Best Japanese Culinary Academy Podcasts (2024)

1
Tips For Pairing Sake And Non-Japanese Food 47:21

11h ago47:21

47:21

Our guest is John Gauntner who is one of the world’s leading non-Japanese sake experts and educators. He has been writing and lecturing about sake since 1994, in various newspapers and magazines in Japan and overseas. He has published six books on sake across two languages, and hundreds of articles on the topic. Several times each year, he runs the…

1
Yama Seafood: Forward-minded Authentic Japanese Seafood Purveyor In America 46:53

10d ago46:53

46:53

Our guest is Nobu Yamanashi who is the president of Yama Seafood based in New Jersey. Founded in 1980 by his father Kengo Yamanashi, Yama Seafood has been one of the most reliable sources of high-quality seafood in the U.S. for almost 45 years. Nobu joined us in Episode #245 in November 2021 to discuss why he decided to succeed the highly demanding…

1
A Delicate California Wine Made To Be Paired with Japanese Food 55:55

23d ago55:55

55:55

Our guest today Xander Soren who is the founder of Xander Soren Wines https://xandersorenwines.com/ . Xander Soren Wines is a unique boutique California Pinot Noir producer whose mission is to create wines that pair exceptionally well with sushi and other Japanese foods without overpowering them. Equally unique is Xander’s background. He spent 20 y…

1
Bringing Japanese Premium Ingredients To Non-Japanese Chefs In The U.K. 53:06

28d ago53:06

53:06

Our guest is Stuart Turner who is the Founder & CEO of SushiSushi https://www.sushisushi.co.uk/ based in Sheffield in the United Kingdom. Stu founded SushiSushi in 2007 and since then, the company has grown to become a leading supplier of high-end Japanese food ingredients. Many of his clients are fine-dining non-Japanese restaurants, including The…

1
Former Chez Panisse Chef Inspires (And Is Inspired by) Food Communities in Japan 1:01:45

1M ago1:01:45

1:01:45

Our guest is Jerome Waag who is the former chef at the legendary farm-to-table restaurant Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California. Jerome moved to Tokyo in 2016 to open his own restaurant Blind Donkey. The restaurant has been popular and successful and in March 2024, Jerome has opened another place called CIMI Restorant with a strong focus on sustaina…

1
Japanese Wine Is Getting Exciting! 54:05

1M ago54:05

54:05

Our guest is Shiho Tanaka who is the head sommelier at Tsukimi, the Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant in the East Village, Manhattan. The restaurant offers great selections of sake and wine to pair with chef Takanori Akiyama’s original kaiseki-style dishes. Recently, Japanese wines were added to the list and Shiho is one of the most knowledgeable…

1
Trained By Masters From Age 15: A Japanese Chef Shares the Tradition on the Global Stage 55:21

2M ago55:21

55:21

Our guest is Makoto Okuwa, who is the chef/partner of multiple, highly popular Japanese restaurants in the U.S. and other major cities in the world, including Makoto at Bal Harbour in Miami, Love Makoto in Washington D.C., and Makoto Vail in Colorado. Makoto’s success did not come easily. He started cooking at the age of 15 in Japan, training under…

1
Mouthfeel: The Key To Understanding Japanese Food Culture 53:40

2M ago53:40

53:40

Our guest is Elizabeth Andoh, who joined us 14 times and shared her truly deep insight into traditional Japanese food culture. Elizabeth is a food writer and Japanese cooking instructor based in Tokyo, and she has lived in Japan for over 50 years. She runs the culinary arts program called A Taste of Culture https://tasteofculture.com/ , which offer…

1
I Bought A Kominka (Vintage House) In Japan 42:24

3M ago42:24

42:24

Our guest is Hannah Kirshner who is a food stylist and author of Water, Wood, and Wild Things published in 2021. She joined us in Episode #223 to discuss her wonderful book and introduced us to her fascinating life in Yamanaka, a small town in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. Hannah’s connection with Yamanaka has been deepening over time since her first…

1
Takoyaki: Another Addictive Japanese Comfort Food 1:01:42

4M ago1:01:42

1:01:42

Our guest is Karl Palma, who is the chef and owner of Karl’s Balls based in New York City. His mission is to introduce the soul of takoyaki, which is one of the most beloved traditional comfort foods in Japan, to the world. Karl joined us in Episode #189 in 2020 and introduced us to the basics of takoyaki. Takoyaki is one of the biggest stars of Ja…

