author

 
Menu
Search
 
December 10, 2023
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access
Makiko Itoh

Meta

Twitter

@makiwi

Makiko Itoh
Makiko Itoh writes the Japanese Kitchen column, and is the author of the bestselling "The Just Bento Cookbook" and its sequel, "The Just Bento Cookbook 2." A Tokyo native, she runs two Japanese cooking blogs, JustHungry.com and JustBento.com.
For Makiko Itoh's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
This stir-fry is a staple of many Japanese meals, and the techniques used to make are also commonly used throughout traditional cuisine.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Nov 5, 2023
Recipe: Carrot and burdock root stir-fry
When selecting "gobō," choose ones that are straight and relatively thin — the thicker, the older.
This sweet and salty dish owes much to both early modern merchants and 20th century Tokyo University students.
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Oct 22, 2023
Recipe: Deep-fried sweet (and salty) potatoes
Sweet potatoes are an iconic Japanese treat. Originally from Central America, they came through China in the 17th century to southern Kyushu.
Get a taste of Hokkaido’s playfully named chan-chan yaki — or griddle-cooked salmon.
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Sep 11, 2023
Recipe: Hokkaido-style griddle-cooked salmon
This dish reflects a combination of Ainu food traditions from Hokkaido.
Almost every household in Yamagata has their own recipe for this dish of sliced and lightly sauced vegetables.
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Aug 6, 2023
Recipe: Yamagata’s famous summer veggie relish
Unlike in most of Japan, in Yamagata Prefecture, “dashi” can refer to this dish of finely chopped summer vegetables and herbs.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Jul 2, 2023
Recipe: Chilled lime soba
A common saying among Japanese noodle lovers goes: “Udon in the west, soba in the east.”
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Jun 18, 2023
Recipe: Fresh vegetable kakiage fritters
Deep frying fresh vegetables like these is not as popular when they"re in season, but it’s still one of the easiest ways to bring out the sweetness and crunch of veggies.
Japan Times
Special Supplements / Hiroshima G7 Summit Special
May 19, 2023
From surf ’n’ turf to sweets, Hiroshima a foodie’s oyster
Situated on the western tip of Honshu between the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea, the climate of Hiroshima Prefecture is one of contrasts, with a northern side chilled by cold currents and a southern side that stays mild and warm. The mountainous areas see snow and the coastal areas can get plenty of rain, promoting the farming and fishing that give the region its unique delicacies.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
May 3, 2023
Recipe: ‘Carp’ sushi bento
Perfect for Children"s Day, this colorful meal is easier to put together than the final result might suggest.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Mar 12, 2023
Recipe: Botamochi sweets to welcome spring
Spring is just about to ... well ... spring, and these sweet adzuki treats are traditional equinox bites.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Feb 19, 2023
Recipe: Crab cream croquettes
Try your hand at making some deep-fried, deep sea delights.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Jan 8, 2023
Recipe: Sumo hot pot
It's said chicken makes for a perfect chanko nabe since the animal usually stands tall on its two feet.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Dec 11, 2022
Recipe: Kakiage soba
Casting about for the perfect Japanese meal to close out this year and ring in the next? Look no further.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Nov 6, 2022
Recipe: Simmered kabocha
In honor of all the jack-o-lanterns headed for the trash heap this week, turn some kabocha in to a subtly sweet treat.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Oct 9, 2022
Recipe: Kyoto-style rice bowl
Dating back to the 19th century, oyakodon rice bowls taste far better than their slightly macabre name might suggest.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Sep 11, 2022
Recipe: Garlic liver stir-fry
Don't let the name fool you: Offal cooked right is anything but.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Aug 14, 2022
Recipe: Chilled noodles with a healthy twist
Take your su014dmen on a Mediterranean journey.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Jul 24, 2022
Recipe: Sauteed and marinated chilled tofu
Can't decide between a cold dish or a hot one? Don't.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Jul 3, 2022
Recipe: Panfried ginger pork
Savory pork and fresh ginger as a way to beat the heat? According to Japanese culinary tradition, yes.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Jun 5, 2022
Recipe: Sweet bean treats, two ways
Getting the best quality, freshest beans available will make a difference in the final result.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
May 15, 2022
Recipe: Japanese-style pasta with fresh asparagus
Take advantage of these seasonal treats with this wafu016b (Japanese-style) recipe that puts asparagus in the spotlight.
Actors say sexual abuse is a structural problem in Japan’s film industry
Actress Midori Suiren (center), filmmaker Kenzo Kaga (right) and cinematographer Shin Hayasaka attend a news conference in Tokyo on Thursday.
Japan-born U.S. national Yuri Kondo continues dual citizenship fight
The day after the Fukuoka District Court dismissed her lawsuit questioning the constitutionality of Japan's dual nationality law, Yuri Kondo, 76, was in high spirits as she drove to see family and friends.
Japan’s deepest economic contraction since pandemic clouds path for BOJ
Japan’s economic recovery from the pandemic is losing momentum as overseas economies slow and sticky inflation weighs on domestic consumption.
Tokyo Disneyland apologizes for Minnie Mouse skirt-lifting incident
The operator of Tokyo Disneyland on Friday apologized after clips of Minnie Mouse having her skirt lifted by another character during a recent Christmas parade went viral on social media.
Kishida walks tightrope after new funds allegations against Matsuno
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno attend a Cabinet meeting in Tokyo on Friday.
Japan-born U.S. national Yuri Kondo continues dual citizenship fight
The day after the Fukuoka District Court dismissed her lawsuit questioning the constitutionality of Japan's dual nationality law, Yuri Kondo, 76, was in high spirits as she drove to see family and friends.
Kishida walks tightrope after new funds allegations against Matsuno
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno attend a Cabinet meeting in Tokyo on Friday.
Actors say sexual abuse is a structural problem in Japan’s film industry
Actress Midori Suiren (center), filmmaker Kenzo Kaga (right) and cinematographer Shin Hayasaka attend a news conference in Tokyo on Thursday.
'Oppenheimer' to screen in Japan next year after nuclear controversy
A sign for "Oppenheimer" at a movie theater in Los Angeles. The film will open in Japan next year.
Tokyo aims to make high school tuition free of charge for all
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike speaks during a Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly meeting on Monday.

Podcast

The Climate Action Network holds an event at the venue of the U.N. climate change conferences in Dubai on Sunday to give its 'fossil' award to countries including Japan.
Feeling anxious? Wastewater, heat and Japan’s year in climate

Longform

Tokyo Healthcare University professor Takayuki Mifune explains how he is trying to re-create bonito broth from 1,300 years ago.
The quest to re-create what the Japanese ate 1,300 years ago
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Ajinomoto helps people, planet with amino acids
Ajinomoto helps people, planet with amino acids

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER