I’m delighted to share that my cookbook, The Sushi Experience, is now available on CKBK.
CKBK is a digital platform offering access to the full content of hundreds of the world’s best cookbooks.
CKBK is a subscription service, licensed from leading publishers, that brings together over 1,000 curated cookbooks through the 1000 Cookbooks project. It’s an incredible resource for anyone who loves cooking, learning, and exploring culinary traditions from around the world.
By using this special link, you’ll receive 25% off a Premium Membership, which gives you unlimited access to more than 1,000 cookbooks, including The Sushi Experience.
About The Sushi Experience
The Sushi Experience is a comprehensive guide to sushi for both home cooks and professionals. Inside, you’ll find:
A look at the history and traditions of sushi.
Guidance on how to order at a sushi bar.
Step-by-step, illustrated instructions for preparing sushi rice, fillings, and toppings.
Tips for selecting, handling, and preparing fish safely.
This book was written to help you not only make sushi at home but also better understand and appreciate the cultural significance behind this beloved Japanese cuisine.
Explore The Sushi Experience on CKBK and take advantage of the 25% discount on Premium Membership here.
When we discuss our health and the health of the earth, we refer to the term "Shindo-fuji" (身土不二), which means that our body 身 and the soil 土are inseparable 不二.
In other words, consuming locally grown food products and drinking clean local water are vital to maintaining our well-being.
This term derives from Buddhist philosophy and describes the principal idea of interdependence and interconnectedness of all phenomena in the natural world. It teaches us to be mindful and respectful of all things we encounter.
I depend on nutrient-dense and flavor-packed locally grown vegetables.
Some of the farmers practice regenerative agriculture to preserve the health of the soil and environment, produce and deliver healthy vegetables to local consumers, and ensure the well-being of farm workers.
Long Season Farm in Kerhonkson is one of them.
I made a visit to the farm in June to find out how the delicious vegetables which I purchase are raised by Sam, the owner-farmer, and his employees. I harvested some of the shun (height of the season) vegetables and used them to prepare a Japanese vegetable lunch for the farmers.
Long Season Farm, Kerhonkson, NY, website states that "Our farm is driven by core values that center on care for the human and organic community that holds us. We farm on 10 acres of leased Unadilla Silt Loam at the Arrowhead Agricultural Center.
We employ human-scale techniques for harvesting and cultivation, and utilize a small tractor to enhance our efficiency. We are working towards creating a viable farm that feeds our community, pays farmers fair wages, and fosters soil and ecological health for future generations and the community.
We currently farm with soil building in mind. We use cover crops, compost, and straw mulch to build and cover the soil. We use tillage, silage tarps, and mulch to prepare the soil for plantings. Our farming methods are ever evolving, and we hope to work towards sustainability at every move."
For the lunch preparation, I was led to an outside space where a tap water sink and a weathered barbecue grill stood. Boiling water multiple times to cook vegetables was challenging under this situation.
Still, I managed to prepare snack peas soaked in flavored-dashi sauce, Kale and napa cabbage ohitashi, goma-ae salad, mixed grilled vegetables (cauliflower flower, zucchini, and fennel bulb) with shoyu, sake and maple syrup sauce, cucumber with red miso sauce, a bibb green salad with home-made maya lemon ponzu dressing, miso soup made with vegetable scraps, and onigiri rice balls.
I am honored to share my recent feature on Beyond Japan NYC.
Beyond Japan NYC is a YouTube channel dedicated to spotlighting the voices and stories of Japanese culture in New York and beyond. In this interview, I spoke about my journey as a Japanese chef and cookbook author in America.
Before my first book was published, I faced many rejections and setbacks.
It was only through perseverance—and the belief of one small publisher—that I was able to bring my work to readers and begin my career in Japanese cuisine in the United States. This story is not only about sushi and cooking, but also about resilience, trust, and following your passion. I hope it inspires others who are working hard to achieve their own dreams.
Watch the Interview
English Version | Spanish Version
About Beyond Japan NYC
Beyond Japan NYC is created by videographer Midori Owaki, who is originally from Tokyo and now lives in Long Island, NY, with her family. With a B.A. and M.A. in Cultural Studies and Applied Anthropology from Keio University and Columbia University’s Teachers College, Midori brings both expertise and passion to her work. Through Beyond Japan NYC, she showcases New York’s vibrant Japanese community and the people keeping cultural traditions alive across borders.
I am grateful to Midori for sharing my story and for her ongoing work in connecting audiences with Japanese culture.
I’m delighted to share that my cookbook, The Sushi Experience, is now available on CKBK.
CKBK is a digital platform offering access to the full content of hundreds of the world’s best cookbooks.
CKBK is a subscription service, licensed from leading publishers, that brings together over 1,000 curated cookbooks through the 1000 Cookbooks project. It’s an incredible resource for anyone who loves cooking, learning, and exploring culinary traditions from around the world.
By using this special link, you’ll receive 25% off a Premium Membership, which gives you unlimited access to more than 1,000 cookbooks, including The Sushi Experience.
About The Sushi Experience
The Sushi Experience is a comprehensive guide to sushi for both home cooks and professionals. Inside, you’ll find:
A look at the history and traditions of sushi.
Guidance on how to order at a sushi bar.
Step-by-step, illustrated instructions for preparing sushi rice, fillings, and toppings.
Tips for selecting, handling, and preparing fish safely.
This book was written to help you not only make sushi at home but also better understand and appreciate the cultural significance behind this beloved Japanese cuisine.
Explore The Sushi Experience on CKBK and take advantage of the 25% discount on Premium Membership here.