Food
Simple can be gorgeous when setting a holiday table
Setting a gorgeous table for a holiday meal doesn't have to be expensive or difficult, says interior designer Elizabeth Stuart. Sometimes, a simple design using just a few plants and candles can be more beautiful than an intricate display. "There are no rules," says Stuart, and you can plan a… Read
Japan’s first beef bowl vending machine goes into service in Tokyo
Japan deserves every ounce of praise it gets for its drink vending machines. One of the greatest luxuries in life is walking around Japan on a brisk day in late fall, knowing that there’s an entire array of machines stationed around the city with hot beverages like green tea, hot chocolate,… Read
Starbucks Japan gives Kyoto and Hyogo their very own Frappuccinos for a very limited time
It's been 20 years since Starbucks first arrived in Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures, three years after the green mermaid first appeared in the country in Tokyo’s Ginza back in 1996. Now, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Starbucks in Hyogo and Kyoto, the coffeehouse chain is giving them each a very special… Read
Beyond vegan burgers: Next-generation protein could come from air, methane, volcanic springs
It may sound like science fiction, but in a few short years the family dinner table may be laden with steak from a printer and other proteins produced from air, methane or volcanic microbes. With the explosive success of vegan beef and burger substitutes developed by Beyond Meat and Impossible… Read
Thai chef aims to turn insect eating into fine dining
Thai chef Surasit Buttama spent almost a decade cooking international food at upscale restaurants and hotels in the United States and Thailand, but he found his passion a few months ago at a Bangkok restaurant serving edible insects. His latest recipe consists of almond cream pear tart served with silk… Read
Mizuyokan: A Western twist on a traditional Japanese dessert
Nestled within the rows of shops on the first floor of Shibuya Scramble Square, a newly opened multi-purpose skyscraper overlooking Shibuya Station, you'll find Funabashiya Koyomi 船橋屋こよみ. Funabashiya is a venerable establishment with 214 years of history in Tokyo. They are most famous for a jelly-like dessert called kuzumochi 葛餅, a Tokyo… Read
Post-meal waste at Japanese sushi restaurant sparks controversy online
Sushi is known worldwide for being one of the healthier choices when it comes to dining out, but in recent years, diet-conscious diners have begun to eschew the carb-heavy rice content in a way that’s causing anger amongst chefs, waitstaff, business owners, and the general public in Japan. This wasteful style of dining has become a sore… Read
Manga cafe with 24-hour, all-you-can-eat food might be cheapest place to stay (or live) in Japan
The term Japanese “manga cafes” doesn’t really do them justice. Sure, they started out as pay-to-read libraries that served drinks, but they quickly started adding amenities like Internet-access PCs and private booths. Japanese Twitter user @toushikakeichan recently shared a photo of what might be the greatest perk of all: free, unlimited food. According to the… Read
Park Hyatt Tokyo unveils Christmas sweets, dinner plans
Park Hyatt Tokyo has announced the coming festive season’s selection of stylish Christmas cakes and desserts as well as special Christmas dinners at New York Grill, Girandole, Kozue and The Peak Lounge. ■ Pastry Boutique: Christmas Cakes Pure White Snow 4,700 yen (16 cm × 8 cm) An exquisite balance… Read
Silky golden ramen recommended by Michelin Guide is so good, we felt like royalty eating it
Ramen stores can be found everywhere in Japan, and while most of them offer mouthwatering noodles that will satisfy even the ficklest of customers, some restaurants surpass their peers and manage to achieve perfection in their craft. Ramen specialist store Kagari is one such establishment headquartered in Ginza, having been featured in the… Read
