Get Your Fresh Wasabi Fix With The Wasabi Company

26th Jan 202126th Jan 2021 yamatomagazineLeave a comment

Across the world, there’s been an explosion of interest in Japanese ingredients, with chefs and bartenders infusing things like sake, dashi, miso and shochu into their culinary creations. Fresh wasabi is another ingredient that’s become highly prized, especially when you consider that much of the stuff that comes in mass-produced paste form is probably horseradish or mustard.

Pound for pound, wasabi is arguably the most expensive vegetable on the planet because of how it’s produced and the demand for getting hands on the genuine article. Down in the South-East of England, The Wasabi Company has made a name for itself by growing fresh wasabi and championing it across the globe.

Continue reading “Get Your Fresh Wasabi Fix With The Wasabi Company” →

Japanese Cuisine

Shoryu Piri Piri Tonkotsu Kit Review: Ramen As Good As You’ll Find In Any Restaurant

25th Jan 2021 yamatomagazineLeave a comment

During lockdown, hospitality venues have needed to get creative in order to keep moving forward and this has led to the rise of DIY meal kits that recreate the quality of the food you would find in a restaurant.

A venue I’ve seriously missed being open in the UK is Shoryu, as it’s where I’ve been able to get my ramen fix for years and slurp many good bowls of heart-warming broth. The next best thing to eating ramen at Shoryu was to order one of their meal kits, so I dived into the awesome Piri Piri Tonkotsu pack.

Continue reading “Shoryu Piri Piri Tonkotsu Kit Review: Ramen As Good As You’ll Find In Any Restaurant” →

Japanese Cuisine

Wasabi Macaroni And Cheese With Nori Dressing Recipe

22nd Jan 202122nd Jan 2021 yamatomagazine2 Comments

Japanese ingredients are incredibly versatile, working with a number of dishes to draw out certain flavour profiles and an ingredient that I’ve enjoyed experimenting with recently is wasabi.

Pairing this spicy Japanese staple with one of my favourite comfort foods seemed like a no brainer. So, let me introduce my wasabi macaroni and cheese recipe with nori seaweed.

Continue reading “Wasabi Macaroni And Cheese With Nori Dressing Recipe” →

Japanese Cuisine

Sate Your Hunger For Japanese Food Knowledge With The Awesome Japan Eats! Podcast

15th Jan 202116th Jan 2021 yamatomagazine1 Comment

Japan Eats! Podcast

When Japanese food comes to mind, ideas immediately form. Sushi, ramen, katsu curry, yakitori. Meals that have taken the world by storm and can be found in some form or another just about anywhere these days. Yet there is so much more to explore and the depth to be found in Japanese food is truly extraordinary.

If you have a hunger to learn more about the beauty, history and flavours of Japanese food, then it’s time to add a new podcast to your list. Japan Eats!, hosted by Akiko Katayama, dives deep into the exciting world of Japanese cuisine.

Continue reading “Sate Your Hunger For Japanese Food Knowledge With The Awesome Japan Eats! Podcast” →

Japanese Cuisine

Wafu Shochu Pasta Jumble With Tofu And Cannellini Beans

18th Nov 2020 yamatomagazineLeave a comment

Bringing together food from different cultures can be a fun way to experiment with new dishes and develop unexpected flavour combinations. That’s why I enjoy creating wafu meals that combine European aesthetics with Japanese ingredients and cooking techniques.

Pasta is one of the easiest ingredients to mix into a wafu meal, especially when using leftovers. With that in mind, here is my wafu pasta jumble recipe that includes tofu and cannellini beans soaked in a homemade shochu roux.

Continue reading “Wafu Shochu Pasta Jumble With Tofu And Cannellini Beans” →

Japanese Cuisine

6 Types Of Wagashi That Represent The Beauty Of Japanese Aesthetics

21st Oct 202021st Oct 2020 yamatomagazine6 Comments

Wagashi are beautiful Japanese sweets that tell various stories.

Beautiful food is an integral part of Japanese culture and perhaps the best kind of food to emphasise this fact is Japanese confectionary. Known as wagashi, Japanese sweets are traditionally served alongside coffee and green tea to heighten the drinking experience.

But what really stands out about wagashi is the depth of creativity and storytelling that goes into such a tiny object. Each style of wagashi is different, telling the story of a season or representing a certain mood or region. There are so many to appreciate and here are six types of wagashi that will make you appreciate the beauty of Japanese sweets.

Continue reading “6 Types Of Wagashi That Represent The Beauty Of Japanese Aesthetics” →

Japanese Cuisine

Appreciating The Art And Drama Of Yugiri In Ramen Making

5th Oct 2020 yamatomagazine3 Comments

It’s no secret that ramen dishes are some of the tastiest meals on the planet and that it’s very likely you’ll find the meaning of life at the bottom of a bowl once you’ve finished slurping up all the noodles and broth. This deliciousness comes from the heart and soul that ramen chefs put into their craft.

Using a wide variety of techniques and tools, the chefs elevate ramen making into an artform and one of the most intriguing skills that’s put into practice is yugiri. This technique involves ‘cutting’ hot water in a strainer, producing some of the most elegant moves that you’ll ever see in a kitchen.

Continue reading “Appreciating The Art And Drama Of Yugiri In Ramen Making” →

The Kokoro Files

The Kokoro Files: Darren Yates

11th Sep 202011th Sep 2020 yamatomagazine1 Comment

The Kokoro Files shares the stories of people who’re passionate about Japan and who’ve had their lives transformed through experiencing the culture. Darren Yates started out in Bolton in the UK and decided to roll the dice by heading to Japan. He fell in love with Japanese cooking techniques and within a few years he brought it back home to set up a restaurant and deli empire.

I met Darren while dining in his restaurant Auradaze in Ambleside and from the first bite, there was something special about his food. He’s the kind of guy who can talk to anyone and make them feel at home, but in the kitchen he’s all business and quiet focus.

It was a lot of fun hearing his stories about travelling across the world, serving celebrities like John Travolta and fishing for giant tuna in Bora Bora. An interview was on the cards, so read on to learn more about Darren and the concept behind Auradaze.

Continue reading “The Kokoro Files: Darren Yates” →

Japanese Cuisine

The Definition Of A Hidden Gem: Experience Some Of The Best Japanese Food In The World At Auradaze

8th Sep 202011th Sep 2020 yamatomagazine4 Comments

Japanese food is perfect for experiential dining, as there’s an art and tradition behind Japanese cooking that goes back centuries and deserves to be shared with people from all walks of life. One of the most interactive Japanese dining experiences is an omakase menu, which puts the power of food in the chef’s hands. The customer must place their trust in the chef, who serves a range of dishes that are personal to them.

I recently had my first omakase experience at Auradaze, a small Japanese deli/restaurant combination in Ambleside in the Lake District. The definition of a hidden gem, Auradaze was a truly unforgettable experience that brought together humble beginnings, fine dining, great stories and good company under one roof. Continue reading “The Definition Of A Hidden Gem: Experience Some Of The Best Japanese Food In The World At Auradaze” →

Japanese Cuisine