Japan Eats!
Episodes
Episode 91: Why Does Aged Raw Fish Taste Great?
24 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Idan Elkon, co-owner of Ichimura, a ten seat sushi bar serving an omakas...
Episode 90: Japanese School Lunch
17 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by Atsuko Quirk, a documentary filmmaker and environmental activist. Her recent short doc...
Episode 89: What is Iekei Ramen?
10 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode of Japan Eats, host Akiko is joined in studio by Jimmy Matsushima of E.A.K. Ramen. Jimmy talks about his background as a ...
Episode 88: Beyond Sushi
26 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode, Akiko Katayama discusses Japanese food, vegetarianism, and much more with Guy Vaknin, Owner and Executive Chef of Beyond Sushi...
Episode 87: Translating the History of Japanese Americans
12 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Craig Koketsu, a third generation Japanese-American and chef-partner of Fourth...
Episode 86: Inspired by Japanese Cuisine
05 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
On an all new episode of Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by Nils Norén of Asil Limited, a consulting company for the hospitality indu...
Episode 85: The Craftsmen Behind Your Glass of Sake
29 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Masahiro Takeda of Wine of Japan, the leading national importer and dist...
Episode 84: Serving Japanese Tea for 300 Years
22 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by Tomoko Honda of Ippodo Tea in Midtown Manhattan, the first street-front location of the shop...
Episode 83: Tsukemono: The Unexplored World of Japanese Pickles
15 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode of Japan Eats, host Akiko is joined in studio by Japanese cuisine specialist Elizabeth Andoh. Elizabeth talks about the f...
Episode 82: Nabe: Japanese Hot Pot
08 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
On the season premiere of Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Chef Tadashi Ono Tadashi Ono was born and raised in Tokyo, where ...
Episode 81: What Exactly Is Wagyu?
17 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
On the season finale of Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Ryuta Kawano of Zen Noh, a passionate advocate of wagyu who h...
Episode 80: My Career in Sake
10 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode of Japan Eats, sake specialist Monica Samuels joins Akiko in studio for a conversation about Monica's American-Japanese backgro...
Episode 79: Blue Bottle Coffee & Japanese Coffee Culture
27 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode of Japan Eats, Akiko is joined in studio by James Freeman, founder and CEO of Blue Bottle Coffee. James talks about his pursuit...
Episode 78: 50/50: The Second Generation’s Japanese Cuisine
20 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Maiko Kyogoku, owner of Bessou, a restaurant in Noho featuring modern takes on...
Episode 77: Born to Make Sushi
13 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by Keizo Seki, owner and founder of Sushi Zo. Keizo Seki was born in Osaka, Japan. His li...
Episode 76: The Quilted Giraffe: A Japanese Legacy
06 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode of Japan Eats, host Akiko is joined in studio by restaurant industry legend Barry Wine, former chef and owner of The Quilted Gi...
Episode 75: The CIA's New Japanese Culinary Program
27 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by Howie Velie, Associate Dean of Culinary Arts at the Culinary Institute of America, and culin...
Episode 74: Sumo Stew!!!
20 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by fellow HRN hosts Harry Rosenblum and Michael Harlan Turkell, creators of the S...
Episode 73: Pursuing a New Style of Ramen
13 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by San Francisco's Chef Richie Nakano. In 2010, Nakano opened Hapa Ramen as a pop-up food stand...
Episode 72: Made in Brooklyn
06 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in studio by chef and entrepreneur Makoto Suzuki, owner of several restaurants in Brooklyn, ...
Episode 71: A Japanese Take on Cocktails
30 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Masahiro Urushido, bar manager of Saxon + Parole in New York's East Vill...
Episode 70: What is Kindai Tuna?
23 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in studio by Nick Sakagami, the only Certified Seafood Master by Tsukiji Fish Market (Tokyo) wh...
Episode 69: You Think You Know Udon?
16 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in studio by chef and udon specialist Joji Uematsu. Uematsu is the vice president of Dining Inn...
Episode 68: Into the Woods: An American’s Journey in a Japanese Village
09 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
On the season premiere of Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by Douglas Diaz, a visual artist whose work has been strongly influenced by the Ja...
