Tanmen Potato Soup

I fell in love with Tanmen soup after watching Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories on Netflix. It looked like the perfect comfort soup that I had to try. My version of Tanmen is made with potatoes and it’s a perfect complement to a soup that is traditionally made with noodles. I grew up in a potato loving town…

Octopus Carpaccio Natto Bowl

My home is being remodeled and I’ve been itching to make something but haven’t been able to. My work around for this involved creating a simple but tasty octopus carpaccio mixed with natto and raw egg. I love natto! I bummed over to the asian grocery store in downtown LA and lucky for me there…

Izakaya Gazen – Little Tokyo

Located on a corner in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, this Japanese izakaya offers a unique selection of Japanese lunches and dinners that go beyond your standard teriyaki flare. My go to dish is always their Matsuri Natto. They import their natto from Japan and their tofu is made in house. It’s just really good, filling,…

Yuzu Salmon

The grocery near my home always has fresh Atlantic salmon so it was perfect opportunity to make Yuzu Salmon. I picked some up and went to the farmers market to get some fresh veggies for tonights dinner. This recipe is super easy and healthy. The hint of yuzu marmalade on the salmon adds just a touch…

The Springs – Arts District

The Springs in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles is both restaurant and wellness center. The restaurant serves ups vegetarian delights for lunch and dinner like the paella in the image above. One of my lunch time favorites being their nacho salad. If you’re looking for something a little lighter their tomato watermelon gazpacho…

Dongchimi Guksu

Dongchimi Guksu is a perfect summer soup. It’s an ice-cold soup that will help cool you down and give you happy feelings all at the same time 🙂You make this by using Water Kimchi (dongchimi) mixed with water and noodles and that’s basically it! You can add any veggies you like. I like mine spicy…

Seafood Donabe

Seafood Nabe is simple and delicious. You can use any seafood you like. I had some extra mushrooms and various veggies left over that I missed with large scallop, mussels, and fish cake. Getting my ingredients ready. I was going to add spam but didn’t have enough room. Place everything on a plate and start…

Baked Matsutake Mushrooms

When in season the Japanese grocery near my house has fresh matsutake mushrooms! It’s a real treat and they have a wonderful deep nutty flavor. I baked this guy in the oven with some butter, salt, and pepper, that’s all you need. They work great in soups, too.

Garlic Chives & Aburaage Donabe

Garlic chives are delicious, my first time trying them. A pork and beef nabe with taro, carrots, fried tofu and mushrooms in a beef stock and sake broth.