Torched Wagyu Donburi (with Yuzu Sansho Sukiyaki sauce and Quail Egg)

Torched Wagyu Donburi (with Yuzu Sansho Sukiyaki sauce and Quail Egg)

My sister bought 12lbs of A5 Wagyu for a pretty and decadent penny and then gave me a hunk of it after we had a barbecue. This level of marbling in the wagyu makes it a slightly difficult ingredient to work with–heat it for too 

Jiu Cai He Zi/Garlic Chive Pan Fried Pockets

Jiu Cai He Zi/Garlic Chive Pan Fried Pockets

It’s spring and one of the first things to pop up in my garden is garlic chives—different than onion chives, the leaves are flat and the flavor similar to ramps but less intense. It’s a popular Asian vegetable and dead easy to grow. With my 

Spicy Steak Tartare Handrolls

Spicy Steak Tartare Handrolls

It’s no secret my kids are fiends for sushi so I often make handrolls at home for them—usually avocado and smoked salmon or some California since they keep well. They also love steak tartare so I always have some nice sirloin or skirt in the 

Sesame Soy Dressed Young Mugwort Greens

Sesame Soy Dressed Young Mugwort Greens

Mugwort—just the name drives gardeners into a fearful frenzy because of how insanely invasive it is. From just a small root grows a dense, waist high perennial that covers the ground in a span of a season. It’s difficult to get rid of once established, 

Quail Karaage and Taiyaki (Chicken and Waffles!)

Quail Karaage and Taiyaki (Chicken and Waffles!)

Disclaimer: The following post contains accounts of raising and processing poultry for food. If that makes you uncomfortable, please navigate away from this page! We had a quail processing day (guide to raising quail) which is always a somewhat somber and work heavy day. A 

Vegetable and Oyster Nanbanzuke

Vegetable and Oyster Nanbanzuke

Yes yes, this dish is normally done with chicken or fish, but I’ve been experimenting with vegetables and seafood to delicious success. Nanbanzuke is the Japanese version of escabeche, a Spanish and Portuguese dish of cooked fish marinated in a spiced vinegar sauce which was 

Potato Korokke (Japanese Croquette)

Potato Korokke (Japanese Croquette)

My kids love potatoes in most, if not all forms—so warm, crispy Japanese potato croquettes disappear quickly in this house. It’s pretty easy to make with a rice cooker that can steam the potatoes, and also easy to jazz up by mixing in different things: 

2022 Year of the Tiger Wagyu Tartare Quilt Bento

2022 Year of the Tiger Wagyu Tartare Quilt Bento

Well that’s a mouthful… quite literally! Today is Chinese New Years Eve and since my parents and sister are in Costa Rica, I won’t have as much to do (nor as much to eat)—so I decided to treat us and make a quilt bento. I 

Dried Winter Persimmons

Dried Winter Persimmons

Persimmons are a fun fruit to grow, the trees get pretty big and loaded with bright orange fruits and remain productive for decades. In the Fall when they drop their leaves, the fruits stay on, looking like bizarre Christmas ornaments against the bare branches. There’s 

Ganjang (Soy Sauce Marinated) Lobster

Ganjang (Soy Sauce Marinated) Lobster

Obligatory disclaimer that there is a risk of eating food raw, especially seafood. Proceed at your own risk. Also included is the disclaimer for safely eating the tomalley (cooked or raw) of crustaceans, also proceed at your own risk. I have been craving ganjang gejang,