Episode 67: The Art of Soba
12 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
On the season finale of Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Chef Mutsuko Soma, formerly of Seattle's Miyabi 45th. Soma st...
Episode 66: Expressing the Seasons
28 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Today on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by David Kinch of Los Gatos' Manresa. David tells us about cooking in the midst of Ca...
Episode 65: Luca Catalfamo of Casa Ramen
21 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by Luca Catalfamo, chef and owner of Casa Ramen, the first restaurant dedicated to ramen in Mil...
Episode 64: Edwyn Ferrari of Great Northern Food Hall
14 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Edwyn Ferrari, head chef of Great Northern Food Hall. "Scandinavian" might not...
Episode 63: Kaiseki Takes Root in Seattle
07 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by Shota Nakajima, the chef and owner of Naka in Seattle. Chef Shota began his culinary journey...
Episode 62: The Sake Ambassador at a Liquor Shop
31 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Leonard Phillips, the owner of Ambassador Wines & Spirits in Midtown Manha...
Episode 61: One Thing, Entirely Eaten
24 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Elizabeth Andoh was born and raised in America and is not ethnically Japanese, but Japan has been her home for more than four decades. She received he...
Episode 60: Inspired by Tea
17 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by Stefen Ramirez of Tea Dealers, which aims to introduce premium teas to America by offe...
Episode 59: Teaching the Subtleties of Japanese Cuisine
10 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by Hiroko Shimbo, an authority on Japanese cuisine who has earned world-wide recognition....
Episode 58: Born into a Chef's Family in Kyoto
03 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Today on Japan Eats, we're joined by restaurant consultant Atsushi Nakahigashi, who's swinging by New York all the way from Kyoto. Nakahigashi is from...
Episode 57: West Meets Japan at This Patisserie
26 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Tomoko Kato, an alum of Bouley and Le Bernardin who is behind the dessert bar ...
Episode 56: Beyond Fishmonger
19 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by managers Luke Davin and Emma Kramer of Osakana fish market. Osakana is a Japan...
Episode 55: Teaming Up with Sake Brewers
12 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
On the season premiere of Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Henry Sidel, president of Joto Sake. Joto is Japanese for “high...
Episode 54: How I Became the World's Best Bartender
15 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Shingo Gokan, head bartender of Angel’s Share and winner of the Bacardi Glob...
Episode 53: The Story of a Sake Ninja
08 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Chris Johnson, aka The Sake Ninja. As a sake sommelier, Johnson is one of the ...
Episode 52: My Own Shochu Distillery
01 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Jesse Falowitz, whose long travels around Asia finally lead to his opening a s...
Episode 51: What is Tea Ceremony?
25 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Japanese tea ceremony instructor Keiko Kitazawa Koch. Keiko was born and raise...
Episode 50: A Ramen Legend from Japan
18 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Chef Shigetoshi Nakamura, who recently debuted his first restaurant in the Uni...
Episode 49: Forager: Steward of the Land
11 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Tama Matsuoka Wong, a forager, weed eater, meadow doctor, lawyer and mother of...
Episode 48: Image of Japanese Life
27 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Everett Kennedy Brown, a photographer working in Japan for the past 28 years w...
Episode 47: The Birth of Saké
20 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Filmmaker Erik Shirai joins us in the studio to tell us all about the making of his latest documentary, The Birth of Saké, which grants an inside loo...
Episode 46: The Art of Ice
06 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode of Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by ice sculptor Shintaro Okamoto. He is the owner of Okamoto Studio,...
Episode 45: Many Seasons of Tableware
23 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Kumiko Jitsukawa, the founder of Ki-Chu New York, a traditional Japanese table...
Episode 44: Connecting Tea Farmers & New Yorkers
16 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Zach Mangan, the founder of the kettl tea compay. Sourced from Nagano’s fame...
Episode 43: No, It is Not Wagyu!
09 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Andy Moran, manager at Japan Premium Beef, a specialty butcher shop in New Yor...
