria last year in North Beach. He uses flour imported from IT,
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