Deep in a dark warehouse the sake sleeps, stored in rows of giant tanks, each holding more than 10,000 litres (2,640 gallons) of the Japanese rice wine that is the product of brewing techniques dating back more than 1,000 years. Junichiro Ozawa, the 18th-generation head of Ozawa Brewery, founded in 1702, hopes sake brewing will … Read more
A beloved kitchen staple and popular condiment has been causing a buzz due to a series of short videos revealing its production process. Soy sauce, with its deep umami richness and ability to enhance flavours, is a versatile ingredient used in soups, marinades, sauces, stir-fries and more. Made from fermented soybeans, wheat, salt, and water, … Read more
Japan’s Niigata prefecture may be less than 90 minutes away from Tokyo via bullet train, but the area, known for producing Japan’s best koshihikari rice and sake, rarely appears on people’s radar as a food destination. This is slowly changing. Michelin released a special edition of its guide for Niigata in 2020. And in September … Read more
At a certain level of execution, sushi is very much an art of marginal differences: the precise angle to which one chef might hone the blade of his knife, or the particular way another vinegars his rice. These are variations that might be imperceptible to the casual sushi eater but which can send a connoisseur … Read more
KEY POINTS Tourism Expo Japan 2024 commenced on September 26. In August, rice prices hit 16,133 yen ($112.67) per 60kg, rising 3 per cent from the previous month and 5 per cent since the start of the year. Though Japan had an average harvest in 2023, its quality of rice was notably inferior. Japan, known … Read more
As we edge closer to the final quarter of the year, there seems to be an uptick in restaurant openings in Hong Kong despite dismal reports about the food and drink scene and some recent high-profile closures. We remain hopeful, with this month’s batch of openings including a high-profile Michelin-star Japanese sushi restaurant, the expansion … Read more
The drinks menu features Chinese wines from Ningxia and Shanxi. 2/F, 8 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central Leek ox tongue at Yakiniku Horumon Matchan. Photo: Yakiniku Horumon Matchan 2. Yakiniku Horumon Matchan At Yakiniku Horumon Matchan in Nara, Japan, a muscular man cooks and serves you food. The concept has opened its first restaurant outside Japan in … Read more
He has since opened Sushi Shin – one in Niseko and one in Tokyo – and now the sushi maestro is back in the Greater Bay Area to open his first restaurant outside Japan, at the new Raffles hotel in Galaxy Macau. A pristine piece of fatty tuna belly nigiri at Sushi Kissho. Photo: Sushi … Read more
At his eponymous sushi bar, Leung – taking a cue from sushi bars in Japan – has copies of Hong Kong Market Sea Fish by Keith Lai (a fish enthusiast and expert) to educate diners about the fish on his menu, which is sourced from local supplier Davey Wong. Nigiri might include threadfin, lightly torched … Read more
Two people have died and dozens of diners have been left in pain after eating undercooked mushrooms at a restaurant in the US. Customers at Dave’s Sushi in Montana reported symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain after their meal. The culprit is believed to be the exotic ‘Morels mushroom’, which, while safe to eat when cooked … Read more
