Japan Eats!

Our guest is Katsushi Sakai who is the Sushi Head Chef at Kyo Ya, the iconic Japanese restaurant in East Village, Manhattan. Sushi began to draw attention around 1960s in the US and its popularity has seen exponential growth since 1980s. Who would have imagined 50 years ago that many Americans would eat raw fish on a daily basis?Katsushi came to New York in 2004 after working in Ginza, Tokyo, which is the capital of greatest sushi restaurants. In New York, he built his career from Assistant to Head Chef to Head Chef himself at the legendary Sushiden in NY. He also worked at Sushi Ginza Onodera and Sushi Nakazawa, two of the most reputable sushi restaurants in NYC before he joined Kyo Ya. Katsushi is one of the talented chefs who have been supporting the popularity of sushi in NYC. Today, we will discuss how he built his career as sushi chef, his philosophy of sushi making after 22 years of experience in Japan and New York City in total, how he balances sustainability and highest quality of fish and much, much

Our guest is Erik Ramirez, who is the chef and owner of the modern Peruvian restaurant Llama Inn, the casual Peruvian spot Llamita and the modern Nikkei Peruvian restaurant Llama San.  Peruvian cuisine is a hot genre in the culinary world right now.  As you may know, there are Peruvian citizens of Japanese ancestry called Nikkei who has influenced Peruvian cuisine over the last century.  And Erik is a Nikkei descent.Nikkei cuisine is getting attention globally too.  For example, Ferran and Alberto Adria brothers of El Bulli opened the Nikkei restaurant Pakta in Barcelona in 2013, and Maido in Lima, Peru is currently ranked #10 in the 50 World Best Restaurant list.  In New York, Erik is a big ambassador of Peruvian and Peruvian Nikkei cuisine.  In this episode, we will discuss Erik’s unique family background, his passion for Peruvian culture, what Nikkei cuisine is, how he expresses the uniqueness of Peruvian food on his plates, and much much more!Photo Courtesy of Paul BarberaJapan Eats is powered by Simpleca

Our guest is Jon Klip. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and after working at reputable Japanese restaurants in New York, he went to Japan and worked at one of the greatest kaiseki restaurants Arashiyama Kumahiko in Kyoto for 2 years until September 2019. Working in a Japanese kitchen is not easy for many reasons from language and cultural barriers to visa issues. But Jon conquered all those challenges and had precious culinary and life experiences in Kyoto. In this episode, we will find out how Jon discovered the charm of Japanese cuisine, how he landed in the unique job at a traditional kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto, what he has learned there, and much, much more!!!Japan Eats! is powered by Simplecast.  

Our first guest of 2020 is Elizabeth Andoh, who has joined us seven times on Episodes 18, 61, 83, 99, 108, 131, 156 and shared her deep insight into traditional Japanese food culture. Elizabeth is a food writer and Japanese cooking instructor based in Tokyo, and she has lived in Japan for over 50 years. She runs the culinary arts program called A Taste of Culture, which offers a great opportunity for non-Japanese people to explore Japanese culture through its food. Elizabeth is also the author of 6 cookbooks, including the award-winning “Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Kitchen”, “Kibo: Recipes and Stories from Japan's Tohoku” and “Kansha: Celebrating Japan's Vegan and Vegetarian Traditions”In this episode, we will discuss Japanese kitchen tools. Many unique kitchen utensils have been invented in the long culinary history of Japan. Elizabeth will introduce us to various kitchen tools and gadgets that make your time in the kitchen more fun and efficient even if you cook only non-Japanese dishes!!!Japan Eats!

Our guest is Sonoko Sakai who is a cooking teacher, noodle maker, food writer and grain activist based in Los Angeles and Tehachapi in Southern California. Sonoko just published “Japanese Home Cooking – simple meals, authentic flavors”. It covers everything you would like to know about the basics of Japanese food with tips and personal stories on each page. In this episode, we will discuss how Sonoko’ unique global upbringing inspired her to build her career in food, her passion for preserving ancient grains, her new book, and much, much more!The holiday season is all about food and community. There’s no better time to show your support for food radio by becoming a member! Lend your voice and help HRN continue to spreading the message of equitable, sustainable, and delicious food – together, we can change minds and build a better food system. Go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate today to become a crucial part of the HRN community.Image courtesy of Ben Hunter.Japan Eats! is powered by Simplecast.  

