Uwajimaya Blog - Asian Food, Recipes, and More

On Our Tasty Autumn Friend the Mooncake

On Our Tasty Autumn Friend the Mooncake

September 22, 2020

Depending on what time of year you’re reading this, you might be feeling a bit melancholy about summer fading into the chillier fall months. We want to look on the bright side, though — this seasonal transition means we’re getting closer to the Mid-Autumn Festival season,...

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Guide to Japanese Appetizers

Guide to Japanese Appetizers

August 28, 2020

Love the snacks you encounter at Japanese restaurants, izakayas, or before sushi?  So do we. Luckily, you don’t have to wait for a night out (Remember how before COVID you could just… go to an enclosed establishment and eat in the proximity of others? Wild.), nor...

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Introduction to Shōchū (焼酎)

Introduction to Shōchū (焼酎)

August 25, 2020

Shōchū is a Japanese distilled spirit that has been gaining popularity in Japan and abroad. Shōchū drinks and cocktails are now a familiar item at many restaurants and bars; the shōchū chuhai perhaps the most well-known. Unlike vodka which uses malted grains to break down starches, shō...

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5 Ways To Use Matcha

5 Ways To Use Matcha

August 11, 2020

While matcha has become especially popular in the West since the turn of the century, it’s been beloved in Japan for centuries. If you’re unfamiliar, matcha is made from green tea leaves that are specially processed and then ground into a powder. Unlike normal tea that...

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Saké, Part 1: Introduction to Saké

Saké, Part 1: Introduction to Saké

July 21, 2020

Perhaps more than any other country, rice is at the heart of Japanese cuisine; think sushi, musubi rice balls, bento boxes, mochi, donburi rice bowls and curry rice. While it plays a central part in many foods, rice is also at the heart of one of the most well-known beverages...

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Beat the Heat with these Japanese Summertime Foods

Beat the Heat with these Japanese Summertime Foods

July 7, 2020

Summer in Japan can be hot, with temperatures in July and August often reaching above 90 degrees with lots of humidity. On sweltering days like these, here are 4 things to enjoy to beat the heat. Somen (そうめん): Somen are long, thin wheat noodles often served chilled. The noodles are typically enjoyed with...

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