La Fuji Mama

A Trip to Manrikiya Noodle Shop

When it comes to noodles, I’m a devotee of the Japanese varieties. From thin nutty soba to fat chewy udon, the assortment of noodles used in Japanese cuisine is diverse, made even more so by the different ways in which they are served, whether it be cold with a dipping sauce or in a soup. […]

My friend Bee (of Rasa Malaysia) is one of those people who always has a smile on her face. Happiness radiates from her and it’s hard to imagine a negative thought ever occurring in her head. Bee and I met 2 years ago at an event in New York City and were instant friends. I’d […]

Japanese Chicken Curry Rice Makes 6 to 8 servings 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs with skin on, cut into 1-inch chunks 1/4 cup cornstarch 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 large yellow onions, chopped 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger 4 teaspoons curry powder (I use S&B) 2 teaspoons kosher salt […]

Although temperatures are still very warm here in Southern California, I seem to have autumn on my mind. I’ve been craving my favorite fall flavors and dishes. So when Jarlsberg contacted me asking if I’d be willing to dream up a dish that would be suitable for those crazy back-to-school nights where time is […]

Mushrooms + Fuji Family = LOVE and this week I’m getting the chance to go head to head with bloggers from Canada and Australia in a mushroom battle. Did you know that this month is National Mushroom Month here in the U.S.? To celebrate, last week kicked off the second annual Mushroom Masters, an international […]

Salad Soup, aka Creamy Spinach Soup Makes about 6 to 8 servings 6 cups chicken stock 1 1/2 pounds spinach, roughly chopped 8 ounces peeled pearl onions 5 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons dried Italian herbs 1 tablespoon dried crushed basil 2 teaspoons dried crushed rosemary 2 teaspoons ground ginger 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 […]

Takikomi Gohan Makes about 5 servings 2 large dried shiitake mushrooms 1 6 square-inch piece kombu 2 cups warm water 4 ounces fresh cremini mushrooms, sliced 3-inch piece carrot, peeled and cut into thin rectangles 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped 1 tablespoon mirin 1 teaspoon honey 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1/2 teaspoon […]

Two months ago, at the beginning of July, I made a trip back to my beloved Japan. Now that I’ve taken care of some of the deadlines on my plate, I’m finally getting the chance to go through all of the photos and video I took on my trip and share them with you! The […]

My friend Jennie is one of those people who puts you instantly at ease. I met her for the first time at an event in New York City in the fall of 2010. Her warmth, wicked sense of humor, and tendency to break into a big grin won me over instantly. Since that day I’ve […]

At the beginning of this month I cooked a goat feast for my dad as a belated Father’s Day gift. I had been planning the 6 course meal for weeks, and was so excited when the day finally rolled around. It turned out to be an amazing meal. I took pictures, but you’ll have to […]

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