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Takoyaki (たこ焼き) is a Japanese snack in the shape of little round balls containing pieces of octopus. Tako-yaki literally translates to “octopus-grilled/fried” and some people may call it “Grilled Octopus Balls” or “Octopus Dumplings”. What is Takoyaki Here are some facts about takoyaki. It originated and became popular in Osaka around 1935 (according to wiki) and then spread to greater south-central Japan and beyond. It’s one of the most popular Japanese street foods along with Okonomiyaki....

One of the most popular destinations in the Toyama area is the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (立山黒部アルペンルート) in the Northern Japan Alps. To catch up on the first part of our week-long trip, start by reading our Kanazawa post first. What’s so cool about this route? Well, even though Murodo (室堂) stands at a relatively modest elevation of 2,450 meters (8,038 feet) as the highest point accessible by a vehicle along this path, the region experiences some of the heaviest snowfall in the world!...

Tokyo is a city with endless wonders. It’s filled with edgy buildings, interesting stores, and plenty of fun activities to discover. One of the most unique experiences in Japan is teamLab’s immersive exhibits. We’ve previously visited teamLab Borderless and our entire family had so much fun exploring the dark unknown. We couldn’t wait to go to teamLab Planets during our visit to Japan in Dec 2022. The Planets exhibit is currently extended until the end of 2023....

And yes, I actually dreamt the right combination of ingredients and flavours! Now as you all may know I am not spice shy. I like cinnamon and have used it in bakes before like this Walnut Crumb Cake. The thing with Apples is that while cinnamon pairs well it can sometimes over power. What I really wanted was to be able to taste the apple itself. To balance the flavours a little this recipe uses half a teaspoon of cinnamon and then something a little different....

We visit Hakone each year when we go to Japan. It’s a short drive or train ride from the Tokyo area and a great way to escape the hectic modern life. The main perks of visiting the area is the ryokan stay, exquisite kaiseki meals, and of course the relaxing hot springs. Besides relaxing your body and soul. the cool part about Hakone is that there are many things to do....

What are superfoods? According to the Oxford Dictionary, ‘superfood’ is defined as “a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being.” While it may be a 21th-century buzzword coined by the food industry, the concept of superfoods has long existed in the Japanese culture. They are the naturally perfect foods valued for their health-supporting vitamins, nutrients, and minerals essential to the well-being of your body. If you enjoy Japanese cuisine, it’s worth including these superfoods in your diet regularly and in a moderate amount....

What do the Japanese eat for breakfast? My answer is always this: The Japanese, like most people, eat a great variety of things for breakfast. But when comes to traditional Japanese breakfast, it is a whole different level of experience. At the table, you’ll find a spread of steamed rice, miso soup, a protein, pickles, and several side dishes. It is the typical breakfast that my parents, along with many Japanese of their generations, grew up with and still eat almost every morning....

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H. I know. You’re completely SHOCKED by this. This year I grew a big variety of about 25 different peppers, one of which is the always awesome Cubanelle pepper....

Growing up in Japan, I would devour anything that comes with mochi. When I say mochi, it usually means the plain rice cake and not the dessert “mochi” known outside of Japan (we call the sweet version “daifuku” or “daifuku mochi”). One of the dishes that I always got excited about was Chikara Udon (力うどん), which is simply Udon Noodle Soup with Mochi on top. I know, it’s really simple, but to me, the addition of mochi is equivalent to the fluffy whipped cream on top of your favorite pie or cake....

The Cinnamon is nice and strong, but not to the point where it gets that anti septic taste, the cardamom is optional but it adds that lovely roundness to the filling in the same way it does in my Apple Snack Cake. The Cream Cheese Frosting is the PERFECT amount for covering the rolls and having some left for that little extra on each roll. Nothing worse than an under frosted roll am I right?...

Aside from foods, movies are often one of the best gateways to have a closer look at one culture. If you are familiar with foreign films, you would probably agree that Japanese cinema is one of its kind. From food-theme movies, to classic movies to cult-following anime, each genre is an art form itself. They are compelling, daring, imaginative and distinctive in style. Today at JOC, we’re excited to share a selection of our favorite Japanese movies that will take you a deeper look into the country’s history, culture and values....

