Illustrations: Kaki Okumura A friendly introduction to adding Japanese sea vegetables into your diet I sometimes forget that not a lot of people were raised like me, eating sea vegetables. To some, the idea of using seaweed in food can seem intimidating, foreign, and frankly sometimes unappealing. I first made this realization when I was […]
Recipes
Hijiki Chilled Tofu: An easy Japanese vegetable side dish
A Refreshing Summer Vegetable Dish Something my grandmother loves to do is send lots of food. Her most recent gift was silky tofu, and much in line with her personality, she sent over a whole box with over 50 packs. Inspired by her gesture, I’ve been thinking of ways to enjoy tofu that is more […]
Three Healthy and Easy Japanese Dishes You Can Make at Home
How to Make a Full Ichiju-sansai Meal in Less than 30 Minutes Ichiju-sansai is a term used to describe the way traditional Japanese meals are constructed. It literally translates to “one soup, three sides” (or 「一汁三菜」) and is one of the main principles guiding Japanese healthy eating and nutrition. This style of eating allows for […]
How To Make A Healthier Version of Your Favorite Sweet Asian Sauces
Finessing The Foundation to Japanese Seasoning I was making dinner that night, and so I went into the living room to ask my roommate if she wanted me to make enough for her as well. I was thinking teriyaki salmon, with a side of steamed vegetables, rice, and maybe some miso soup. I hadn’t been […]
Easy Japanese Home Cooking for Busy and Tired People
The One-pot That Feeds the Body and Spirit Healthy food is a lot of things, but one thing that I believe we don’t pay enough attention to is the spiritual element of it. Extreme diets, already-prepared delivery meal services, and snacks that tout themselves as healthy are not necessarily “bad” for us, but over time they are […]
The Fermented Topping You Should Try: Why I Began Adding Katsuo Flakes To My Rice
Last week I wrote on the role of stomach acid, and why it’s so important to our digestive health— without proper stomach acid levels, we put ourselves at risk of chronic digestive diseases, as well as exacerbating depressive and anxiety symptoms. (*if you haven’t read it, and you’re curious to learn more read about it […]
Surprising Benefits of Cooking Tomatoes (The Lycopene Secret) + Stovetop Shakshuka Recipe
Did you know that consuming tomatoes cooked is in fact healthier than eating them raw? Here’s why: Cooking tomatoes increases the bioavailability of lycopene, a bright red carotenoid, which is a powerful antioxidant. Lycopene is what gives tomatoes, watermelon and papaya their bright red color. Lycopene can help to prevent cancer growth, and supports your […]
Easy, Delicious, and Healthy: My Summer Vegetable Japanese Curry 🍅🍠🌽
Curry Is One of the Best Easy Meals, Hands-Down I mean, you’ve probably had curry before, but a healthy, spicy, nutritious, and filling summer vegetable Japanese curry? It’s one of my favorite go-to meals. There are multiple ways to enjoy curry, but in general, curry is a combination of spices and herbs that frequently includes […]
Lotus root? What is it, why should I incorporate in my diet, and how do I eat it? (+delicious recipe!)
Lotus Root? Lotus root is the bottom, edible part of the lotus plant. It’s crunchy and mild-flavored, resembling the flavor and texture of a raw potato. For centuries, lotus root has been used in East Asian cuisines, particularly in Japanese and Chinese cultures. It can be deep-fried, stir-fried, braised, or steamed. It is also commonly […]
Making kabocha pumpkin soup (5-ingredient easy recipe!)
Health benefits of kabocha My mom asked me to buy a kabocha pumpkin from the supermarket one day, but then later texted me that she didn’t need it, but I had already gotten it anyways. We ended up with two kabocha pumpkins, so I took this opportunity to look up a recipe that would use […]