1
The Inspiring Nordic Restaurant Noma Evolves With Japanese Food Culture 55:29

4M ago55:29

55:29

Our guest today is Thomas Frebel, the creative director at Noma. Noma is the famed restaurant in Copenhagen with numerous accolades, including three Michelin stars and The World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ No. 1 spot four times in a row from 2010 to 2014. Since its opening in 2003, Noma’s chef/owner René Redzepi has been inspiring the world through his …

1
Ask Sake Samurai Tim Sullivan: What Sake To Drink Now 48:00

4M ago48:00

48:00

Our guest is Timothy Sullivan who is the Director of Education and lead instructor at the Sake Studies Center at Brooklyn Kura. He has over 16 years of experience teaching about sake, and in 2007 he was awarded the prestigious title of Sake Samurai by the Japan Sake Brewers Association. Since 2013, Tim has served as the Global Brand Ambassador for …

1
Beer And Massage? How Do Wagyu Farms Actually Operate To Create The Buttery Marbling? 39:55

5M ago39:55

39:55

Our guest is Bob Broskey, who is the Executive Chef Partner of RPM Restaurants based in Chicago. After working at Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago, he joined the team at RPM in 2019. Now he oversees multiple restaurants in Chicago, Las Vegas and Washington DC, reflecting his talent in managing popular restaurants in diverse genres. In additi…

1
All About The World's Biggest Seafood Market Toyosu (Formerly Tsukiji) 55:15

5M ago55:15

55:15

Our guest is Shinji Sakamoto, a seafood expert based in Tokyo. Shinji’s background is unique and impressive. He trained himself as a buyer in the world's biggest seafood market called Tsukiji, and worked in Japan, Singapore and the U.S. to support operations of the seafood departments at major corporations. He also received a formal culinary educat…

1
The Success of Menya Rui: Expressing The Soul Of Ramen In St. Louis 52:55

6M ago52:55

52:55

Our guest is Steven Pursley, the chef/owner of Menya Rui in St. Louis, Missouri. Menya Rui opened in 2022, and since, Steven has received numerous accolades for his job at the ramen shop, such as Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chef in 2023. Steven has the right reasons to be recognized as a great ramen chef. He grew up both in Japan and the U.S. a…

1
Flavorama: Unlock The Art And Of Flavor With Noma’s Science Director 54:37

6M ago54:37

54:37

Our guest is Dr. Arielle Johnson. Arielle is a flavor scientist who advises some of the top chefs, restaurants, and bars in the world. For example, she co-founded the fermentation lab at the restaurant Noma in Copenhagen, which has been named the best restaurant in the world multiple times by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Arielle is currently th…

1
WAKAZE: Paving The Way For A Bright Future Of Sake 42:45

6M ago42:45

42:45

Our guest is Takuma Inagawa who is the founder and CEO of WAKAZE. WAKAZE is a unique and forward-minded producer of Japanese sake based in Paris, France. The Japanese sake industry has been facing challenges domestically due to various reasons, such as the decrease in the drinking population and the increase in competitive products in the market li…

1
Hoseki: An American Female Chef Sparkles At A Sushi Bar 46:53

6M ago46:53

46:53

Our guest is Morgan Adamson, the chef at Hoseki, a six-seat omakase sushi bar located at Saks Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. In previous episodes, we had several non-Japanese sushi chefs who proved that America has a distinctive pool of talent, and that the American sushi culture is on healthy ground. Morgan is definitely one of these talents, and bein…

1
Japanese Curry: Unique, Delicious, Super Popular Soul Food 51:58

7M ago51:58

51:58

Our guest is Elizabeth Andoh, who already joined us 13 times and shared her truly deep insight into traditional Japanese food culture. Elizabeth is a food writer and Japanese cooking instructor based in Tokyo, and she has lived in Japan for over 50 years. She runs the culinary arts program called A Taste of Culture, which offers a great opportunity…

1
Yuzu, Sudachi, Kabosu … All About Japanese Flavorful Citrus 45:05

8M ago45:05

45:05

Our guest is Megumi Hwang, the co-founder of KANKITSU LABO based in New York. She started KANKITSU LABO with the goal to revive the declining citrus farming industry in Japan and spread unique flavors of Japanese citrus to the world. You may have heard of yuzu, or tasted it at a Japanese restaurant and enjoyed its distinctively refreshing flavor. C…

