Category: Food & Drink

A bowl of agar agar powder and agar cubes.

Agar Agar Snacks: Best Ones from Japan

Agar agar is a delightful ingredient derived from red algae. It’s versatile and flavorless jelly, lending its signature wobble and firm-yet-yielding texture.

Leaves from the ginkgo tree.

Ginkgo Tree: A Multipurpose Tree in Japan

Among Japan’s most iconic trees is the ginkgo tree, famed for its brilliant yellow-gold leaves that form radiant canopies, lining streets and parks in breathtaking golden splendor.

A plate of red bean paste covering ohagi.

Ohagi: The Beautiful Wagashi of the Equinox

Ohagi is a traditional Japanese sweet that chefs make from glutinous rice and sweetened red bean paste. This dessert reflects Japanese culture; people associate it with the spring and fall equinox.

Black Rice Mystery: Unveiling Kodaimai Senbei

Black rice has intrigued the culinary world for centuries with its rich history and striking appearance. This ancient grain is the star ingredient in a unique Japanese snack—kodaimai senbei.

A bowl of anmitsu featuring fruit, kanten jelly and anko.

Anmitsu: The Fantastic Story Behind this Dessert!

Anmitsu is a delightful treat made of sweet and chewy components. It has been a favorite in Japan for generations. But what exactly is this desert, and why has it captured the hearts of so many?