The holiday season is here, and as we all know, things are a bit different this year from the previous years; we are staying at home, cooking more at home, have limited access to dining at our favorite restaurants, and spending more time in front of our screens. So below are some ideas for delivering Japanese food experiences while at the comfort of your home.
We wish you a wonderful holiday and hope to see you in person again soon.
Happy Cooking!
Note: we do not get commissions or sales from these recommendations. Just the things we love.
Japanese Bento Box $27-$35
Do you miss going out for Japanese food? Why not recreate a Japanese restaurant experience at home by placing different Japanese food in this lovely Bento box with multiple compartments. Even store-bought frozen dumplings and edamame will look at restaurant-quality.
Matcha Ceremonial Kit $79.95
Relax with a Bowl of Matcha
The tea ceremony in Japan has been associated with relaxation and rejuvenation for a long time so that anxious Shoguns often visit a temple and enjoy a bowl of tea carefully prepared by the tea master to de-stress before heading out to battle. So go ahead and enjoy a therapeutic bowl of matcha to destress, and you have the energy (caffeine) to tackle your afternoon.
Donabe (Japanese Clay Pot) $27.00-$120.00
One-Pot Comfort Food
Japanese people have mastered the art of enjoying the steaming hot pot as a one-pot comfort meal, especially during chilly winter months so why not try it at your home.
Before purchasing Donabe, consider two options:
- Smaller size pot for individual serving.
- The larger size pot so people can enjoy the food together, and what is better, get a portable cooking stove and cook food together on a dining table.
This particular Donabe below is what we used at our restaurant and stood up to wear and tear. You can cook rice, noodles, meat, and vegetables, and the possibilities are endless. Donabe can be cooked directly on your stovetop and bring it out to the table for the “Ooh, and Aahs.”
Here is a recipe for Kimchi Nabe from the blog to go with your new Donabe.
Bokksu Subscription Box (price varies)
If you have friends or families who are missing Japan, this is the gift to get. This monthly food subscription includes authentic Japanese snacks in a box delivered to your door. I am adding this to my Christmas wish list!
Hangiri & Sushi Mat $54.00
If you have not mastered the art of making sushi yet, now is the time. Give this gift to someone (or yourself) and sign up for our free virtual sushi class in January 2021. Check the details on the Seward Co-op website.
Note: Prefer Hangiri size 13 or 15 inches in diameter.
Elva Pottery
Support Local Artists
The artist duo at Elva Pottery in St. Paul, MN, has supplied our food blog with their Japanese-influenced dishes. Their warm earthen toned ceramics is guaranteed to transform your culinary skills to the next level. We particularly enjoy their large serving plates and teacups.
Book recommendations from our recent reads
Donabe, Japanese Clay Pot Cooking
by Naoko Takei Moore and Kyle Connaughton
Consider getting this book to go along with Donabe. This book is a beautiful collaboration between Naoko Takei Moore, the owner of Toiro Japanese kitchen store, and Kyle Connaughton, a chef in California.
Japanese Home Cooking
by Sonoko Sakai
Recently featured in New York Times for one of the inspirational women. Her book is artistic, beautiful, and best of all filled with delicious recipes.
The Gaijin Cook Book
by Ivan Orkin and Chris Ying
Internationally acclaimed chef and long-time resident of Japan, Ivan Orkin shares his food experiences with you.