1
An Iowan Chef Classically Nurtures the American Sushi Culture 43:53

8M ago43:53

43:53

Our guest today is Robby Cook, who is the chef at Coral. Coral opened in October 2023 and is located next to Grand Central Station in Manhattan. Robby’s path to becoming a successful sushi chef is unique and impressive. He joined us on Episode 37 in 2016, when he was the executive chef at Morimoto, and talked about his intriguing journey to becomim…

1
Enowa: ‘Beyond Farm-To-Table’ Restaurant in a Remote Onsen Town In Japan 33:04

8M ago33:04

33:04

Our guest is Tashi Gyamtso, the chef at Enowa. Enowa is a beautiful new restaurant and hotel in Yufuin, a remote town in the southern part of Japan. Enowa represents Tashi’s unique culinary philosophy, which he has developed through his diverse experiences in the U.S. and abroad, including his career as a sous chef at the Michelin-starred Blue Hill…

1
Wagyu: The Most Prized Meat In The World 33:31

9M ago33:31

33:31

Our guest is Yuki Ueki, the assistant vice president of Zen-Noh America. Zen-Noh America is a subsidiary of the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations of Japan. As you may know, Wagyu beef is known for its extreme marbling and delicateness, as well as its unique, pleasant flavor. Behind its deliciousness, there is so much to d…

1
Ramen Lord’s New Chapter: His Own Ramen Shop Akahoshi Ramen 57:02

9M ago57:02

57:02

Our guest is Mike Satinover, the chef/owner of Akahoshi Ramen in Chicago, which opened in November 2023. Mike joined us on Episode 280 in November 2022 and shared his fascinating story of how a young man who grew up in Chicago got into Japanese culture, ended up living in Japan, and discovered the profound world of ramen. Among ramen connoisseurs a…

1
Dassai Blue: The American Brewery By Japan’s Biggest Sake Brand Aims To Exceed Its Parent 48:47

9M ago48:47

48:47

Our guest is Kazuhiro Sakurai, the 4th generation and CEO of Asahi Shuzo, the maker of Dassai sake. Dassai is the biggest export brand of Japanese sake. Kazuhiro joined us on Episode 233 in July 2021 and shared the unique sake-making philosophy of the company, as well as why Dassai became so popular globally. In September 2023, Asahi Shuzo opened i…

1
America’s Best Sushi Made in the Meat Kingdom 1:02:53

9M ago1:02:53

1:02:53

Our guest today is David Yoshitomo Utterback, the chef/owner of Yoshitomo in Omaha, Nebraska. Japanese sushi has become a big part of American food culture. The presence of many great non-Japanese sushi chefs in the U.S. proves that sushi does not belong only to Japan. These chefs serve to inspire the tradition and help push it further. David is a …

1
Stubbornly Serving Sustainable Sushi in New York 1:07:35

10M ago1:07:35

1:07:35

Our guests are Jeff Miller, the chef/owner of Rosella and Bar Miller in the East Village in NYC, and James Dumapit, the executive chef at Bar Miller. They both worked at Uchiko in Austin, Texas, which is one of the most influential sushi restaurants in America. In 2017, Jeff opened Mayanoki, the first sustainable sushi restaurant in New York, with …

1
The Fascinating Life of a Japanese Private Chef In America 41:11

10M ago41:11

41:11

Our guest today is Isao Yoshimura, a private chef based in New York. Isao grew up in the countryside of Japan and came to New York in 1996 where he jumped into the restaurant industry, when authentic Japanese restaurants were still few and far between. His approach to Japanese cuisine is traditional, but his work reflects his free, creative adaptiv…

1
Marrying Traditional Spanish And Japanese Cuisines Naturally 36:55

10M ago36:55

36:55

Our guest is Victor Rivera who is the Head Chef at The Bazaar by Jose Andres in New York City. Before Victor became the Head Chef at The Bazaar, he cooked Japanese food in notable restaurants, including Masa in New York City, which has 3 Michelin stars. Also, he has a very strong culinary background in French with his experiences at top restaurants…

1
A French Pizzaiolo Is Running A Successful Food Truck In Japan 42:57

10M ago42:57

42:57

Our guest is Yohan Ourliac, the chef/owner of the Neapolitan pizza food truck “Pizza Bella'' located in Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture in the southern part of Japan. Yohan is originally from France and worked in Australia, Canada, Korea, eventually arriving in Japan eight years ago, where he found his calling of making great pizza for his customer…

