JIA Inc. Companion Wok
Crafted from carbon steel, our preferred wok cooking material, this pan features a long beech wood handle (which won’t overheat) as well as an ear handle for easy pouring and transport. Although it doesn’t have any sort of chemical coating, the pan’s glossy black interior undergoes a special nitriding process, which produces an iron nitride layer that increases durability and prevents rust. The inside is then polished to a shine and given a fish-scale uneven finish to promote air flow under food, both of which give the pan incredible nonstick properties straight for the box with a quick initial seasoning. So you don’t have to worry as much about building up a layer of seasoning straight away like you would with other carbon steel pans or cast iron.
Plus, its flat bottom ensures it’ll work with any cooking surface and the accompanying lid with an easy-to-grip wood knob makes it ideal for steaming as well.
Milk Street: Kitchin-tan™ Serrated Japanese-Style Utility Knife
The serrated Milk Street Kitchin-tan utility knife will be the most useful knife in your kitchen. It’s a pinch-hitting wonder that spans the gap between a chef’s knife and paring knife. It’s long enough for many big tasks, but small enough for detail work. We’ve taken the proven shape and functionality of the Kitchin-tan and added a maintenance-free serrated edge. The grippy razor teeth effortlessly slice though anything and everything: thick-skinned tomatoes and peppers, fibrous broccoli stems and asparagus stalks, rubbery citrus peels. You’ll be amazed at how often you use this knife.
Anything Co. Maekake Japanese Traditional Apron
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.
Otoshibuta Adjustable Stainless Steel Drop Lid
In Japan, cooks have a clever tool for ensuring that simmering foods stay below the liquid instead of bobbing along the surface. They use an otoshibuta, or drop lid. Though drop lids are traditionally made of wood, we like this new and adjustable stainless steel version, designed to fit a variety of pot sizes. It also doesn’t absorb flavors the way wood can. To use, simply set the otoshibuta over food in simmering liquid, which weighs those items down just enough to keep them below the surface. The drop lid also forces liquid to circulate (so food is evenly covered with no stirring required), holds ingredients in place to prevent breakage and promotes faster cooking. We like to use them when blanching kale or chard, which can puff above boiling water, or when simmering black-eyed peas, lentils and other legumes to keep them fully submerged.
MegaChef Kecap Manis
After years of searching for the right one, we finally found a version of this Indonesian staple condiment we are proud to sell. Kecap manis, or “sweet dark soy sauce,” is an Indonesian secret for depth, umami and complexity. Megachef’s version—the best one we’ve tried—is virtually impossible to find in the United States. Of the handful of brands sold here, most are packed with thickeners, additives and flavorings; apart from a nominal amount of starch for consistency, Megachef adds no preservatives, artificial coloring or MSG, and its flavor is significantly bolder and richer than the other versions we’ve tried. Soy sauce from non-GMO soybeans and high-quality palm sugar are simmered until the sauce becomes thick and glossy, with a deep dark color and consistency similar to hoisin. The resulting sauce isn’t as salty as soy or as sweet as hoisin, the two most comparable condiments—but it has a funky malty, umami soy flavor, almost akin to molasses. Use it for Indonesian or Asian cooking or anywhere you might like a funky, barbecue sauce-like glaze.
Aux Co. Ltd. Oroshi Spoon
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.
Suehiro Ceramic Water Wheel Knife Sharpener for Double Beveled Knife
This easy-to-use sharpener is the perfect introduction for anyone new to knife maintenance. The handheld Suehiro sharpener contains two synthetic whetstones, which are made from ceramic and joined together to form a ‘roller.’ The roller is fitted inside a refillable water tank at the exact angle for sharpening. To use, simply add water to the tank (whetstones work best when wet), grip the handle, and run a knife back and forth through the roller.
The Suehiro is recommended for the occasional full sharpening, rather than daily honing. Steel honing rods are popular among home cooks for their speed and convenience, but what many don’t realize is that they don’t actually provide a long-lasting edge on your blade. This innovative knife sharpener solves that problem, delivering a better edge every time in a convenient hand-held package that does the job in a fraction of the time.
Shibanuma Yakiniku BBQ Sauce
Translating to “grilled meat” in Japanese, yakiniku is a social style of cooking and eating around a communal grill. Popular throughout Japan, family and friends gather around a tabletop grill to cook meat, vegetables and fish together before dipping them into a several kinds of yakiniku sauces. Shibanuma’s Yakiniku BBQ Sauce is inspired by this concept. Crafted by a 330-year-old esteemed Japanese soy sauce maker, it is no surprise that the first ingredient in this sauce is an umami-rich soy sauce, which is brewed and aged in wooden barrels. The soy is then combined with onion, fruity apple and zingy sansho pepper—a fragrant and floral Japanese peppercorn—to cut through the richness and balance out the flavors. The result? A complex grilling sauce that works just as well as a marinade as it does drizzled over rice.
