Tag Archives: Japanese Cuisine

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, Fujieda City, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Okabe, Photography, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Hatsukame Brewery-Goku Ginjo Hyogetsu

January 11, 2014 dragonlife 4 Comments

Hyogetsu is brand by Hatsukame Brwery in Okabe, Fujieda City, which have been known practically all over the world from the day its bottle recived the Best Bottle Design Award!

Even the case is a beauty!

Great stopper!

Rice: Yamada Nishiki (Hyogo Preefcture9
Rice milled down to 50%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: + 3.0
Acidity: 1.35
Yeast: 1801 KA-1
Bottled in September 2012

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Elegant. Pears, nashi
Body: Fluid
Taste: Well-rounded attack backed by a discreet junmai petillant
Dry and fruity. Pears, bananas.
Lingers for a while with dry dark choclate, almonds.
very complex, almost mysterious.
Very satisfying and so easy to drink.
Changes little with food but for a drier turn with the appearance of very dry oranges.
Beautifully marries with food, especially light fare.
Tends to show new facets with next sip, with or away from food.

Overall: Best enjoyed slightly chilled and on its own although it combines so well with food.
Thoroughly enjoyable any time of the day and night, by yourself or with great company!
A superb present for a very important one!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Baird Beer, Bars, Beer, Beer Brewery, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 農業, Japan, Japanese Beer, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Beer, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Bryan Baird Newsletter (2014/01/09): Winter Seasonal Release: Dark Sky Imperial Stout

January 9, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin

Winter Seasonal Release: Dark Sky Imperial Stout

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Happy New Year! 2014 promises to be an eventful year at Baird Brewing as we move into our new brewery home in Shuzenji later this spring. We also are undertaking major redesigns of our website, e-shop and newsletter. These changes will be unveiled also in the spring. One thing that won’t be changing is our classic winter seasonal ale: Dark Sky Imperial Stout.

New Baird Beer Seasonal Release:
*Dark Sky Imperial Stout (9%):

This foreboding stout is a beer lover’s winter dream. It is pitch-black in color, unctuous in body, elusively complex in flavor, warming in alcohol and piquantly hoppy. If you want to take the nip out of winter, this is your brew!

Dark Sky Imperial Stout is available for immediate release both in kegs and bottles (360 ml) and is now pouring from the taps at each of our Baird Taproom pubs.

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 里芋, 野菜, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 魚海の幸, 豚肉, 鹿肉, 農業, France, French Cuisine, French gastronomy, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka marine products, Shizuoka Prefecture, Torigai

French Gastronomy: New Year Dinner at Pissenlit (2014) in Shizuoka City!

January 5, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Excellent and very friendly.
Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Superb washroom (mouthwash and toothpicks provided!)!
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive, very good value.
Strong points: Interesting wine list. Great use of local products, especially organic vegetables and Shizuoka-bred meat and caught fish. Very inventive French gastronomy.

Due to a double cold and flu we could have our New Year Dinner only last night at Pissenlit French Restaurant in Pissenlit, but it certainly was worth it!

As the first starter we were served an organic Okura Daikon/大蔵大根 (all vegetables last night were organic and grown by Mr. Hiragaki at Kitayama Farm in Fujinomiya City) and marinated herring!

From a different angle!

Satoimo/taro root terrine!

Seasoned with fresh cream and olive oil!

The Missus’ first seafood dish with a marriage of the land and the sea!

Kogamo Duck Ham and Poireau/French leek!

Poele Ako Oyster and Kadaif/Angel hair and caviar!

The kadaif imported from France!

My own first seafood dish was another marriage of the land and the sea!

Okura Daikon mounted with shirako/cod milt poele in meuniere style and decorated with rainbow trout caviar from Fujinomiya City!

The second fish dish!

The whole vegetable, stem, leaves and flowers, is called “Mibuna” in Japanese!

The fish is madai/true seabream from the Suruga Bay, and poele on its skin.
The sauce is Homard lobster bisque!

The Missus’ meat dish!

Yusui To Pork Fillet and organic vegetables, all from Fujinomiya City!

My meat dish!

Ezo venison from Hokkaido and organic vegetables!

Earl

Grey and Darjheeling Tea jelly before the dessert!

Our dessert!

Chilled Akihime Strawberry soup and its sorbet!

And balsamico sauce!

The mignardises served with the coffee are home-made chocolat almonds and Daigakuimo/Sweet potato!

PISSENLIT
420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 2-3-4
Tel.: 054-270-8768
Fax: 054-627-3868
Business hours: 11:30~14:30; 17:00~22:00
Closed on Tuesdays and Sunday evening
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Credit Cards OK
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 農業, Fujinomiya City, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Fuji Takasago Brewery-Junmai Ginjo

January 4, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

For all simple name, “Junmai Ginjo, this premium sake just released by Fuji Takasago Brewery in Fujinomiya City is a limited brand!

It was the last bottle in Matsuzakaya Department Store and the Brewer who happened to be there had to ask the staff to fetch it inside the store room!

Rice: Yamada Nishiki 100%
Rice milled down to 50%
Dryness: + 3
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in July 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Fruity and dry. Discreet and elegant. Apricots
Body: Fluid
Taste: Well-rounded soft attack with puissant junmai petillanmt.
Fruity. Starts on a sweetish note to end up on a very dry turn. Apricots, almonds.
Elegant, easy to drink.
Disappears quickly with hints of dark chocolate, vanilla and coffee beans.
Turns somewhat sweeter with food but chnages little.

Overall: A superb sake to be enjoyed on its own at room temperature.
Could be used as an extravagant aperitif.
Marries well with food though.
A rare and sure value!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 農業, Fujinomiya City, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Shizuoka sake Tasting: Makino Brewery-Shimizu Minato Jirochou Junmai Ginjo

December 31, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Although Makino Brewery is located in Fujinomiya City at the foot of Mount Fuji, Shimizu Minato Jirochou has been one of their brand names for quite a long time!

Shimizu Minato/清水港 means “Shimizu Harbor”, a still importnat harbor nowadays, but a very important one in Edo and Meiji Times. Actually the samurai fighting against Emperor Meiji initiated their retreat from Shimizu Harbor before being finally vanquished, at least officially, in Hakodate!

Shimizu Jirochou/清水次郎長 whose real name was Yamamoto Chyougorou/山本長五郎 (February 14th, 1820~June 12th 1893 became a local hero during the struggle between the samurai clans and Emperor Meiji when he helped the harbor of Shimizu flourish and his nickname Jirochou eventually became the name of the District in Shimizu City (now Shimizu Ku, part of Shizuoka City) where he was born. One of his exploits was to clean the bay of corpses after a ship crew were assassinated during the civil war and bury them in nearby island. He went as far as running an English language school in Shimizu.

But there was a very dark side to him, leading to his fleeing from the authorities and even being imprisoned for 7 years for murder. But legends tend to grow bigger than individuals… many histprians consider him a hoodlum in spite of the many hagiographies and the small museum to his name in Shimizu Ku!

Rice: Hyakumangoku + Koshi Ibuki
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15 degrees
Dryness: + 4
Acidity: 1.2
Bottled in December 2013

Clarity: very clear
Color: Very faint golden hue
Aroma: Assertive. Dry. Fruity. banana, almonds
Body: Fluid
Taste: Strong attack with puissant junmai petillant.
Pleasant alcohol.
Very dry and fruity: apples, custard, almonds, oranges.
Disappears quickly on an even drier note.
Takes on a milder turn with food, but quickly switches back to its initial dryness.
Almonds and coffee beans tend to appear a lot later on the palate.
Turns only a little milder as nurukan/lukewarm but shows different facets: chestnuts, custard, nuts, oranges.
Dark chocolate making a late appearance.

Overall: An “old fashioned sake” away from the norms set by modern Shizuoka sake trends.
Solid and dry, obviously conceived for food in spite of its elevated status. Millage is low by Shizuoka standards.
Best appreciated with heavy food such as izakaya fare.

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 農業, Fujinomiya City, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Fuji Takasago Brewery-Takasago Shiboritate Otafuku Honjozo Nama Genshu Muroka

December 29, 2013 dragonlife 22 Comments

Can you distinguish the “face” on the label? LOL

“Otafuku/お多福” is the name of a mask representing the visage of a woman with a small nose and large, round and smooth cheeks! The same woman is supposed to represent good fortune!

next year will the Year of the Horse!

Fuji Takasago Brewery in Fujinomiya City produces this “Otafuku” sake to be drunk during the new year festivities.

This particular brand is a “shiboritate/just pressed”, “nama/unpasteurised”, “genshu/no water added” and “muroka/unfiltered”!

Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 18 degrees
Dryness: + 5
Bottled in DEcember 2013

Clarity: Very Clear
Color: Very faint golden hue
Aroma: Assertive, fruity, flowery, plums, cherries
Body: Fluid
Taste: Very strong attack backed up with puissant alcohol.
Complex. Fruity. Cherries, plums, nuts
Disappears quickly on a very dry note with dry almonds and macadamia nuts.
Changes very little with food. Enhances heavy food such as izakaya fare.

Overall: A straightforward strong sake for very dry sake lovers at parties and heavy celebrations!
To be drunk moderately unless you don’t care!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Baird Beer, Bars, Beer, Beer Brewery, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Beer, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Beer, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Bryan Baird Newsletter (2013/12/27): A Beery Good Start to the New Year: Hatsujozo 2014 India Pale Lager

December 27, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin

A Beery Good Start to the New Year: Hatsujozo 2014 India Pale Lager

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

It is a Baird Beer tradition to greet the dawn of each new year with a celebratory “First Brewed” (Hatsujozo) specialty beer. At the stroke of midnight on the evening of December 31, we — along with a host of other Baird Beer retailing establishments in Japan — pour this commemorative Hatsujozo and share it with our fellow beer enthusiasts in a toast to the New Year.

New Baird Beer Seasonal Release:

*Hatsujozo 2014 India Pale Lager (ABV 6.5%):

This year’s “First Brewed” is formulated as a hoppy India Pale Ale but fermented with a lager yeast, becoming an India Pale Lager. The grist bill combines floor-malted English Maris Otter and floor-malted Bohemian Pilsner malt in equal portions, and contains an additional dollop of German Munich malt. 65 IBUs of hops in the kettle (Millenium, Summit, GR Magnum, GR Cascade, Tettnanger) followed by a single round of dry-hopping in the conditioning tank with equal portions of all five hops leaves no doubt about the India Pale-nature of this brew. Fermentation with our house Lager yeast imparts a clean, round flavor characteristic of lager beers.

Hatsujozo 2014 India Pale Lager is available exclusively on draught (no bottles). Please join us at one of our Taproom pubs (Numazu Fishmarket, Nakameguro or Bashamichi) for fun and festive countdown parties on Tuesday, December 31. We will be pouring complimentary taster glasses of Hatsujozo India Pale Lager 2014 to all patrons for our New Year toast at midnight. Please note that our Harajuku Taproom will be closed New Year’s Eve.

We are now accepting orders from craft beer retailing pubs and restaurants in Japan for Hatsujozo 2014 India Pale Lager. Please contact the brewery office to reserve a keg and coordinate shipping arrangements.

Kampai to 2014!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Oomuraya Brewery-Rendai Goshi Shimada Juku Honjozo

December 27, 2013 dragonlife 10 Comments

In 1601, Tokugawa Ieyasu organized the postal, transport and travelling system along the 496 kilometer long Tokaido Road from the Nihonーbashi Bridge in Edo to the Sanjyo-Ôhashi Bridge in Kyoto, building fifty three Inn Towns called “Shukuba Machi” between the two end destinations,
Nihon-bashi bridge in Edo and the Sanjô-Ôhashi in Kyoto.

Ieyasu knew very well that there would be no ever-lasting regime. The Soga clan had perished in four generations. The powerful Fujiwara clan had lost its power when the Samurai class gained their power. The Heikes had perished in a few generations. Ieyasu was afraid that the powerful warlords in the West of Japan would rise in revolt and advance westwards to overthrow
the shogunate.

For the reasons of military defense, Ieyasu ordered that no bridge should be built across the Ôi-gawa river, the Abe-gawa river, and other long rivers. The ferry boat services across the Ôi-gawa River were also prohibited. The current of the Ôi-gawa River became very rapid after much rainfall and it was dangerous to cross the river. This gave birth to the professional fording coolies. They were called “Kawagoshi Ninsoku”. In 1696, the shogunate built the Office of Fordingin Shimada Inn Town (Station town) at the river side of the Ôi-gawa River and put the forders’ services under supervision.

There were six classes of the services for crossing the river. Fording on the shoulders of one carrier was the cheapest. It required only one wooden “river tablet” for one coolie which could bought at the Office of Fording “Kawa Kaisyo”. For the Carrying Boardscalled “Rendai”, a Rendai tablet for its rental fee had to be bought.

The fares of the services varied according to the class of the carrying boards “Rendai” and the number of the fording coolies. The warlord’s palanqueen was put on an extravagant Rendai and was carried by a dozen of the carriers and a few assistants.

The fares depended also on the depth of the day of the water in the river. Each day, the official tariffs on the services were decided. No carrier could ask for an exhorbitant price for their services. When the depth of the water reached 136 centimeters, fording was prohibited.
Sometimes, travelers had to wait more than twenty days at the Inn Town until the depth of the water would decrease. No traveler was permitted to ford the river by his/her own means whatever the conditions of the river.

At the end of the Edo period, there were 650 carriers at the Shimada Inn Town. The government of the shogunate collapsed in 1868 and the fording system ended in 1871 when the ferry boat services started. The carriers became jobless. The band of samurais who accompanied the last shogun Yoshinobu to the province of Suruga also lost their jobs. They began to cultivate the virgin fields and forests on the Makinohara Plateau at the west side of the river. They turned them into the beautiful green tea fields wecan admire nowadays.

Shimada holds the Festival of Wading the Ôi-gawa River in July or August to recall the hard days of traveling when they were forced to stay more than twenty days at the river side town of Shimada.

I know a friend who will want this label after such explanations!

Rice: gohyakumangoku & Aji no Kaori
Rice milled down to 60%
Dryness: + 8
Acidity: 1.5
Bottled in October 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Assertive. Fruity. dry. Bananas, dark chocolate
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Well-rounded attack backed up with pleasant alcohol.
Complex, dry and fruity. Bananas
Disappears quickly on a drier note with hints of oranges, persimmons, dry almonds and dark chocolate.
Varies little with food but for a mellower tone with hints of citruses.
As nurukan/lukewarm takes on a definitely mellower note. Extremely pleasant while keeping its characteristics and adding a few more facets. Stays complex even as a nurukan with strong hints of custard, soft almonds and dark chocolate.

Overall: A solid and reliable sake!
For once I would unusually recommended it as nurukan for maximum enjoyment!
Although obviously conceived to accompany food, especially izakaya fare, it is thoroughly enjoyable on its own, especially as a night cap!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 農業, Fujieda City, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Sake, Sugii Brewery, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sugii Brewery-Junmai Hatsu Shibori Kimoto Shikomi

December 24, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Sugii Brewery in Fujieda City is known as the most experiencing sake brewery in Shizuoka Prefecture and one has to be quick to grab all their limited brews!
Their names also make for good reading:
“Hatsu Shibori” means “First Press”. “Kimoto Shikomi・生酛仕込み” is a bit more difficult to translate as it is an old method that many breweries avoid because it is hard work and very risky as it uses natural/wild yeasts.

Rice milled down to 70%
Alcohol: 14~15 degrees
Bottled in December 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Very faint golden hue
Aroma: Assertive, dry, fruity. Apples, oranges
Body: Fluid
Taste: Very dry attack.
Very light and fruity. Complex, “difficult to catch”.
Apples, dry melon.
Junmai petillant appears on the palate only after swallowing, therefore tends to linger on for a while with lots of dry apples.
As nurukan/lukewarm, reveals totally diffrent facets with a milder attack with hints of dark chocolate and almonds.
marries beautifully with any food, especially heavy izakaya fare.

Overall: For the unusual and dry sake lovers!
Definitely not your standard sake in Shizuoka Prefecture or elsewhere for that matter!
A sake obviously conceived to accompany and emphasize food.
Definitely worth a careful tasting away from the norm!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Cakes, 美食, Design, Desserts, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism, Vegan, Vegan Cuisine, Vegan Dessert, vegetables, Vegetarian cuisine

Vegan Christmas Cakes & New Year Confectionery: Japanese Wagashi!

December 23, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Pyramid-style Christmas Tree?

Here are some more suggestions for Christmas Cakes through re-published articles!
Have fun!

NOTE: I’m an unrepentant agnostic hedonist (and an omnivore to boot!), but since some of my vegan and vegetarain friends are Christian, I hope these pictures will inspire them!

Flowery Christmas!

What’s in Santa’s bag?

Bring your forks and knives!

Holy (Holly) Christmas!

For the toddlers!

Pity you have to eat it!

Definitely Japanese-style!

They almost look like sushi!

Elegant simplicity!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Baird Beer, Bars, Beer, Beer Brewery, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Japan, Japanese Beer, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Beer, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2013/12/019): Holiday Season Special Releases: Jubilation Ale & Bakayaro! Ale

December 19, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin

Holiday Season Special Releases: Jubilation Ale & Bakayaro! Ale

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Life is a fleeting thing. Each of us is here but a very short time. The older we get, the more clearly we comprehend this inexorable reality. And despite the sometimes awful travails and the always regular monotony of life, it remains a mysteriously beautiful thing. The end-of-the-year holiday season provides wonderful occasion for reflection and appreciation of the joy of living.