1
Redefining Japanese Sake With Ancient Rice And A Global Mindset 37:45

11M ago37:45

37:45

Our guest is Yoshiki Yukimachi, the 6th generation brewmaster of Takeno Brewery in Kyoto. Founded in 1947, Takeno Brewery is known for its high-quality sake as well as its innovative mindset. Yoshiki’s father, Yoshihei Yukimachi, initiated the transformation of the brewery’s strategy and introduced unique products under the Kurabu brand, which feat…

1
Brooklyn Kura: Leading The American Craft Sake Industry 50:34

12M ago50:34

50:34

Our guests are Brandon Doughan and Brian Polen, co-owners of Brooklyn Kura, the very first sake brewery in New York, which opened in 2017 at Industry City in Brooklyn, New York. Brandon and Brian joined us on episode #105 in December 2017 and episode #178 in November 2018, where they discussed the unique concept of Brooklyn Kura and how they natura…

1
B Kyu Gourmet: Discover Casual Palate Gems 51:13

12M ago51:13

51:13

Our guest is Kentaro Tsurushima, the President of Canvas Creative Group based in New York. He consults for Japanese food businesses with 20 years of experience in the field under his belt. Today’s topic is B Kyu Gourmet, or B-Class Gourmet. B Kyu Gourmet means B-rank dining experience, but it does not mean second-class food at all. Japanese people …

1
Restaurant Yuu 35:04

12M ago35:04

35:04

Our guest today is Yuu Shimano who is the chef/owner of Restaurant Yuu in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, which opened in May 2023. Yuu joined us in Episode #197 way back in 2020 when he was the executive chef at Mifune, a creative Japanese restaurant in Midtown, Manhattan, to discuss his unique culinary career. For instance, Yuu worked as the saucier at Guy…

1
Soba: As Profound As Kaiseki, As Healthy As Medicine 43:42

1y ago43:42

43:42

Our guest is Shuichi Kotani, a New York-based master soba chef with over 25 years of experience. After working at prestigious restaurants in Tokyo, including Gonpachi and the Michelin-starred Edo Soba Hosokawa, he came to New York in 2008 and successfully served as the executive chef at Soba Totto in Manhattan. In 2012, he founded Worldwide Soba to…

1
Hokkaido: The Home Of A Unique Japanese Food Culture 56:25

1y ago56:25

56:25

Our guest is Michael Magers, a documentary photographer and journalist who splits his time between New York City and Austin, Texas. He joined us in episode #307 and discussed his affection for Japanese culture and how he captures it through his lens, including works of Japanese “shokunin” artisans. Mike is a frequent collaborator with the highly ac…

1
Shojin Ryori: Traditional Japanese Plant-Based Dishes 31:36

1y ago31:36

31:36

Our guest is Masami Asao who is a temple chef and registered dietitian based in Japan. She is also the Director of Akasaka Teran, a vegetarian cooking school located within Jokokuji, a 350-year-old temple in Tokyo. The Japanese diet is known for being healthy with lots of vegetables incorporated in daily meals. Also, there is a fully plant-based tr…

1
New York’s Craft Sake Brewery Kato Sake Works Successfully Expands 40:02

1y ago40:02

40:02

Our guest is Shinobu Kato who is the owner and brewer of New York’s own craft sake brewery Kato Sake Works in Brooklyn, which opened in 2020, right before the pandemic. He joined us in Episode 189 to discuss his new brewery and the fascinating story of how his well-established corporate career transformed into entrepreneurial sake brewing in New Yo…

1
The Legendary Cocktail Bar Angel’s Share Returns 52:55

1y ago52:55

52:55

Our guest today is Erina Yoshida, the owner of Angel’s Share in New York. She joined us in Episode 165 and shared her unique life story as a daughter of Tony Yoshida, the powerful figure behind New York’s thriving Japanese food culture. Now, four years later, she herself is a successful business owner and the leader of the amazing team at Angel’s S…

1
How to Pair Japanese Food With Champagne 48:46

1y ago48:46

48:46

Our guest today is Frédéric Panaïotis who is the Chef de Cave or Cellar Master of Ruinart. Ruinart is the oldest Champagne producer that was founded in 1729. You may wonder why Japan Eats! has a Champagne master as a guest, but Champagne goes well with many different types of cuisines, including Japanese food. But it is not the only reason why Fréd…

