10th Washoku World Challenge Competition

Posted on Aug 30, 2022 in Hiroko's Blog

CHEFS! Apply now for the Washoku World Challenge competition https://www.washoku-worldchallenge.maff.go.jp/10th/en/index.html to test your Japanese cooking skills.  The finalists in different region are invited to compete in Japan. Send me any questions you might have....

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Sumibi-Baisen Coffee

Posted on May 4, 2022 in Hiroko's Blog

I love cooking meat and fish over a Japanese bincho-tan charcoal fire.  I know what this particular charcoal fire does in cooking.  For example, when I cook pork chop over exposed bincho-tan charcoal fire, infrared ray, which is emitted from the bincho-tan charcoal fire, permeates into the center of pork chop, thus cooked meat has even texture, and is juicy and moist.   A Japanese tea expert and a good friend of mine, Kei Nishida, sent me three sample bags of bincho-tan...

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“Rock with Cognac” : Cognac and Sushi Pairing

Posted on Feb 12, 2021 in Hiroko's Blog

Last week I Co-hosted with Ezra Star, a Cognac Expert, “Roll with Cognac”, educational webinar, for journalists.  Pairing Cognac and Sushi – how fun and cool it was! Both Cognac and Sushi are examples of highly refined culinary arts.  Cognac and Sushi shares similar history and characteristics in many ways.  Both are adopted from foreign culinary culture.  Cognac’s origin lies in the 16th century with the arrival of Dutch in France.  Preliminary forms of sushi arrived in...

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Conversation with DaraBunjon at JMoreliving.com

Posted on Feb 4, 2021 in Hiroko's Blog

I would like to share with you the conversation with my dear friend Dara Bunjon.  She host programs on Jmoreliving.com; https://jmoreliving.com/2021/02/04/the-food-enthusiast-with-guest-hiroko-shimbo/ Dara, thank you very much for having me at your station.  Years have passed but you have such a good memory on our encounter.  When the good time comes back, I look forward to having an in-person conversation with you. Thank you again, Hiroko  ...

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Miso in Tradition and Innovation

Posted on Feb 3, 2021 in Hiroko's Blog

Miso: Traditional Flavors with Modern Application – The Fermentation Association This is a clip from the Miso Webinar which I participated on January 21st.  Now I know how messy my presentation during close-up time was.  The papers with miso names move around and was placed not neatly ….Ugh!  Kristin’s presentation and Kyle’s super beautiful presentation are a must to watch. Hope you enjoy mine as well!...

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WHY MISO IS MADE ONLY WITH SOYBEANS? AND HOW CAN I MAKE MY OWN MISO?

Posted on Feb 1, 2021 in Hiroko's Blog

@japanesecuisineauthority (Instagram)             Hi this is Hiroko Shimbo.  Among many questions asked to us at the Miso Webinar I recently participated with Robert, Kristen and Kyle for The Fermentation Association; this one caught my attention. “Why miso is produced only from soybeans many times  with a few other grains added, but until very recently never using other beans?” In order to answer this question, let me take you to the very...

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