At Baird Brewing, 0ur appreciation of this joy is manifested in a celebratory holiday season ale we call Jubilation Ale.

Baird Beer Holiday Season Special Releases:
*Jubilation Ale (7%):

This malty rich, festively red-hued ale derives its special character largely from the addition of two wonderful local ingredients: (1) fully ripened Japanese figs (ichijiku) and (2) cinnamon twigs culled from a local nikki tree. The full-bodied character combined with the attendant alcohol strength will warm the flesh just as it brings jubilation to the soul.

Jubilation Ale is available for immediate release in both kegs and bottles (360 ml). It begins pouring from our Taproom taps tonight (Thursday, December 19).

If joyous celebration this holiday season is simply beyond your capacity, we fully understand. There is a Grinch in all of us and it needs recognition too. For the Grinch inside you, we proudly release Bakayaro! Ale.

*Bakayaro! Ale (8.5%):

This insolent, snotty and mean-spirited brew is pungently hoppy and wickedly strong. High in malt gravity (18.2 Plato), bitter in hoppiness (90 IBU), aggressive in aroma (double dry-hopping with five varieties: Sorachi Acd, Summit, Citra, Chinook, Centennial), Bakayaro! Ale just doesn’t give a rat’s ass. And this year, he is the confused and conflicted love-child of a multiple fermentation orgy between two different yeast strains — one Belgian and one Scottish. And you thought your life was crazy!

We invite you to visit a Baird Taproom this evening, have a pint and let those around know exactly how you feel — joyful or otherwise! Bakayaro! Ale is available for immediate release in both kegs and bottles (360 ml).

I am happy to report that we are making very good progress in the construction of our new brewery in Shuzenji. Our custom-designed German manufactured brewing equipment began arriving on site this past Monday and Hori-san and team are busy positioning it within the brewery even as I write. Please check out our photo gallery on Facebook from time to time for a visual update: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.733443336672214.1073741827.117149904968230&type=3&uploaded=6.

Lead brewer Chris will be updating the photo gallery more extensively later this weekend. If things continue on course, we expect to be brewing in the new facility sometime in April 2014. Our current brewery equipment will be relocated to Shuzenji and reinstalled there by the end of May 2014. The grand opening celebration likely will be held in June 2014.

Holiday Season Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Suruga Brewery-Abekaido Tokubetsu Honjozo

December 19, 2013 dragonlife 18 Comments

As I mentioned before Suruga Brewery, the “officially” (I do have a bone of contention about that…) second newest brewery in Shizuoka Prefecture preserved the names of the sake brands produced by the defunct Yoshiya Brewery after they acquired their license.
And “Abekaido/The Route Along the Abe River” is one of them!
The label represents a genuine woodblock print made in Edo period when people did travel a lot along the Abe River in Shizuoka City they had to cross along the Old Tokaido Road!
Keep the label!

I acquired this particular 300 ml bottle at Cenova Department Store in Shizuoka City which makes the effort to give enough information!

Rice milled down to 60&
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: + 7
Bottled in November 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Almost transparent
Aroma: Pleasant, dry and fruity. Banana, custard.
Body: Fluid
Taste: Well-rounded and deep attack with soft alcohol.
Complex. Fruity. Custard, with late hints of dry oranges and persimmons.
Lingers only for a little while.
Very elegant and gentle approach for a seemingly “modest” sake.
Changes little with food but for a drier and nuttier note.
Clings solidly to its qualities all along with or without food. Drinks up very quickly!

Overall: A sure value!
The kind of ask you can drink for any occasion. Great with any fod that it will enhance without overwhelming it.
The perfect present/souvenir to a sake-lover beyond our Prefecture for an endless conevrsation topic on Japanese sake, culture and history!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

レシピ, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Suruga Brewery-Chumasa Daiginjo Genshu

December 14, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Suruga Brewery in Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City, has certainly come a long way since they acquired the license of defunct Yoshiya Brewery!

Not only they bought the license but kept on producing the former brewery’s names: Chumasa, Tokaido and Oni goroshi!

This particular sake has been awarded the accolade from The Shizuoka Prefecture Government!