1
Jiro Ono’s Protégé Cultivates His Own Sushi Culture in America 37:46

1y ago37:46

37:46

Our guest is Daisuke Nakazawa who is the owner and executive chef of the Michelin-starred Sushi Nakazawa. He opened Sushi Nakazawa in New York in 2013 and its success led to the opening of the second location in Washington, D.C., in 2017. He is also planning to open the third location in Los Angeles later this year. He is also the owner of Saito, a…

1
Capturing The Lives of Vanishing Shokunin Masters 56:40

1y ago56:40

56:40

Our guest is Michael Magers, who is a documentary photographer and journalist who splits his time between New York City and Austin, Texas. He is a frequent collaborator with the highly acclaimed publisher Roads & Kingdoms (legendary author and television host Anthony Bourdain was a partner and investor in Roads & Kingdoms), and served as the lead p…

1
The Mindset of a Sushi Chef 46:56

1+ y ago46:56

46:56

Our guest today is Mitsunori Isoda, the executive chef at Omakase Room by Mitsu in New York. The Omakase Room serves authentic Japanese Edomae-style sushi at his beautiful 8-seat hinoki wood bar counter in Manhattan’s West Village. These days you can find great sushi restaurants in New York and other global cities around the world, but we don’t oft…

1
A Journey of An American Sake Brewer 56:13

1+ y ago56:13

56:13

Our guest this week is Todd Bellomy, the owner and brewer of Farthest Star Sake in Massachusetts. Todd joined us in Episode #36 to discuss his previous brewery Dovetail Sake in 2016. His success at Dovetail Sake led him to the opening of his new brewery Farthest Star Sake in 2022. Todd has not only been producing high-quality, authentic style of sa…

1
Sushi Can Be Sustainable 49:55

1+ y ago49:55

49:55

Our guest today is Hajime Sato who is the chef/owner of Sozai near Detroit, Michigan. Hajime has been known for keenly pursuing sustainability, which is very challenging for a sushi chef, for the last 14 years. His efforts have been widely recognized, and this year, Hajime became one of the five nominees for the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding…

1
What Makes the Japanese Food Culture So Unique? 56:43

1+ y ago56:43

56:43

Our guest is Matt Alt who is a Tokyo-based writer and "localizer" of Japanese entertainment products including video games, toys, and manga. His work has appeared widely in publications including The New York Times, BBC Culture, The Economist 1843, Aeon Magazine, and The New Yorker. (We will find out what “localizer” means in our conversation.) Als…

1
Wagashi: Delicious, Beautiful Japanese Sweets Celebrate Seasons And Nature 58:27

1+ y ago58:27

58:27

Our guest today is Phoebe Ogawa, who is a wagashi chef based in New York. Wagashi are traditional Japanese sweets, and they are quite different from Western-style sweets in many ways, such as the ingredients, how they're made, and the occasions they are served. For whatever reason, we don’t see wagashi outside of Japan very often, even in big citie…

1
Kodawari Ramen: A Former Air Force Pilot Leads The Ramen Culture In Paris 48:27

1+ y ago48:27

48:27

Our guest today is Jean-Baptiste Meusnier, the chef and owner of Kodawari Ramen in Paris. Jean-Baptiste was an air force pilot in his home country of France when he had a revelation to become a ramen chef. In April 2016, he opened Kodawari Ramen in central Paris and his focus on creating the best ramen has been as sharp as flying a military airplan…

1
Obsessed With Ice: What is Kakigori? 43:37

1+ y ago43:37

43:37

Our guest today is Elizabeth Andoh, who has joined us 12 times previously to share her truly deep insight into traditional Japanese food culture. Elizabeth is a food writer and Japanese cooking instructor based in Tokyo, where she has lived for over 50 years. She runs the culinary arts program called A Taste of Culture, which offers a great opportu…

1
Nisei: A First-Generation Chef Explores Possibilities of Japanese Culinary Tradition Globally 45:36

1+ y ago45:36

45:36

Our guest is David Yoshimura, who is the chef/owner of Nisei in San Francisco, California. Nisei means the first-generation, a son or daughter of Japanese immigrants who were born in the United States. Niseis inevitably live in dual cultures and many of them choose to celebrate Japanese culture in different ways. David is one of them. After working…

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Japanese Culinary Academy Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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