Our guests are Haru Zenda of Masa, a famed sushi restaurant with three Michelin stars, and Andy May who works at The Polynesian, the cool tiki bar operated by the Major Food Group of Carbone, ZZ’s Clam Bar, Dirty French and other popular spots.  Haru and Andy are the two winners of the Shochu cocktail competition “Spirited Away” held in May.  The winners’ prize was a trip to Kyushu, the southern part of Japan and the home of shochu production.  In this episode, we discuss what they discovered in Kyushu, why shochu is a great ingredient for mixologists, how to make a great glass of shochu and much, much more!!!The holiday season is all about food and community. There’s no better time to show your support for food radio by becoming a member! Lend your voice and help HRN continue to spreading the message of equitable, sustainable, and delicious food – together, we can change minds and build a better food system. Go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate today to become a crucial part of the HRN community.Japan Eats

Our guest is Alyssa Mikiko DiPasquale. She is the Director of Communications at Cushman Concepts, which operates multiple successful restaurants including Oya in Boston and New York. The owner Tim Cushman joined us on the show on Episode 10 and talked about his culinary philosophy and the flagship restaurant Oya. Alyssa first joined Oya in Boston as a host and has built her career successfully since then in the challenging restaurant business. Also, she was recognized as an Eater Young Guns in 2013 for her role of effectively leading the sake program at Oya. In this episode, we will discuss how Alyssa developed her career in the restaurant industry, the very unique sake programs that she offers, her eye-opening encounter with Japanese-style hospitality and much, much more!Image courtesy of Ally SchmalingJapan Eats! is powered by Simplecast.  

Our guests are Brandon Doughan and Brian Polen, co-owners of Brooklyn Kura. It is the first sake brewery in New York, which opened at the Industry City in Brooklyn in 2017. They joined us on Episode 105, and discussed why and how created the sake brewery in NY and their sake-making philosophy. Since then, Brooklyn Kura is growing steadily and successfully. You may have seen their sake labels at Japanese restaurants and your local retailers. In this episode, we talk about their distinctively unique sake available at the tap room, new sake production methods that they are exploring right now, a fascinating collaboration with a traditional Japanese sake brewery, and much, much more!!!Japan Eats! is powered by Simplecast.  

Our guest is Tetsuya Nick Sakagami, a fish expert based in Los Angeles. Nick joined me on Episode 70 and discussed the Kindai tuna, a unique experiment of farmed Bluefin tuna by the Kinki University in Japan. Nick works as an international business advisor to the university, import sustainable tuna from Tahiti, educate American chefs about fish among other things. Also, he recently published a book called “Sushi Master – an expert guide to sourcing, making, and enjoying sushi at home”.Japan Eats! is powered by Simplecast.  

Our guests are Joshua Foulquier, co-owner of Sushi Noz, and Joshua Copeland, beverage director and general manager. Sushi Noz is an authentic ８-seat sushi restaurant in Upper East Side with a Michelin star. Joshua Copeland has extensive experience at highly reputable western and Japanese restaurants, including Del Posto and Brushstroke by David Bouley. He has built an impressive beverage list at Sushi Noz, which includes 165 sake, 18 shochu, 385 wine and 22 Japanese teas, to pair with sushi. In this episode, we discuss how Josh gained his knowledge of a vast variety of beverages, what to drink with sushi beyond Japanese sake, and much, much more!!!Join Heritage Radio Network on Monday, November 11th, for a raucous feast to toast a decade of food radio. Our tenth anniversary bacchanal is a rare gathering of your favorite chefs, mixologists, storytellers, thought leaders, and culinary masterminds. We’ll salute the inductees of the newly minted HRN Hall of Fame, who embody our mission to further equity, sustaina

Our guest is Shuzo Nishiyama, the 6th generation president of Nishiyama Shuzojo in Tamba, Hyogo Prefecture. After working at a major TV production company in Tokyo, Shuzo returned to succeed his family business. Now the 170-year old award-winning sake brewery is known for its innovative culture. In this episode, Shuzo will discuss his various efforts to revive the male-dominant conservative sake industry, e.g. why the majority of his brewery workers are female, why he has hired multiple foreigners as the brewmaster's assistants, and much, much more!!! Japan Eats is powered by Simplecast.  

Our guest is Arisa Forbes, a specialty cake designer and cookbook author based in NYC. Cakes are often the highlight of important events, including weddings, birthdays and other celebrations, and designing specialty cakes can be as challenging as designing a dress or making a sculpture. Arisa was born and raised in Japan but her passion and hard work led her to build a career here in NY. Today, we will discuss how Arisa chose to become a cake designer, the challenges she has faced to establish her career, her design philosophy and much, much more!!!Japan Eats is powered by Simplecast.

Our guest is Amy Watanabe, executive chef at Sake Bar Satsuko in East Village, Manhattan.  Sake Bar Satsuko is a unique Japanese restaurant originally opened by her mother Satsuko Watanabe in 2004.    In this episode, Amy discusses the charm of Sake Bar Satsuko, her life as the chef at the restaurant, challenges she faces in succeeding the legacy of her mother, and much, much more!!!Japan Eats is powered by Simplecast.

