I first made tantanmen ramen on a cold evening when I wanted something spicy satisfying and soul-warming and the moment I tasted the rich sesame broth with the chili oil and seasoned pork I knew it was exactly what I needed. It reminded me of a ramen shop I visited in Yokohama where each slurp … Read more
Japanese clear soup became a comforting go-to for me after a long weekend of rich foods when I craved something light and cleansing and I remember making it for the first time with just a few ingredients and being amazed by how deeply flavorful it turned out despite its simplicity and clarity. Now I make … Read more
Potsticker soup brings back the memory of a chilly evening when I wanted something that felt both comforting and exciting and I remember standing in my kitchen craving dumplings but also needing something warm and brothy and I had a leftover batch of frozen potstickers and some fresh vegetables on hand and that’s how this … Read more
Gyudon takes me right back to a small train station café I visited during my first trip to Japan and I remember being tired cold and unsure of what to order when the smell of savory simmered beef drew me in and within minutes a steaming bowl of rice topped with tender onions and beef … Read more
Vegetable tortilla roll ups remind me of the first time I had them at a picnic where everyone was asked to bring finger foods. I took one bite of these colorful, creamy, and crunchy bites, and I was hooked on how fresh and easy they were to eat. Ever since, I’ve been making them for … Read more
Crispy chicken taquitos remind me of the first time I tried them at a street food market where the smell of fried tortillas filled the air. The crunchy bite with tender chicken inside had me hooked instantly, and I knew I needed to recreate them at home. Now, they’re one of my favorite quick snacks … Read more