

Japan Eats!
Heritage Radio Network
What is Japanese food? Sushi, or ramen, or kaiseki? What about Izakaya? Akiko Katayama, a Japanese native, New York-based food writer and director of the New York Japanese Culinary Academy, tells you all about real Japanese food and food culture. With guests ranging from sake producers with generations of experience to American chefs pushing the envelope of Japanese gastronomy, Japanese cuisine is demystified here!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 1, 2019 • 52min
Episode 171: The Story of Sake Bar Satsuko
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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 23, 2019 • 1h
Episode 170: Miso, Natto, Tsukemono: Japanese Fermented Foods
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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 16, 2019 • 54min
Episode 169: Complete Guide to Japanese Drinks
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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 9, 2019 • 55min
Episode 168: Salon du Sake
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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 5, 2019 • 57min
Episode 167: Supporting Japanese Regional Culture Through Sake And Shochu
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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 29, 2019 • 48min
Episode 166: What Is Kakigori?
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 much you love HRN, just go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate
Japan Eats is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 22, 2019 • 51min
Episode 165: Succeeding the Legend
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 tee shirt or enamel pin today and show the world how much you love HRN, just go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate
Japan Eats! is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 15, 2019 • 54min
Episode 164: Sharing the Joy of Sake in Style
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 pizza - themed tee shirt or enamel pin today and show the world how much you love HRN, just go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate
Japan Eats! is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 8, 2019 • 57min
Episode 163: Born to Preserve the Koji Culture
Our guest today is Koichi Higuchi of Higuchi Matsunosuke Shoten in Osaka, Japan. His business is to provide koji starters to manufacturers of traditional fermented foods in Japan, such as miso, soy sauce, sake ... you name it!
Indeed, koji, the beneficial mold, is a quintessential element of Japanese food culture. Koji is also becoming a buzz word in the global culinary industry. For example, René Redzepi of Noma, the renowned restaurant in Denmark, included koji in his recent book "The Noma Guide to Fermentation".
In this episode, Koichi will discuss his 6th generation-old family business, what koji is, how to use it, 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 much you love HRN, just go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate
Japan Eats is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 1, 2019 • 1h 1min
Episode 162: Connecting Communities through Japanese Food Culture
Our guest is Justin Potts who has lived in Japan for the last 15 years, working on various projects to connect different communities from rural to global, with the power of Japanese traditional food culture. And he is also a kurabito at a sake brewery and the co-host of sake and shochu specialized podcast Sake On Air.
In this episode, we will discuss how Justin got involved in Japanese culture, his fascinating activities to promote Japanese food culture and empower communities, his podcast, his job at the brewery 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 much you love HRN, just go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate
Japan Eats is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


