Book Reviews

South Of The Border, West Of The Sun Review: A Dream-Like And Radiant Love Story

yamatomagazine4 Comments

South Of The Border, West Of The Sun book review.

Haruki Murakami is arguably the most well-known Japanese author in the west.  His unique writing style has captured the attention of readers all over the world and one of his most memorable books is South Of The Border, West Of The Sun.

Focusing on the relationship between two childhood friends who reconnect in their thirties, South Of The Border, West Of The Sun contains all the classic tropes of a Murakami novel.  There’s jazz, joy, heartbreak and the indomitable willpower of the human spirit to go after what it yearns for. Continue reading “South Of The Border, West Of The Sun Review: A Dream-Like And Radiant Love Story” →

Japanese Cuisine

Savoury Umami Porridge With Fried Egg Recipe (Perfect For Winter!)

yamatomagazine3 Comments

When it comes to breakfast, porridge is a staple meal. But it can often be unexciting if you’re just eating it with milk or water every day. Mixing different ingredients with oats can make for a much more interesting breakfast and sweet toppings are a popular choice. But have you ever considered savoury porridge? It’s a revelation for me!  

A savoury porridge I love eating relies on two classic Japanese ingredients: soy sauce and butter. Top it off with a fried egg and you’ve got a wholesome, filling breakfast that’s packed full of umami. And best of all, it’s easy to make. Continue reading “Savoury Umami Porridge With Fried Egg Recipe (Perfect For Winter!)” →

Japanese Cuisine

Ki No Bi Gin Review: More Complex Than Your Average Mother’s Ruin

yamatomagazineLeave a comment
Ki No Bi Gin has a complex bouquet of flavours that will please a lot of drinkers.

The gin boom over the last decade has led to an unprecedented amount of variations being brought out. It feels like everyone and their mum has jumped on the gin train, riding it towards an alcohol nirvana. The Japanese market is no different, with the likes of Etsu and Roku duking it out for the attention of consumers.

Ki No Bi is another Japanese gin that’s enjoyed tremendous success. Introduced in 2016, this flavourful drink brings together the best of western and eastern brewing techniques. Continue reading “Ki No Bi Gin Review: More Complex Than Your Average Mother’s Ruin” →

Pop Culture and Japan

Sake On Air Review: How To Discern The Aromas Of Sake

yamatomagazine4 Comments
The sake flavour wheel shows the different aromas that can be applied to nihonshu.

Japanese sake offers drinkers some of the most diverse flavours in the world. But there’s a lot of misconceptions surrounding sake, and it’s helpful to hear from experts who can educate the public on what makes Japanese alcohol outstanding. Sake on Air is exactly the kind of podcast you want to listen to for expert advice.

An episode I’ve found extremely interesting is the aroma of sake and how our sense of smell contributes towards enjoying a drink. Hosted by Chris Hughes, Rebekah Wilson-Lye and Sebastien Lemoine, sake aromas is a must-hear episode for anyone with an interest in Japanese alcohol. Continue reading “Sake On Air Review: How To Discern The Aromas Of Sake” →

The Kokoro Files: Stephanie Buttery
The Kokoro Files

The Kokoro Files: Stephanie Buttery

yamatomagazine1 Comment

Taking inspiration from another culture can be a life-changing decision. When Stephanie Buttery travelled to Japan, she immersed herself in the local drinking culture and returned to the UK with a goal of starting her own business. As the founder of the premium soft drinks brand, Chu-Lo, Buttery has created a drink inspired by Japanese chuhai.

After meeting Buttery at the Doki Doki Festival in Manchester, I wanted to hear the Chu-Lo story and what motivated her to start her own business. Continue reading “The Kokoro Files: Stephanie Buttery” →

Women Warriors

Women Warriors: Kaori Housako

yamatomagazine4 Comments

In Japan, the role of women has varied greatly across the ages. From master sake makers to fierce fighters, many Japanese women have carved out lasting legacies across multiple fields. This includes the world of wrestling and one of most successful Japanese women wrestlers of the modern era is Kaori Housako, better known by her ring name Kairi Sane.

Starting from an acting background, Housako translated her love of theatre into the realm of sports entertainment. It put her on the path to joining the ranks of other influential Japanese women wrestlers like Meiko Satomura and Dash Chisako. Continue reading “Women Warriors: Kaori Housako” →

Japanese Cuisine

Vegetarian Wafu Conchiglie Pasta With Tofu and Sake Sauce

yamatomagazine3 Comments

As a creative outlet, cooking is extremely satisfying. There’s so much opportunity to combine different ingredients and develop unique dishes. And one of the most distinctive cooking methods is wafu, which translates to ‘Japanese style.’ By bringing together Japanese ingredients with western cooking, you have the potential for out of this world cuisine.

I love experimenting with wafu pasta and a recipe that I’ve come up with recently is a vegetarian dish that uses conchiglie and tofu to create a rich umami texture. Continue reading “Vegetarian Wafu Conchiglie Pasta With Tofu and Sake Sauce” →

Sake Reviews

Toko Junmai Sake Review: Umami For Days

yamatomagazine9 Comments
Toko Junmai sake has the aroma of a ginjo sake, but tastes similar to honjozo.

Yamato Magazine was created to help promote Japanese related brands and one of the most rewarding aspects of running the magazine has been to raise awareness of different sake breweries and suppliers, such as Ueno Gourmet, a premium sake supplier based in Germany.

They were kind enough to send a bottle of Toko Junmai sake to try in exchange for an honest review. Crafted by the venerable Toko brewery, this sake is sure to appeal to sake purists who value high-quality nihonshu that doesn’t have any brewer’s alcohol in it. Continue reading “Toko Junmai Sake Review: Umami For Days” →

The Kokoro Files: Lucy Wilson
The Kokoro Files

The Kokoro Files: Lucy Wilson

yamatomagazine2 Comments

The Kokoro Files spotlights the stories of everyday people and their connection to Japan. For Lucy Wilson, Japan inspired her to enter the realm of sake production. Along with her husband, Tom, Lucy is the co-founder of Kanpai Brewery, the UK’s first sake brewery.

It was a pleasure to talk to Lucy about how Kanpai Brewery was created and what it’s like to enter sake into competitions. Read on to learn more about the types of nihonshu and experiences that the brewery offers. Continue reading “The Kokoro Files: Lucy Wilson” →