Episode 42: Born into a Sake Brewery
02 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode of Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined by Kenji Ichishima, owner of the Ichishima Sake Brewery. Born and raised in ...
Episode 41: Introducing Wabi-Sabi Spirits to New Yorkers
25 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Stephen Globus, a native New Yorker who has long been involved with cultural f...
Episode 40: Discover Sake!
11 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, Akiko is joined by sake expert Chizuko Niikawa-Helton. Ms. Niikawa, grew up on the Temple grounds of the Zen Buddhist Temple ...
Episode 39: The Frontier of Ramen
04 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode of Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by Keizo Shimamoto, creator of the Original Ramen Burger. He has wor...
Episode 38: The Art of Tenugui
28 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode of Japan Eats, Akiko is joined in the studio by Ruri Kippenbrock, the founder of wuhao newyork Inc. The company specializes in ...
Episode 37: An American Sushi Chef
21 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode of Japan Eats, Akiko is joined in the studio by Robby Cook, the executive sushi chef of Morimoto in New York. Robby is also the...
Episode 36: My Life As A Sake Brewer
14 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of Japan Eats, Akiko is joined in the studio by Todd Bellomy, brewer and co-founder of Dovetail Sake, Massachusetts’ fir...
Episode 35: Dedicated to Fish
07 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of Japan Eats, Akiko is joined in the studio by Yuji Haraguchi, owner of the restaurants Okonomi and YUJI Ramen. By day, Ok...
Episode 34: Bringing a Green Tea Culture to the U.S.
29 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama welcomes guest Rona Tison, the senior vice president of corporate relations at ITO EN, ...
Episode 33: Sumo Food
22 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode of Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama welcomes guest Gaku Shibata, owner of the restaurants Azasu and Yoppari in New York’s Lowe...
Episode 32: The Life of a Sake Ambassador
15 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
After discovering premium sake for the first time in 2005, today’s guest Tim Sullivan went on to found UrbanSake.com, which is now America’s longe...
Episode 31: It All Started in Japan
08 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Chef Michael Anthony, Executive Chef of Gramercy Tavern and Untitled of the Union Square Hospitality Group talks with Japan Eats host Akiko Katayama a...
Episode 30: From French Chef To Ramen Master
01 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Over his 25‐year career, Chef Takashi Yagihashi has been lauded by consumers and critics alike for his exquisite ways of melding contemporary Fren...
Episode 29: The Crimson & Sparrow: A Lawyer’s Dream Comes True
25 Jan 2016
Contributed by Lukas
John’s interest in cooking began with his curiosity in his grandmother’s expansive garden, learning early about the importance of seasonality, fla...
Episode 28: The Sushi Explorer
18 Jan 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Tune in to Japan Eats as host Akiko Katayama is in studio with Chef Marco Moreira. Brazilian-born chef Marco Moreira arrived in New York City in 1982 ...
Episode 27: A Food Critic’s View on NYC Japanese Restaurants
11 Jan 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Japan Eats is brand new this week with host Akiko Katayama in studio with food critic and author, Robert Sietsema. Presently editor for Eater, Rober...
Episode 26: Science in Japanese Food
04 Jan 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Japan Eats returns for 2016 with none other than the man who wrote the book on science and cooking, Harold McGee. His career defining book, On Food ...
Episode 25: The Sake Evangelist, John Gauntner
14 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Known as “The Sake Guy,” and “The Sake Evangelist,” John Gauntner is recognized as the world’s leading non-Japanese sake expert and this wee...
Episode 24: Applied Japanese Cuisine
07 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Wylie Dufresne is in studio with Akiko this week for an intriguing episode of Japan Eats! Hinting at his new project opening in the new year, Wylie ...
Episode 23: Obsessed with Shochu
23 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
“Kampai!” or “Cheers!” This week on Japan Eats host Akiko Katayama welcomes Stephen Lyman to the studio talking all about the Japanese alcohol...
Episode 22: Natto: A Stinky Superfood
16 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever heard of natto? Otherwise known as a traditional Japanese food made from soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis, natto is known for ...