A trendy flavor at the forefront of the culinary scene, matcha (抹茶), or green tea powder, has taken the world by storm in recent years. Trendy or not, matcha is a long-standing staple in Japan that never goes out of style. Its unmistakable green hue, intense earthy flavor, and versatility make matcha an exceptional ingredient. Available in both ceremonial and culinary grades, it can be enjoyed as a tea or used as a flavorful addition in baking and cooking....

With a distinctive juxtaposition of ancient traditions and groundbreaking technology, Japan has always been an alluring destination for visitors. With stunning natural landscapes, a world-class food scene, trendy fashion, one-of-a-kind shopping, and electrifying pop culture, there is a reason for everyone to experience Japan at least once in their lifetime. Ready to go? Just one more thing to keep in mind – Japanese etiquette and customs. That distinctly Japanese way of life that is part intimidating for first-time visitors, and part “I’m definitely not at home and this so exciting!...

I’ll be honest that I’m one to shy away from the latest kitchen craze for good reasons. When I received my Instant Pot Duo60 6 Qt for free from the company back in 2014, I had my hesitation and skepticism, especially its uses for Japanese cooking. Since I was curious enough, I gave the machine a few tests, and it turned out to exceed my expectations in so many ways....

Oshogatu (Japanese New Year) is the biggest celebration in Japan, and even everyday food like Kamaboko gets a total make-over for this happy occasion! Today I’ll show you how to make seven beautiful kamaboko decorations, from easy to slightly difficult. Each design has a special meaning that is appropriately auspicious for the New Year. What is Kamaboko? Kamaboko (かまぼこ or 蒲鉾) is a Japanese fish cake, a type of cured surimi....

By the way you know something has turned out well when half way into your write up about it you find yourself getting hungry and take a break to eat some more! Potato Curry or Aalu ki Qatlian Shorbay Wali Serves 3-4 3 cups sliced potatoes – 2 large Vegetable Oil – enough to coat the bottom of the pan 1 small onion diced ½ tsp cumin seeds ¼ tsp mustard seeds ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds ½ tsp kalonji or nigella seeds 1 tsp ginger paste 1 tsp garlic paste 1 tsp red chilli powder 1 tsp coriander powder (optional) ¼ tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp salt 1 medium tomato finely chopped 2 tbsp chopped cilantro for garnish 2 finely sliced green chillies ¼ tsp garam masala powder Lemon Juice (optional) Slice the potatoes nice and thin (see below) and put them aside....

Some of the feedback and requests I received from the readers are for more quick and easy recipes. The other day I made this pork chop after my children’s afternoon swim lesson, the busiest day of the week for me. Because of my mom’s visit, I haven’t had the chance to do my regular grocery runs so my fridge was pretty empty. I quickly ran to get some pork chops, spinach, and other ingredients from the market on the way home and I made this dish in less than one hour including marinade time....

Crockpot chiicken Corn Chowder I looove creamy, comforting soups from my Slow Cooker Potato Soup, New England Clam Chowder, Chicken Gnocchi Soup, Broccoli Cheese Soup, Crock Pot Creamy White Chicken Chili and now I’m excited to add this Chicken Corn Chowder to the mix! As I mentioned back in my 4th post ever, my, beloved Skinny Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta (a MUST!), I grew up on baked potatoes piled high with cheese, broccoli, and drizzled with ranch and sprinkled with bacon....

Boom! Done! Are you ready for some delicious flounder? You’re going to fall in love with this dish. Delicious! Not this flounder recipe! Flounder is a mild white fish that has a touch of sweetness, though overall it’s quite delicate in flavor. By itself it probably won’t satisfy your cravings, but with a few simple seasonings and this amazing salsa criolla recipe, you’ll find yourself stopping at the store for flounder more often....

Maple Glazed Ham Recipe Christmas is NEXT WEEK! Can you believe it?! Although my parents will be in Europe (serving for our Church), my older brother from NY is coming to stay with me and my sister and her family just got back from 4 ½ months in Europe so it will be a fun family filled holiday! And just like Christmas is a time for family and to celebrate our Savior, to me, it also is a time for a Christmas feast....