Ever tried a Japanese wine aged in “mizunara” oak? A small but growing number of wineries are maturing their wines in barrels made from native trees instead of using imported oak. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/02/06/food-drink/japanese-wine-aged-local-barrel-mizunara/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #alcohol #whisky #sake #fermentation
If you are still frying your eggs "over easy," you are cooking them wrong. Learn how the Japanese do it. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/02/03/food-drink/double-sesame-crusted-eggs-recipe/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #recipes #shoyu #vegetarian
The precise French cuisine executed by the young and talented chef Masashi Motooka is reason enough for you to head to Saitama for a gourmet jaunt — and get away from the crowds. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/01/30/food-drink/french-restaurant-kam-saitama/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #vegetables #meat #chefs #gardening #saitama
Don't judge a cookbook by its lack of images. Keita Wojciechowski's text-only tome, “Culinary Encyclopedia of Japan Vol. 2: Tools, Techniques, Traditions," is a fount of knowledge for anyone nerdy enough to read it. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/01/28/food-drink/culinary-encyclopedia-japan-book/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #chefs #japanesecuisine #recipes
Give your "konnyaku," a gelatinous food made from the corm of the konjac plant, a fun edge by twisting it into braids. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/01/23/food-drink/konnyaku-braids-setsubun/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #recipes #japanesecuisine #vegetables #setsubun
Known for their “warming” properties and perfect in an invigorating stew, root vegetables are your must-haves in your pantry as peak winter hits. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/01/21/food-drink/japanese-pot-au-feu-winter/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #recipes #japanesecuisine #meat #vegetables
Looking for a luxury cafe experience in Tokyo? Bacha Coffee, a Moroccan coffee brand headquartered in Singapore, has opened its first outlet in Ginza. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/01/16/food-drink/bacha-coffee-tokyo-ginza/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #coffee #drinking #cakes #desserts #cafes
Bar-hop — seamlessly — at Driftwood, Fairmont Tokyo’s trio of bars on its 43rd floor. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/01/13/food-drink/driftwood-bar-concept-fairmont-tokyo/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #drinking #alcohol #hotels #bars
Sake that pairs well with curry is possible, thanks to a growing breed of young sakemakers in Asia who are reinventing Japan’s national drink. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/01/09/food-drink/young-sakemakers-local-rice-asia/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink
Bump up the umami factor in your hot chocolate with soy sauce and milk. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/01/07/food-drink/soy-hot-chocolate/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #recipes #shoyu #chocolate
Feeling homesick this time of the year? Feed your nostalgia with the tastes of home. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/01/02/food-drink/new-year-different-cuisines-tokyo/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #meat #chefs #ethnicfood #rice #newyear
Looking for a cool bubbly to tote to your year-end party? Takashi Murakami has lent his floral motif to two limited-edition bottles from champagne producer Dom Perignon. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/12/27/food-drink/dom-perignon-murakami-collaboration/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #drinking #alcohol #wine
We take a look at the Tokyo restaurants that stole our hearts (and stomachs) — as well as those that left us — in 2025. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/12/26/food-drink/2025-review-tokyo-dining/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #chefs #japanesecuisine #sushi #fermentation #2025inreview
“Osechi ryōri” need not always be about preserved foods. Put together some ball-shaped beef sushi for a change. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/12/23/food-drink/beef-temarizushi-new-year/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #recipes #japanesecuisine #meat #vegetables
It's green and it's coming for Christmas. No, not the Grinch but matcha. Whip up a Japanese-inspired yuletide cake with the fragrant tea and some medicinal spices. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/12/16/food-drink/otoso-inspired-matcha-cake/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #recipes #sake #alcohol #tea #christmas #newyear
Make a beeline for chef Taizo Hirokado's hillside restaurant after you’ve taken a soak in one of the hot springs in Beppu. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/12/12/food-drink/beppu-hirokado-seafood-kyushu/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #chefs #japanesecuisine #fish #meat #kyushu
Emiko Davies’ latest cookbook, “The Japanese Pantry: From Sake to Soy, Essential Ingredients for Japanese Home Cooking,” is a showcase of homey dishes any Japanese grandma would be proud of. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/12/09/food-drink/emiko-davies-cookbook-japanese-pantry/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #chefs #recipes #japanesecuisine #shoyu #kombu
There are salts, and then there are Yuzen Inoue's salts that showcase the nuanced flavors of each season. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/12/05/food-drink/yamaguchi-salt-master-seasonal-flavors/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #chefs #japanesecuisine #salt #yamaguchiprefecture
Swap plain cabbage for flavorful chrysanthemum greens the next time you prep a savory pancake. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/12/02/food-drink/spring-chrysanthemums-recipe/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #recipes #japanesecuisine #meat #vegetables
Care to try some sheep brains? How about a serving of kidneys or hearts? Farm Restaurant Cuore in Hokkaido believes every part of the animal offers a range of gourmet possibilities. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/11/28/food-drink/farm-restaurant-cuore-hokkaido/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #fooddrink #chefs #meat #hokkaido