Rice: Yamada Nishiki (Hyogo Prefecture9
Rice milled down to 40%
Alcohol: 16~17 degrees
Dryness: ; 7
Acidity: 1.1
Bottled in October 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color:Faint golden hue
Aroma: Assertive, dry, fruity. Apples
Body: Fluid
Taste: Well-rounded deep, dry, fruity attack. Pleasant alcohol.
Very complex.
Banana, apples, pears, oranges, nuts, hints of dark chocolate.
Disappears fairly quickly with drier oranges and almonds.
Takes on a sweeter turn with each sip to immediately switch back to a drier accent.
Dry banana, almonds and pears making a comeback with every sip.

Overall: A very complex and elegant sake in spite of its high alcohol content.
Although thoroughly enjoyable with any food, is best enjoyed slowly on its own, either chilled or at room temperature.
Especially comforting after a cold winter day as an aperitif, or even better as a night cap.
If you must absolutely drink it with food, enjoy it with salads or fish.
A special nectar!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Baird Beer, Bars, Beer, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Beer, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2013/12/05): The Return of Double Piston Bock

December 5, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin

The Return of Double Piston Bock

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

I love the change of seasons as well as the change within seasons; change that is tangible really on a weekly basis. There is nothing in the beverage world that can mirror, embody, reflect both the dramatic changes of season and the subtle changes within season like Beer. I have said it a million times, but the truth of the statement rings louder and echoes further with each passing utterance: “Beer is the most varied and diverse beverage on earth!” Our poor friends at industrial breweries have completely missed the boat on this beautiful beer diversity thing. It almost seems unfair that us small guys, leading as we do with our unbreakable inner compass of beer passion and professional craftsmanship, should get to have all the fun. I’m not complaining, though. And today I get to share more of this gleeful fun with you.

New-Old Seasonal Baird Beer Release:
*Double Piston Bock (7.5%):

In Germany, its homeland, a Bock is first and foremost a strong lager beer. A regular Bock starts at a gravity not less than 16 Plato, a Dopplebock not less than 18 Plato. There is some controversy surrounding the origin of the name ‘Bock’, but I believe what I read in Michael Jackson’s “New World Guide to Beer” book: “The name most probably originates from that of the town of Einbeck … It seems likely that the identity of brews from this town was in time popularly abbreviated to ‘beck beer.’ Later, that contraction was corrupted into ‘bock’ in the Bavarian accent.” The city of Einbeck emerged in the Middle Ages as what seems to have been the world’s first great center of commercial brewing.

Double Piston Bock is our version of a classic Dopplebock. I brewed the first batches of it back in 2001 on our 30-liter Fishmarket Taproom nano-brewing system. The next time we brewed it wasn’t until 2007. The third time, always the charm, is now.

Double Piston Bock starts at a gravity of 18.5 Plato and finishes at 4.7. We have been lagering it in our cellar for 4-plus months. It is brewed with three German malts (Pilsner, Munich, Caraaroma) and two German hops (Tradition, Perle). Bitterness is calculated at 25 IBUs. The color is dark with amber highlights. It has a very rich start, a full rounded body with a sweet mouth-feel, and the finish is long and silky.

Double Piston Bock begins pouring from our Taproom taps tonight (Thursday, December 6). I will be making a beeline to the Fishmarket Taproom this evening to enjoy a glass or two myself. Double Piston Bock also is available for immediate shipment to other Baird Beer retailing establishments in Japan. This year it is draught-only (no bottles).

If you make it to a Taproom tonight, may I suggest starting off the evening with a hand-pump pulled single-hopped English style Extra Special Bitter. In a follow-up to our single-hopped Fuggle ESB, tonight we are tapping East Kent Golding ESB (5.5%). East Kent Golding, historically, has been the signature hop in English brewing; ESB has been one of England’s signature beer styles. Two storied styles from two renowned beer cultures, only on tap at the Baird Taproom pubs.

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Recommended Lunch Restaurants In Shizuoka Prefecture: Japanese (December 2013)

December 5, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Tempura at Setsugekka in Shimada City!

Many people only have time to visit restaurants at lunch and it is certainly not easy to find a restaurant with a better lunch with all those cheap diners around!
Here is the fourth installment of a series of reports on recommended lunch restaurants in Shizuoka Prefecture which will be classified as follows:
-French
-Italian
-Western (American, European, et al)
-Japanese
-Asian
-Vegan & Vegetarian
-Ethnic
-Healthy

TOTOYA

Service: Friendly and attentivr. Easy-going.
Equipment & Facilities: A bit old but overall very clean. Clean washroom
Prices: Reasonable~Slightly expensive
Strong points: Traditional Japanese gastronomy. Great local fish and seafood. Excellent sake and shochu list. French spoken!

