At Syn, chef Naoto Ohno's playfulness is evident in the "Apple," a replica fruit filled with applejack-flavored foie gras and served on a plate decorated with a familiar logo.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Sep 5, 2025
With a global approach, Syn gives French cuisine plenty of latitude
Up-and-coming chef Naoto Ohno draws from his rich travel experiences to redefine cooking traditions at his restaurant in Fukuoka.
An Okinawan stir-fry, "sōmen champurū" is your answer to a quick and easy lunch.
A fuss-free Okinawan stir-fry to boost your energy in the heat
While they are usually eaten cold this season, thin “sōmen” noodles offer a delicious, savory alternative when fried with a pork and vegetable mixture.
At Kuro Mame, baristas customize the coffee according to the guest's preferences.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Aug 29, 2025
Sip a bespoke coffee for ¥4,000 at Kuro Mame
Always wanted to have a barista customize your brew? Make a beeline for this premium cafe.
Shinji Mizutani opened Tanikoretani in August 2024, after converting a dilapidated shophouse in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa into a retro-look "izakaya" tavern.
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Aug 24, 2025
Behind Tanikoretani’s quiet facade, a lively world of sake-fueled food
A chance encounter with a two-story rental space led Shinji Mizutani to set up a vibrant tavern in Tokyo’s Kiyosumi-Shirakawa neighborhood.
Reigen, Germany's first sake brewery, makes a diverse, nontraditional range of sake that includes fruit-flavored sips and wine barrel-aged renditions.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Aug 22, 2025
Germany's first sakemaker offers a bold brew of ideas
Yellowish and high in acidity, German sake won't please the purists, but open-minded consumers, especially wine drinkers, may find something appealing.
Rachel Simons' debut cookbook, “Sesame: Global Recipes + Stories of an Ancient Seed," is filled with fun, inspirational ideas, such as the tahini cream cheese frosting with carrot cake encrusted with sesame seeds.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Aug 17, 2025
From a piquant paste to a crisp crust, sesame shines in many forms
Packed with historical nuggets and inspirational recipes, Rachel Simons' debut cookbook offers a rich, entertaining dive into the Japanese kitchen staple.
Chef Kei Kobayashi is France's only Japanese chef with three Michelin stars.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Aug 15, 2025
In Paris, chefs Chizuko Kimura and Kei Kobayashi make their mark
One is the world’s first Michelin-starred female sushi chef, while the other is France’s only three-Michelin-starred Japanese chef.

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’