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Midori Matcha Café’s Sublime Sweets and Power Drinks
みどり抹茶カフェの抹茶デザートと健康的なドリンク
“We (only) hire people who honestly like matcha,” declares Midori Matcha Café owner, Dmitry Steinbuchel. “This brand is about heart.” Indeed a love and a passion for matcha motivates Dmitry to serve only the very best at his café. All matcha drinks are made with ceremonial grade tea and organic ingredients. The... Read Full Article49 |
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Miracles, magic and moons are the topic of the day in the USA. Talk of the solar eclipse elicits excitement and trepidation. Similar to the emotions I felt when Dunkin’ Donuts opened their doors in Tokyo. Yes, it was a long time ago; during the dinosaur age (aka the ‘70s.) The import of an American donut franchise like Dunkin’ Donuts was a miracle! Tokyo in the 1970s had yet to see the onslaught of American-Japanese marriages... Read Full Article50 |
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Somi Somi: A Marriage of East and West in an Ice Cream Cone
Somi Somi: 西洋と東洋が結婚したアイスクリームショップ
Somi Somi is aiming to go organic. Organic or not, Somi Somi is an ice cream shop not to be missed. (Unless you have serious food sensitivities.) Flavors familiar to the Japanese and Korean palate are swirled into a pancake cone! Specifically a taiyaki; a fish shaped shell.
Traditionally, taiyaki is filled with red bean paste in both Japan... Read Full Article51 |
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“Teatime is more than a warming your hands with a mug of matcha.” So says my teatime aficionado friend, Marjorie. She’s right. It’s the heartfelt conversation which teatime seems to encourage. Whether the matcha is in a paper cup or bone China, the act of taking time to pour matcha (or substitute your favorite tea) allows beauty to appear. Even sorrows, when expressed are on their way to healing. Teatime also allows the... Read Full Article52 |
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Adventures abroad are eye opening and exciting. Even if the desire to travel burns in your bones, don’t you appreciate a taste of home once in a while? Green tea ochazuke rice is what many Japanese turn to when missing home. Matcha ochazuke is the au courant rice bowl. The meal is simple. Thanks to the millions of Chinese restaurants around the world, Japanese travelers can easily make matcha ochazuke rice. All that is required is a... Read Full Article53 |
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Sushi is a revered art form in Japan. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (a fantastic documentary) reflects the strict standards adhered to by old-school sushi masters. Iron Chef Morimoto, in his latest cookbook, Mastering the Art of Japanese Home Cooking, also speaks of the long training process. Before his knife could touch the fish, Chef Morimoto was required to perfect cooking Japanese rice. (Even amongst home cooks, there is a definite competitive edge... Read Full Article54 |
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Fine dining doesn’t require Noritake plates and Lalique crystal. Nobody knows this better than Jane and Michael Stern, the husband and wife authors
of Road Food. (Now in its 10th edition! The couple is celebrating their 40th anniversary of stalking scrumptiousness. ) Famous amongst fans of the Splendid Table podcast, the duo travels America’s byways scouting home-style deliciousness. The Sterns’ reports to Splendid Table... Read Full Article55 |
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The Japanese Style American Tea Room
日本風のアメリカン・ティー・ルーム
Prada. Strolling around the town is like stepping into a movie set. Beverly Hills is a beautiful place. But after you’ve had your fill of shopping (window shopping for some of us) and taking photos, you’ll probably crave a pick-me-up. Saunter over to the American Tea Room.
You’ll enter a space with a Japanese sense of design. No clutter. (Mari Kondo would be proud... Read Full Article56 |
