Makiko Itoh
@makiwi.bsky.social
Food & culture writer, Japanese nomad, living with cancer, dreaming of mobility. Funassyi, NY Mets fan.
May 26, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Here is my latest for The Japan Times - a recipe for what is called “ dry curry” in Japan. It’s essentially a stir fried meat mix that is mixed into plain rice. Read about how this is considered a classic in Japan, its Mughal roots, and more.
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/08...
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/08...
Fight fiery summer temps with this dry Japanese curry
This recipe is quick to prepare and can be made in advance, making it great for the hot summer months when you don't want to spend too much time in the kitchen.
www.japantimes.co.jp
August 13, 2024 at 3:35 PM
Here is my latest for The Japan Times - a recipe for what is called “ dry curry” in Japan. It’s essentially a stir fried meat mix that is mixed into plain rice. Read about how this is considered a classic in Japan, its Mughal roots, and more.
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/08...
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/08...
The stigma canola/rapeseed oil has gathered recently is just weird.
Rapeseed/canola oil (natane abura) is widely used in Japan and regarded as fine.
Same in Switzerland (Rapsöl)
Both places have healthier, less obese, longer living populations than the US.
Rapeseed/canola oil (natane abura) is widely used in Japan and regarded as fine.
Same in Switzerland (Rapsöl)
Both places have healthier, less obese, longer living populations than the US.
July 12, 2024 at 7:09 PM
The stigma canola/rapeseed oil has gathered recently is just weird.
Rapeseed/canola oil (natane abura) is widely used in Japan and regarded as fine.
Same in Switzerland (Rapsöl)
Both places have healthier, less obese, longer living populations than the US.
Rapeseed/canola oil (natane abura) is widely used in Japan and regarded as fine.
Same in Switzerland (Rapsöl)
Both places have healthier, less obese, longer living populations than the US.
here is my latest for the Japan Times- two recipes in fact. The main one is for pork spare ribs, which are very quick to cook and tasty. If you cont have black vinegar, balsamic vinegar will be sweeter but is a good alternative.
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/06...
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/06...
Eat your way to a bit of heat relief
Eating small amounts of nutritionally dense yet balanced foods at regular time periods can help keep Japan’s summer doldrums at bay.
www.japantimes.co.jp
July 1, 2024 at 7:06 PM
here is my latest for the Japan Times- two recipes in fact. The main one is for pork spare ribs, which are very quick to cook and tasty. If you cont have black vinegar, balsamic vinegar will be sweeter but is a good alternative.
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/06...
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/06...
My latest for the Japan Times is a recipe for the vegan tofu dumplings called ganmodoki or hiryōzu.
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/06...
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/06...
Vegan dumplings to please any Buddhist monk
Whatever you call these tasty dumplings, feel free to mix any finely cut vegetables into the tofu base besides the ones in the recipe.
www.japantimes.co.jp
June 4, 2024 at 1:16 PM
My latest for the Japan Times is a recipe for the vegan tofu dumplings called ganmodoki or hiryōzu.
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/06...
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/06...
My latest for The Japan Times is about tender spring cabbage, which is a major thing in Japan at this time of year. It is much softer than regular cabbage, and a little sweet. And yes, the wasabi mayo really does work and is not too spicy!
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/03...
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/03...
March 18, 2024 at 6:04 PM
My latest for The Japan Times is about tender spring cabbage, which is a major thing in Japan at this time of year. It is much softer than regular cabbage, and a little sweet. And yes, the wasabi mayo really does work and is not too spicy!
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/03...
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/03...
I've gone back to familiar territory for the Japan Times this time to talk about bento! If you own my bento cookbooks this may seem old hat to you, but hopefully I got my point across in the limited space I have in the newspaper.
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/02...
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/02...
February 25, 2024 at 12:28 PM
I've gone back to familiar territory for the Japan Times this time to talk about bento! If you own my bento cookbooks this may seem old hat to you, but hopefully I got my point across in the limited space I have in the newspaper.
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/02...
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/02...
This is the latest Japan Times article, which was published on Sunday. It is for a dish that is very nostalgic for me - menchikatsu, which is kind of like a deep fried breaded hamburger steak.
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/02...
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/02...
February 5, 2024 at 5:50 PM
This is the latest Japan Times article, which was published on Sunday. It is for a dish that is very nostalgic for me - menchikatsu, which is kind of like a deep fried breaded hamburger steak.
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/02...
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/02...
Here is the latest Japan Times article that was published Sunday. The recipe is for a warming daikon radish and pork dish accented with marmalade. It's really good - I hope you give it a try!
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/01...
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/01...
January 24, 2024 at 3:01 PM
Here is the latest Japan Times article that was published Sunday. The recipe is for a warming daikon radish and pork dish accented with marmalade. It's really good - I hope you give it a try!
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/01...
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/01...
Happy New Year! It’s the Year of the Dragon! May it be a good one for you!
December 31, 2023 at 11:03 PM
Happy New Year! It’s the Year of the Dragon! May it be a good one for you!
