In Japan, nakiri knives come in all manner of lengths and shapes to suit hand sizes and preferences. The Milk Street full-sized Nakiri is a terrific tool for most tasks, but we were excited to find a small-scale blade—roughly 4.75 inches—that offered excellent control and comfort. Having a shorter blade is the easiest way to get through delicate tasks such as peeling garlic, thinly slicing herbs or trimming mushrooms, or everyday tasks like slicing and dicing.
Made in Tosa, Japan, the carbon steel knife is fit with a comfortable wa (Japanese-style) walnut handle. The blade is forged from Aogami Blue carbon steel (Japanese steels are named after the color of the paper the raw steel is wrapped in), which is renowned for its hardness, ability to hold a keen edge (and sharpen easily!) and price point. The blade is complete with a "kurouchi" finish, a rustic textured "blacksmith’s" finish (the word "kurouchi" roughly translates to "hammered black" in Japanese). The textured, matte finish creates black scales that serve as a nonstick surface that prevents food from clinging. The ultra-thin, shorter blade and flat nonstick profile makes it one of the best knives we’ve ever used for slicing garlic or shaving shallots into thin ribbons.
In Japan, nakiri knives come in all manner of lengths and shapes to suit hand sizes and preferences. The Milk Street full-sized Nakiri is a terrific tool for most tasks, but we were excited to find a small-scale blade—roughly 4.75 inches—that offered excellent control and comfort. Having a shorter blade is the easiest way to get through delicate tasks such as peeling garlic, thinly slicing herbs or trimming mushrooms, or everyday tasks like slicing and dicing.
Made in Tosa, Japan, the carbon steel knife is fit with a comfortable wa (Japanese-style) walnut handle. The blade is forged from Aogami Blue carbon steel (Japanese steels are named after the color of the paper the raw steel is wrapped in), which is renowned for its hardness, ability to hold a keen edge (and sharpen easily!) and price point. The blade is complete with a "kurouchi" finish, a rustic textured "blacksmith’s" finish (the word "kurouchi" roughly translates to "hammered black" in Japanese). The textured, matte finish creates black scales that serve as a nonstick surface that prevents food from clinging. The ultra-thin, shorter blade and flat nonstick profile makes it one of the best knives we’ve ever used for slicing garlic or shaving shallots into thin ribbons.
Chopsticks come in all shapes, sizes and materials, These vibrantly colored, durably fashioned chopsticks from Japan are just the right length and width for most anything. We use them beyond the dinner table for stirring drinks, stirring batters and frying delicate items. Take note: The chopsticks come in a six-piece set.
Chopsticks come in all shapes, sizes and materials, These vibrantly colored, durably fashioned chopsticks from Japan are just the right length and width for most anything. We use them beyond the dinner table for stirring drinks, stirring batters and frying delicate items. Take note: The chopsticks come in a six-piece set.
Sesame oil is an essential ingredient in East Asian cuisine for adding aromatic depth, but too often it can be cloying and overpowering. We tasted numerous versions and especially like Maruhon Lightly Toasted Sesame Oil made by Takemoto Oil & Fat Company, the oldest operating oil-extracting company in Japan, which traces its roots to 1725. Maruhon Lightly Toasted Sesame Oil has a far more delicate, nuanced flavor than supermarket versions and tastes distinctly of sesame, unlike the generic nuttiness of some mass-produced versions. This producer uses a chemical-free extraction process, which is not only healthier but also yields a cleaner taste that doesn’t overpower light dishes but stands up to heavier ones. The oil adds just the right amount of nutty richness and is much more aromatic than others we've tried.
Sesame oil is an essential ingredient in East Asian cuisine for adding aromatic depth, but too often it can be cloying and overpowering. We tasted numerous versions and especially like Maruhon Lightly Toasted Sesame Oil made by Takemoto Oil & Fat Company, the oldest operating oil-extracting company in Japan, which traces its roots to 1725. Maruhon Lightly Toasted Sesame Oil has a far more delicate, nuanced flavor than supermarket versions and tastes distinctly of sesame, unlike the generic nuttiness of some mass-produced versions. This producer uses a chemical-free extraction process, which is not only healthier but also yields a cleaner taste that doesn’t overpower light dishes but stands up to heavier ones. The oil adds just the right amount of nutty richness and is much more aromatic than others we've tried.