Our guests are Kirsten and Christopher Shockey. They are the co-founders of Ferment Works where they educate people about fermented foods. They are also the co-author of multiple books about fermentation, including “Miso, Tempeh, Natto & Other Tasty Ferments: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fermenting Grains and Beans", which came out in June 2019. Fermented foods are gaining global attention lately for their amazing flavors and health benefits, but Kirsten and Christopher already have 20 years of experience in the field. In this episode, we will discuss how they got into fermentation, why fermented foods are so good for you, what fermented foods you can make in your own kitchen and much, much more!Japan Eats is powered by Simplecast.

Our guest is Stephen Lyman who is known as a leading shochu expert. He joined us on Episode 23 and talked about shochu extensively. He moved to Japan in 2018 and now lives in the mecca of shochu Fukuoka Prefecture in Japan. Stephen recently published an intriguing book titled “The Complete Guide to Japanese Drinks”. Also, he now has a cool shochu bar in Fukuoka. In this episode, we will discuss his new life in Japan, his exciting new book, Japanese drinking culture that he deeply observes as a resident of Japan, and much, much more! Japan Eats is powered by Simplecast.

Our guest is Sylvain Huet who is one of the few Japanese sake experts in France. He is also the first French Sake Samurai, which is appointed by The Japan Sake Brewers Association Junior Council. Sylvain is also the organizer of on of the biggest sake events in the world Salon du Sake held annually in Paris. In this episode, we will discuss Sylvain’s unique path to the world of sake, what sake French people drink in the kingdom of wine, the upcoming Salon du Sake and much, much more! Japan Eats is powered by Simplecast.

Our guest is James Kumm, the owner of Landmark Wine and Spirits in Chelsea, Manhattan. At the back of the store is a special section Minoru's Sake Shop that features regional sake. He is recognized as one of the professionals who effectively promote the preciousness of Japanese sake by the Consulate General of Japan. Today, we will discuss James’ unique analysis of Japanese sake market as a retailer, the latest trend of popular sake, how to pick a bottle of sake at a retail shop, and much, much more! Japan Eats is powered by Simplecast.

Our my guest is Gaston Becherano who is the co-founder & CEO at Bonsai Kakigōri, which opened in April this year2019. Kakigori is a traditional Japanese icy dessert. It is similar to snow cones but is distinctively different. And it is a very nostalgic and culturally important food for the Japanese. In this episode, we will discuss how Gaston got into the world of kakigori, why it is a great tool to understand the essence of Japanese culture, what unique items are on the menu at Bonsai Kakigori, and much, much more! It's HRN's annual summer fund drive, this is when we turn to our listeners and ask that you make a donation to help ensure a bright future for food radio. Help us keep broadcasting the most thought provoking, entertaining, and educational conversations happening in the world of food and beverage. Become a member today! To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we have brand new member gifts available. So snag your favorite new pizza - themed tee shirt or enamel pin today and show the world how muc

Our guest is Erina Yoshida of Yoshida Restaurant Group in New York. Erina’s father, Tony Yoshida is a quintessential figure when you talk about Japanese food culture in New York. He owns and operates multiple food establishments, including the legendary Sunrise Mart and Angel’s Share. And Erina is supporting him as the COO of the company. In this episode, we discuss how Erina’s father started the business, the unique concepts of the brands that they operate, Erina’s upbringing as a Japanese American, their new project Japan Village in Industry City, and and much, much more! It's HRN's annual summer fund drive, this is when we turn to our listeners and ask that you make a donation to help ensure a bright future for food radio. Help us keep broadcasting the most thought provoking, entertaining, and educational conversations happening in the world of food and beverage. Become a member today! To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we have brand new member gifts available. So snag your favorite new pizza - themed t

Our guest today is Austin Power who has been in the sake industry for the last 15 years as sake sommelier and kikizakeshi. Austin currently works at Tokyo Record Bar in Greenwich Village, Niche Niche and Special Club both in SOHO, all super-popular spots in New York City. He also have a 10 year experience as sake sommelier at Sake Bar Satsuko in the East Village. (And he is also a talented artist and graduate of Parsons School of Design.) In this episode, we will discover how Austin got into sake, how he convinces people to try sake, his fun sake-pairing dinner party, and much, much more! It's HRN's annual summer fund drive, this is when we turn to our listeners and ask that you make a donation to help ensure a bright future for food radio. Help us keep broadcasting the most thought provoking, entertaining, and educational conversations happening in the world of food and beverage. Become a member today! To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we have brand new member gifts available. So snag your favorite new p