Bedford

Who doesn’t love tempura? Golden fried with the perfect amount of crunch, yet somehow still light and airy, tempura is absolutely delightful and delicious! Check out these 10 fun facts about this favorite appetizer and side dish below! 1. Classic tempura batter consists of only three simple ingredients: cake flour, eggs, and cold water (sometimes with added ice, or sparkling water instead). 2. Tempura was influenced by and adapted from fritter-cooking techniques, introduced b

If you haven’t tried mochi yet, you’re missing out! Mochi is a soft, chewy, delicious Japanese rice cake that comes in many different varieties and flavors. It is enjoyed year-round in Japan but especially during the Japanese New Year. A similar type of rice cake is also found in Korean cuisine, called tteok. Mochi is made using a short grain glutinous rice (called mochigome) that is steamed then pounded repeatedly, by traditional mallets or modern machines. The repetitive po

Are you eating sushi the wrong way? Though the “right way” should just be how you best enjoy it, there is traditional sushi eating etiquette that you should follow if you visit a sushi restaurant in Japan. And though sushi in America has evolved quite drastically from sushi in Japan, in our opinion, sticking to a few of these sushi etiquette tips can still absolutely enhance your enjoyment of eating sushi anywhere! How to Eat Sushi Properly: Eat with your hands! Use clean han

Sushi is hugely popular around the globe today and is often associated with modern fine dining experiences, but its earliest, humble origins will likely come as a surprise to most people. (Spoiler alert: sushi did not originate from Japan!) The very first iteration of sushi was used for centuries in Southeast Asia as a means of preserving raw fish. This prototypical sushi (now called narezushi) was made by salting raw fish and packing it inside fermented rice in barrels, allo

The word “superfood” is an ever-popular buzzword, but seaweed is one superfood that doesn’t get the credit it deserves! Seaweed has been an important part of diets in Japan, Korea and China since prehistoric times, and still is to this day. Edible seaweed comes in a multitude of varieties, most of which are high in fiber and low in calories and fat, while also containing a rich supply of antioxidants, nutrients and minerals. Nutrient-Rich Seaweed Certain types of edible seawe