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Agar — This algae-based jelly makes for great healthy desserts!
A Japanese innovation Agar might not be that well known around the world, but in Japan we have been using it in our cooking and...
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Aburaage — Deep Fried Tofu
Soy — an integral part of the traditional Japanese diet Aburaage is a kind of deep fried tofu. It freezes well, and is a handy addition...
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Asparagus - Edible Medicine
An early summer vegetable It’s asparagus season now in my native Hokkaido — time to enjoy these succulent shoots at their best! Asparagus...
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Harusame (lit. “Spring Rain”) - Asia’s Gluten Free Noodle!
The noodle of choice in Zen cooking Harusame noodles are an Asian type of gluten free noodle made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, or mung...
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Maitake - Intensely Nutritious Mushrooms
The enzymes in maitake make meat tender, and are good for you too! Maitake mushrooms, a member of the Polyporaceae family of fungi, have...
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Mackerel - Improves Blood Circulation
This blue fish is a nutritional treasure-trove! Mackerel is a blue fish that is loved worldwide, and it also happens to be a veritable...
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Udon - Versatile Wheat Noodles
The versatile Japanese cousin of pasta Udon noodles, made from wheat flour, are unique to Japan. Many udon restaurants make their own...
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"Gobo" Burdock Root - Hidden Star of the Vegetable World
An unassuming but essential supporting sta I know it might not look that appetizing at first glance, but burdock root is in fact an...
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Okara - A Tofu Byproduct, Rediscovered
Tofu and soy milk factory scraps are actually a nutritional champion! Okara is the pulp that is left over when soy beans are filtered to...
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Soybeans "The Meat of The Field"
Soybeans form the heart of the Japanese diet We Japanese have been eating soy products for generations. Soy sauce, miso and tofu are all...