TOTOYA
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenmacho, 8-9, Kubota Building
Tel.: 054-274-0077
Opening hours: 11:30~14:30, 17:00^22:30
Parties welcome
Small private room up to 8 guests, party room for up to 24 guests
Credit cards OK (dinner only but warn them before ordering!)

SETSUGEKKA

Service: Very friendly and attentive
Facilities: Great overall cleanliness. Beautiful washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: High quality soba. Beautiful tempura. Great local sake

SETSUGEKKA/雪月花
Shimada City, Hontouri, 2-3-4
Tel.: 0547-35-5241
Opening hours: 11:30~14:30, 17:00~22:00
Closed on Monday and third Tuesday
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking for lunch!

KIIRO IZAKAYA

Service: Very kind and smiling
Equipment and Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. No shoes allowed inside. Very clean washroom
Prices: Reasonable considering the enormous portions!
Strong points: Pork and tonkatsu!

KIIRO
Shizuoka City, Aoi ku, Takajo, 2-3-2, Sun City Takajo, 1F
Tel.: 054-254-0453
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:30~22:30
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

TAGATA ZAIRAI SOBA

Service: Smiling and friendly
Equipment & Facilities: Overall extremely clean. Superb washroom if a bit small
Prices: Very reasonable
Strong points: Only native buckwheat used. Good sake and shochu list

TAGATA ZAIRAI SOBA (make sure you understand the address as Tagata is a very common name for restaurants in Japan!)
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa Cho, 3-3-4　(left of Tokai Bldg across the street)
Tel.: 054-251-0707
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:30~21:00
Closed on Sundays

SOBA SAKE KAWAKATSU

Service: Friendly
Equipment: traditional. Clean. Beautiful toilets
Prices: Appropriate
Strong points: Very fresh ingredients. Most ingredients not only local but sef-grown or self-raised! Local sake and shochu!
Entirely non-smoking!

Sake Soba Kawakatsu
426-0034, Fujieda Shi, Eki mae, 1-8-4
Tel./Fax: 054-645-1770
Business hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:30~22:00
Closed on Mondays, 1st & 3rd Tuesdays

EKIMAE MATSUNO SUSHI

Service: Very friendly, attentive and informative
Facilities: Overall clean if a bit old-fashioned
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Mainly local fish and seafood. Local sake. Always ready to improvise!
Entirely non-smoking!

EKIMAE MATSUNO SUSHI/駅前松乃寿
Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Koya Machi, 3-3 (Just in front of Shizuoka JR Railway Station
Tel.: 054-252-0123
Business hours: 11:00~21:00
Closed on Wednesdays and 3rd Tuesday
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Entirely Non-Smoking!

TOMII

Service: Professional and attentive
Equipment: Great overall cleanliness, superb washroom
Prices: Slightly expensive
Strong Points: Refined Japanese gastronomy. Great list of Shizuoka Sake.

TOMII
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg, 1F
Tel.: 054-274-0666
Business hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays

SOBA NO MI

Service: Friendly
Equipment: a bit old but clean
Prices: Appropriate
Strong points: Very fresh ingredients. Old-fashioned atmosphere
Entirely non-smoking!

Soba No Mi
Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Kawabe Cho, 2-2-3
Tel.: 054-251-8000
Business hours: 11:00~21:00 (or until soba are exhausted)
Closed on Tuesdays and third Wednesdays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

SUMPU NO NKUDOKORO

Service: Friendly, attentive and smiling
Equipment & Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Beautiful and modern gender-separated washrooms
Prices: Reasonable (wayuu is not cheap anywhere!)
Strong points: Almost completely local ingredients. High class beef and pork. Great local sake and shochu list! Non-smoking at lunch time!

Sumpu No Nikudokoro
Shizuoka Sodachi
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Oote Machi, 2-15, MRK Bldg., 2f (across Cenova Dept. Store above 7 eleven convenience store)
Tel.: 054-251-4129
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:00~23:00
Closed on third Wednesday of each month
Credit Cards OK
Reservations highly recommended for dinner!
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

NARUKAWA SUSHI

Service: Professional and very friendly. Keen to please customers
Facilities: Very clean overall. Great washroom
Prices: Appropriate
Strong points: Extensive usage of local fish. Shizuoka sake.

