| Apr 10, 2013

Top chefs launch label to laud French cuisine

Worried by declining standards in France’s famed restaurants, world-famous chefs launched a new label April 10 that will only be awarded to eateries that meet strict criteria. The “quality restaurant” designation will be granted to establishments in any price range that meet standards set ...

Running with the ramen hunters

| Mar 22, 2013

Running with the ramen hunters

by Steve Trautlein

Ramen is to Japanese food as school-girl uniforms are to porn — the animating fetish that sustains an entire industry. Helping to scratch the noodle itch is an army of bloggers whose dispatches are consumed with voyeuristic glee. The numbers are against them — ...

Why not just add a dollop of mayonnaise?

| Mar 22, 2013

Why not just add a dollop of mayonnaise?

by Makiko Itoh

Newcomers to Japan are often a little taken aback by the many decidedly non-Japanese condiments, such as ketchup and Worcestershire sauce, that are used in everyday cooking. And in particular mayonnaise: Usually reserved for sandwiches, salad dressing and dipping sauces for chilled seafood in ...