Suehiro Double Brewed Soy Sauce
Since 1879, Suehiro has used the same traditional methods to make their small-batch soy sauces in Japan’s Tatsuno City, Hyogo Prefecture. We were especially wowed by their Double-Brewed Soy Sauce, or Saishikomi, which is deeply layered in comparison to any run-of-the-mill grocery version. Unlike most on the market, this soy is brewed not once but twice, first delicately with soybeans, wheat, salt, water and koji. Then, the mixture is brewed again, this time without salt or water, yielding an earthy, rich and viscous soy sauce that stands apart. It’s salty, but less so than other brands, with funky, coffee-like notes that round out into a dark, almost burnt caramelly sweetness. Use it anywhere you would soy sauce, but we love it most served simply with dishes that have few ingredients, like hand rolls and sashimi.
Verve Culture Small Molinillo Whisk
This intricate wooden whisk from Mexico is the traditional tool used to prepare Mexican hot chocolate. Each molinillo is beautifully carved by hand from a single piece of alder wood, resulting in a one-of-a-kind product. And the designs aren't just decorative—the extra nooks and crannies are great for aerating liquid, resulting in an especially creamy drink. Simply roll the shaft back and forth between your palms to whip milk into a light, frothy consistency. For the most authentic experience preparing your hot chocolate and a visually appealing addition to your kitchen, Mexico's time-tested molinillo is perfect.
Haci Bekir Turkish Delight—Assorted Date and Nut
From the company that made Turkish delight famous, Haci Bekir, these Turkish delights (lokum) come in an assortment of date and nut flavors. We found these in Istanbul, and they’re the most authentic version of traditional Turkish lokum we’ve been able to get in the States. The confection has a pleasant sweetness from dates and sugar that doesn’t overpower—unlike some sugary-sweet, mass-produced versions of this classic Turkish treat. Sink your teeth into its chewy, supple texture—hazelnuts and pistachios add a light crunchiness and clean, simple flavor.
Aux Co. Ltd. Mizukiri Ladle
Typical colanders can be too large and unwieldy for quick draining jobs. That’s why we keep this ladle close by. Made in Japan, it’s ideal for draining small amounts of pasta, boiled/blanched veggies and any other application where you need to drain foods out of liquid. Simply scoop and tilt the ladle back to allow liquid to drain through the slots. Plus, it’s compact enough to be used for tableside serving.
Milk Street: Kitchin-tan™ Japanese-Style Utility Knife
THE MILK STREET KITCHIN-TAN WILL SHIP in 2-3 Business Days.
When a chef’s knife is too big, and a paring knife is too small, the Milk Street Kitchin-tan is the perfect pinch hitter. We borrowed elements from our favorite Western- and Japanese-style knives to create this all-purpose utility knife. From making sandwiches to chopping herbs, dicing shallots and cutting fruit, this 5½-inch blade will become the go-to knife for all of your between jobs. It has a comfortable grip, cuts like a dream and has a curved sheepsfoot tip, which makes the knife safer to use.
Miya Company Sendan Blue Sushi Set
Your takeout has never looked so good. Made in Japan, this sushi set built for two includes two sets of wooden chopsticks, two large rectangular plates and two small bowls for soy sauce—all stunningly packaged in a gift box. The unique navy and white swirled design gives a modern twist to classic Japanese blue and white pottery.
Aux Co. Ltd. Miso Muddler
Made in Japan, this unique tool doubles as a measuring tool and a whisk, giving you the perfect dollop of miso every time for consistent cooking. Simply dip the rounded wire end into your tub of miso, turn it and gently lift it out to get a consistently portioned blob of miso every time. Then, just stir the whisk-like tool in your pot to dissolve the miso. Bonus: No need to clean more than one utensil. Available in both small (1 tablespoon) and large (2 tablespoon) options.
Serrv International Double Vine Bread Warmer in Natural Basket
Made by artisans in Bangladesh, this beautiful terra cotta container warms rolls and bread through contact after the pottery has been heated up in the oven. Fashioned from terracotta clay that’s gathered by hand along riverbanks before it’s cleaned, thickened, molded and fired at a low temperature, this oven-safe stone features a lovely nature-inspired design as well as a whitewash, which softens the material’s natural reddish hue. It sits in a handwoven basket of kaisa grass and palm leaves, which are fast-growing local resources.
Verve Culture Mexican Servilletas - Set of 4
These versatile and vibrant Mexican servilletas, which come in a set of four, are an ideal piece to upgrade your table schemes for the holidays. Handmade by Mexican artisans and inspired by traditional pre-Hispanic fabric-making practices, you’ll love the mix of modern designs and striking colors that exemplify Mexico's rich culture.
Tastëlanghe IGP Piedmont Hazelnuts
Incredibly hard to find in the U.S., Tonda Gentile hazelnuts are considered some of the best in the world. Sweet, nutty and satisfyingly crunchy, these shelled, whole toasted ones are perfectly browned with a clean taste on the finish. Grown exclusively in the Langhe area of Piedmont, Italy, Tastëlanghe has been producing them since 1891. These hazelnuts will shine in dishes from sweet cakes, creams and cookies to savory salads. Or just snack on them whole.
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