NARUKAWA
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae-cho, 1-5-2
Tel.: 054-221-1689
Business hours: 11::30~13:30, 17:00~02:00
Closed on Mondays
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Jpanese)

IZAKAYA HACHOKURA

Service: Friendly
Facilities: Clean
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Lots of fresh local fish and produce. Great range of sake and shochu.

HACHOKURA/八丁蔵
Shizuoka City, Kurogane Cho 48 (inside Shizuoka JR Railway Station), Asty West Building
Tel.: 054-255-8180
Opening hours: 11:00~22:30
Credit Cards OK
Parties welcome
Smoking allowed

KOGAWA HARBOR (YAIZU CITY) CANTEEN

Service: Friendly
Equipment & Facilities: Tradional and clean
Prices: Very Reasonable
Strong points: All fresh fish from Kogawa (Yaizu) fishing harbor!

Kogawa Fishing Harbor Canteen/小川港魚河岸食堂
425-0033 Yaizu Shi, Kogawa, 3392-9
Tel.: 054-624-6868
Business hours: 07:00~14:00
Open all year round except for the New Year and mid-summer O-Bon

YOSHINO

Service: Shy but friendly
Facilities: old but clean. Traditional
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: 10 wari soba. Good list of Shizuoka sake.

YOSHINO
420-0839 Shizuoka Shi, Takajyo, 1-7-10
Tel.: 054-255-3277
Business hours: 11:00 until they run out of buckwheat!
Closed on Tuesdays

CHIGUSA

Service: shy but very friendly
Facilities: traditional but very clean
Prices: reasonable for eels (eels are very expensive in Japan)
Strong points: Eels! Only local fish used! Great view on Hamana Lake

CHIGUSA ちぐさ/千草
Hamamatsu City, kita Ku, Mikkabi Cho, Mikkabi, 1148-10
Tel.: 053-525-0218
Opening hours: 11:00~14:00, 16:00~20:00
Closed on 31st of December and 1st of January only
Reservations strongly recommended
Take-outs OK!
Cards OK
Non-smoking at lunch time
Car park available (30 spaces)
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
BLOG (Japanese)

UKIDONO

Service: Friendly and attentive
Facilities & Equipment: Superb cleanliness overall and beautiful washroom
Prices: Slightly expensive but good value
Strong points: Superb Japanese gastronomy in a beautiful setting. Great list of Shizuoka sake!

UKIDONO
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Koyamachi, 11-1, Fugetsuro
Tel.: 054-2520131
Business hours: 11:30~15:00; 17:00~22:00 (until 21:00 on Sundays)
Closed on Mondays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Credit Cards OK

CHOJIYA

Service: Friendly and informative
Equipment & Facilities: Old but very clean
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Traditional japanese food in a traditional environment full of history!

CHOJIYA
421-0103 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Mariko, 7-10-10 (Take the bus going to Fujieda from North Exit Platform No 7 at Shizuoka JR Station. Get off at Marikobashi Iriguchi stop!)
Opening hours: 11:00~19:00
Closed on Thursdays and last Wedenesday of the month
Entirely non-smoking!
HOMEPAGE (English)

KUROMUGI

Service: Friendly
Equipment: Old but clean
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: 100% soba noodles (ju-wari soba). Traditional Japanese Soba Restaurant.

422-8078 Shizuoka Shi, Suruga Ku, Satsuki Cho, 8-15
Tel.: 054-287-8539
Fax: 054-287-8309
Business hours: 11:30~15:00, 17:00~21:00; 11:30~21:00 (Saturdays)
Closed on Mondays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
MAP(Japanese)

IWA ICHI

Service: Very friendly and easy-going.
Facilities: Very clean overall. Excellent amenities
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Soba of course, but traditional Japanese gastronomy on the whole. Excellent all-rounder.
English spoken!
Non-smoking at tables.

IWA ICHI
420-01816 Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Kutsunoya, 3-4-22
Tel.: 054-293-4151
Business hours: 11:30^14:00, 17:30~22:00
Closed on Mondays

TSUDONO ZARU SOBA

Service: Very kind and a bit shy
Equipment & Facilities: Spotless clean. Superb washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Soba! Very Japanese atmosphere.

TSUDONO Zaru Soba
421-2121 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tsudono, 514-2
Tel.: 054-294-1005
Opening hours: 11:00~15:00 or until the soba are sold out!
Closed on Mondays (except on National Holidays)
Car parking available
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Shop with Intent by Debbie
BULA KANA in Fiji
Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,