Episode 21: Harris Salat of Ganso
09 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
How does one go from a food writer to a restaurant owner? Find out on a brand new episode of Japan Eats. Akiko Katayama is joined by Harris Salat, Gan...
Episode 20: In Pursuit of Japanese Tea
02 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats , host Akiko Katayama is in studio with Sebastian Beckwith, owner at In the Pursuit of Tea. In Pursuit of Tea is a company ...
Episode 19: Cooking On a Farm in Japan
26 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
This week on _ Japan Eats _, host Akiko Katayama is in studio with author, cook, and farmer, Nancy Singleton Hachisu. Leaving California for Japan i...
Episode 18: The Essence of Washoku
19 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Born and raised in New York, though has called Japan home for more than four decades, writer and Japanese Food Culture Specialist Elizabeth Andoh join...
Episode 17: Chef Michael Romano
12 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Chef Michael Romano is in studio for Japan Eats this week with host Akiko Katayama. Talking his impressive background beginning at the iconic Serend...
Episode 16: Ivan Ramen
05 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Ivan Orkin is in studio with host Akiko Katayama this week for Japan Eats! Talking how this self described “Jewish kid from Long Island” fell in...
Episode 15: The Secret of Japanese Cocktails
28 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Kenta Goto, guest on this week’s episode of Japan Eats, hosted by Akiko Katayama. Kenta is the mastermind behind the newly opened Japanese-Am...
Episode 14: The Making of Japan Town
21 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Japan Eats is back! Host Akiko Katayama welcomes Shuho Yagi, owner of TIC Group, to the studio for a talk about his life and times, building a succe...
Episode 13: Udon & Jazz!
10 Aug 2015
Contributed by Lukas
What do Japanese udon and jazz music have in common? Tune in to Japan Eats as Akiko Katayama is in studio with musician Kyoko Oyobe who hails from an ...
Episode 12: Art of Japanese Knives
27 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Japan is a land of long traditions including the intricate art of crafting Japanese knives, and today on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is sitting do...
Episode 11: Know Your Noodles, Know Your Ramen
20 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats host Akiko Katayama interviews Kenshiro Uki of Sun Noodles for a discussion all about the production of ramen. Kenshiro talks ...
Episode 10: In Pursuit of Umami
13 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayam is in studio with Tim Cushman, the heralded chef and owner of O Ya with locations in Boston and most recen...
Episode 9: What is Japanese Curry?
06 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats host Akiko Katayama interviews the president of Go!Go! Curry Tomoko Omori, for a discussion all about the popularity of curry ...
Episode 8: Shochu is your new Whisky!
29 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Japan Eats host Akiko interviews the former bartender of Le Bernardin, Brian Matthys, about his love of the Japanese distilled beverage, ...
Episode 7: An American Sake Samurai
22 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Today on Japan Eats, Akiko is sitting down with one of only 48 “Sake Samurais” in the world as honored by the Japan Sake Brewers Association – R...
Episode 6: Story of Matcha
15 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Matcha is, without a doubt, gaining popularity in the United States and is the topic of discussion on this week’s Japan Eats. Guest Michelle Gardner...
Episode 5: Japanese Food Beyond Sushi & Ramen
08 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Go beyond sushi and ramen and deeper into the rustic foods of Japan on a brand new episode of Japan Eats!. Host Akiko Katayama is joined by Tadashi On...
Episode 4: Japanese in Venice
01 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Jaeckle joins host Akiko Katayama this week on Japan Eats for a discussion about how he became a chef, and why he decided to cook so many differ...
Episode 3: Rick Smith of Sakaya NYC
18 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Rick Smith, owner of Sakaya, joins host Akiko Katayama in studio today for a conversation all about Sake. Rick starts the show by giving us all an edu...
Episode 2: Fish Ambassador from Ramen Country
11 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Yuji Haraguchi, the chef behind OKONOMI // YUJI Ramen, joins Akiko Katayama for an information-filled episode of Japan Eats. Yuji explains how he embr...
Episode 1: Brooklyn Kitchen / The Meat Hook
11 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Japan Eats! Japan Eats is a weekly radio show from Akiko Katayama, a food writer and a director of the non-profit organization The New York...