Makiko Itoh
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makiwi.bsky.social
Makiko Itoh
@makiwi.bsky.social
370 followers 190 following 87 posts
Food & culture writer, Japanese nomad, living with cancer, dreaming of mobility. Funassyi, NY Mets fan.
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makiwi.bsky.social
My new book Real Japanese Cooking is out on July 8th!

www.justhungry.com/real-japanes...
May 26, 2025 at 12:03 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
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...
March 18, 2024 at 6:04 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
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...
February 5, 2024 at 5:50 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
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
makiwi.bsky.social
Some homemade Japanese Christmas cakes to end my annual Christmas cake season. Happy holidays everyone!
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 22, 2023 at 10:33 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
Christmas cakes from 2 of my favorites; Shiseido Parlor in Ginza, and Gajoen Hotel in Moguro.
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 21, 2023 at 7:53 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
4more cakes from hotels in Tokyo and Yokohama
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 20, 2023 at 8:04 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
4 Christmas cakes from hotels is Tokyo
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 20, 2023 at 8:03 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
4 more Christmas cakes from hotels in Osaka and Kyoto.
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 18, 2023 at 10:59 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
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
December 17, 2023 at 10:52 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
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...
December 17, 2023 at 9:10 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
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
December 16, 2023 at 8:27 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
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
December 15, 2023 at 8:58 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
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
December 15, 2023 at 1:46 AM
makiwi.bsky.social
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
December 13, 2023 at 7:17 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
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
December 12, 2023 at 6:16 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
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
December 11, 2023 at 9:25 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
And….even more 7-11 Japan Christmas cakes.
December 10, 2023 at 10:05 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
Even more Christmas cakes from 7-11 Japan The first 2 here are allergen free ones. 
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 10, 2023 at 10:03 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
4 more 7-11 Christmas cakes
December 9, 2023 at 10:01 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
Four Christmas cakes sold by Seven Eleven Japan created by famous pâtissiers:chocolatiers.
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 9, 2023 at 9:59 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
4 elegant Christmas cakes from Pâtisserie Mont St. Clair in Meguro, Tokyo, headed by chef Hironobu Tsujiguchi.
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 8, 2023 at 10:11 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
The amazing Christmas Wish From Steiff Santa cake from the Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho Hotel has a Steiff bear faithfully recreated in chocolate right down to the ear tag.
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 7, 2023 at 4:39 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
Lars Nootbaar on a Japanese variety/chat show rn
December 7, 2023 at 12:33 PM
makiwi.bsky.social
Cute and colorful ice cream Christmas cakes from Baskin Robbins, better known as Thirty-One Ice Cream in Japan: a Pokémon cake, a My Melody/Kuromi cake, a Disney cake and a Sumikkogurashi cake.
#Christmascakesinjapan
#Christmascakes2023
December 6, 2023 at 10:48 PM