Some homemade Japanese Christmas cakes to end my annual Christmas cake season. Happy holidays everyone!
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 22, 2023 at 10:33 PM
Some homemade Japanese Christmas cakes to end my annual Christmas cake season. Happy holidays everyone!
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
Lars.Nootbaar’s mom is going to be a guest on a year-end news TV special in Japan 🤔
December 21, 2023 at 10:21 PM
Lars.Nootbaar’s mom is going to be a guest on a year-end news TV special in Japan 🤔
Christmas cakes from 2 of my favorites; Shiseido Parlor in Ginza, and Gajoen Hotel in Moguro.
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 21, 2023 at 7:53 PM
Christmas cakes from 2 of my favorites; Shiseido Parlor in Ginza, and Gajoen Hotel in Moguro.
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 20, 2023 at 8:03 PM
December 18, 2023 at 10:59 PM
The Christmas Train Cake from the Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo in Maruouchi, Tokyo combines a chestnut shortcake, a pound cake and a chestnut mousse cake into a cute train form. 20x7cm, 16,000 yen (US$113/ €103 ).
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 17, 2023 at 10:52 PM
The Christmas Train Cake from the Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo in Maruouchi, Tokyo combines a chestnut shortcake, a pound cake and a chestnut mousse cake into a cute train form. 20x7cm, 16,000 yen (US$113/ €103 ).
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
Here is my latest article/recipe for The Japan Times. It is for a New Years osechi classic, datemaki. I hope you give it a try! Incidentally, you can use cornstarch instead of potato starch.
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2023/12...
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2023/12...
December 17, 2023 at 9:10 PM
Here is my latest article/recipe for The Japan Times. It is for a New Years osechi classic, datemaki. I hope you give it a try! Incidentally, you can use cornstarch instead of potato starch.
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2023/12...
www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2023/12...
The Cacao Pod Noël from EN VEDETTE in the Tokyu Food Hall Edge in Shibuya Scramble Square is shaped like a big cacao pod. Inside are 7 layers -chocolate mousse, orange gelée, banana ganache etc..
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 16, 2023 at 8:27 PM
The Cacao Pod Noël from EN VEDETTE in the Tokyu Food Hall Edge in Shibuya Scramble Square is shaped like a big cacao pod. Inside are 7 layers -chocolate mousse, orange gelée, banana ganache etc..
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
The beautiful red and white Kiwami Gâteau Six Fraises from the Chinzansō hotel in Tokyo. The swirly cream is reminiscent of their famous artificially generated “cloud sea” (unkai 雲海).
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 15, 2023 at 8:58 PM
The beautiful red and white Kiwami Gâteau Six Fraises from the Chinzansō hotel in Tokyo. The swirly cream is reminiscent of their famous artificially generated “cloud sea” (unkai 雲海).
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
The Ultime Chocolat Noël 2023 from Louange Tokyo La Musée in Roppongi and Ginza is a chocolate Christmas cake that looks like a teddy bear peeking out of a gift box!
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 15, 2023 at 1:46 AM
The Ultime Chocolat Noël 2023 from Louange Tokyo La Musée in Roppongi and Ginza is a chocolate Christmas cake that looks like a teddy bear peeking out of a gift box!
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
The Christmas Merry-Go-Round cake from the Shin Yokohama Prince Hotel is a colorful and intricate chocolate merry-go-round decorated with 2 kinds of chocolate bonbons, which encases 4 different cakes. .
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 13, 2023 at 7:17 PM
The Christmas Merry-Go-Round cake from the Shin Yokohama Prince Hotel is a colorful and intricate chocolate merry-go-round decorated with 2 kinds of chocolate bonbons, which encases 4 different cakes. .
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
The annual look at KFC (or Kentucky as it’s called) Japan’s Christmas chicken offerings! Whole roast chicken with stuffing, chocolate cake, shrimp gratin, and lots of fried chicken! Ho ho ho!
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 12, 2023 at 6:16 PM
The annual look at KFC (or Kentucky as it’s called) Japan’s Christmas chicken offerings! Whole roast chicken with stuffing, chocolate cake, shrimp gratin, and lots of fried chicken! Ho ho ho!
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
The Hexen Haus from the Grant Hyatt Tokyo in Roppongi is a beautifully detailed gingerbread house. You can even see the tracks of Santa’s sleigh.
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 11, 2023 at 9:25 PM
The Hexen Haus from the Grant Hyatt Tokyo in Roppongi is a beautifully detailed gingerbread house. You can even see the tracks of Santa’s sleigh.
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
Even more Christmas cakes from 7-11 Japan The first 2 here are allergen free ones. 
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 10, 2023 at 10:03 PM
Even more Christmas cakes from 7-11 Japan The first 2 here are allergen free ones. 
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
Four Christmas cakes sold by Seven Eleven Japan created by famous pâtissiers:chocolatiers.
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 9, 2023 at 9:59 PM
Four Christmas cakes sold by Seven Eleven Japan created by famous pâtissiers:chocolatiers.
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023