Don’t be fooled by this apron’s stunning design—it’s actually been used as a functional piece of workwear for centuries in Japan. They’re produced in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture (the last remaining area of production in Japan) and made from durable cotton that’ll stand up to frequent use. These aprons from Anything Co. are made on century-old Toyota shuttle looms (yes, the car company, which originally started out as a loom manufacturer). They’re colored with a rich indigo using resist-dyeing techniques, which allows the original white shade of the fabric to come through in the design and not bleed or fade over time. We love how the color fades a bit with use—typically, this is a sign in Japan of well-worn beauty. The thick belts are also colored with white and red, both considered lucky colors, and are sturdy enough to offer lower back support when tied in a traditional fashion.
Don’t be fooled by this apron’s stunning design—it’s actually been used as a functional piece of workwear for centuries in Japan. They’re produced in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture (the last remaining area of production in Japan) and made from durable cotton that’ll stand up to frequent use. These aprons from Anything Co. are made on century-old Toyota shuttle looms (yes, the car company, which originally started out as a loom manufacturer). They’re colored with a rich indigo using resist-dyeing techniques, which allows the original white shade of the fabric to come through in the design and not bleed or fade over time. We love how the color fades a bit with use—typically, this is a sign in Japan of well-worn beauty. The thick belts are also colored with white and red, both considered lucky colors, and are sturdy enough to offer lower back support when tied in a traditional fashion.
If you are tired of tasteless white rice, let me introduce you to Genmai Rice. When I first tasted genmai two years ago, my first thought was that this rice was a miracle—it cooks quickly, just like white rice, but has the rich, earthy flavor and satisfying chewiness of great brown rice. Once you taste Sukoyaka Genmai, you will never go back. How is this possible? It is an American-grown short-grain brown rice that has had a portion of the outer bran layer is scrubbed away, allowing the grains to hydrate faster while retaining most of their nutritional properties. The nutty, earthy-tasting grains are distinct and just a touch sticky, making the rice perfect for accompanying stir-fries, curries, soups and stews, although I make it two or three times a week as a starter, for any sort of topping from steamed vegetables to quickly grilled chicken or steak. Matt, Card, our food editor, also swears by it for fried rice. He keeps a batch frozen in the freezer for a quick batch: Just defrost on the countertop, and it's ready to go for a virtually instant meal. Buy as much as you can afford, since genmai will become your go-to rice after the first bite.
If you are tired of tasteless white rice, let me introduce you to Genmai Rice. When I first tasted genmai two years ago, my first thought was that this rice was a miracle—it cooks quickly, just like white rice, but has the rich, earthy flavor and satisfying chewiness of great brown rice. Once you taste Sukoyaka Genmai, you will never go back. How is this possible? It is an American-grown short-grain brown rice that has had a portion of the outer bran layer is scrubbed away, allowing the grains to hydrate faster while retaining most of their nutritional properties. The nutty, earthy-tasting grains are distinct and just a touch sticky, making the rice perfect for accompanying stir-fries, curries, soups and stews, although I make it two or three times a week as a starter, for any sort of topping from steamed vegetables to quickly grilled chicken or steak. Matt, Card, our food editor, also swears by it for fried rice. He keeps a batch frozen in the freezer for a quick batch: Just defrost on the countertop, and it's ready to go for a virtually instant meal. Buy as much as you can afford, since genmai will become your go-to rice after the first bite.
There is no such thing as just “soy sauce” in Asian cuisine — there are different brews for different purposes. A good example is Japanese white (shiro) soy sauce, which is light amber in color and clearer and thinner than dark soy sauce. Made from coarsely milled roasted wheat that is mixed with steamed soybeans and inoculated with a special type of rice mold called koji, this soy sauce has a subtle flavor that can be used in salad dressings and marinades.
There is no such thing as just “soy sauce” in Asian cuisine — there are different brews for different purposes. A good example is Japanese white (shiro) soy sauce, which is light amber in color and clearer and thinner than dark soy sauce. Made from coarsely milled roasted wheat that is mixed with steamed soybeans and inoculated with a special type of rice mold called koji, this soy sauce has a subtle flavor that can be used in salad dressings and marinades.
Made in Japan, this unique tool is designed to grate and zest easily without clogging up, thanks to its sharp blades set at a 60-degree angle. It cuts through ginger and other tougher foods well, while preventing waste thanks to its spoon shape. Simply grate directly onto the spoon and use it to stir your ingredient directly into whatever you’re making—the solid bottom also ensures all of the gratings are kept on the spoon. And the angle of the blades make it easy to clean.
Made in Japan, this unique tool is designed to grate and zest easily without clogging up, thanks to its sharp blades set at a 60-degree angle. It cuts through ginger and other tougher foods well, while preventing waste thanks to its spoon shape. Simply grate directly onto the spoon and use it to stir your ingredient directly into whatever you’re making—the solid bottom also ensures all of the gratings are kept on the spoon. And the angle of the blades make it easy to clean.
