Carrot Cakes
I usually don’t choose carrot cake when I have a choice. I always wonder why there are vegetables in a cake. Then I had a slice from Sunday Bake Shop, and it was the best carrot cake I’ve ever had. It was light, well balanced, and not too sweet, and this recipe is inspired by it.
This small batch makes 6 muffin size carrot cakes with a simple oil based batter, a handful of toasted walnuts, and a cream cheese frosting on top.
Silkiest HōjiCha Pudding (Purin)
Super silky hojicha purin is the perfect chilled dessert for early fall, when it’s still hot outside but you want a hint of autumn. This Japanese style pudding is creamy, soft, and so delicate that you can’t unmold it, with a roasted hojicha flavor and a texture close to tiramisu. It cooks on the stove top in just 8 minutes, so there’s no need to turn on the oven.
Chocolate Tart
A rich chocolate tart with a cocoa almond crust and a silky coffee dark chocolate filling. It looks fancy, but it's really just a few simple steps done right, chill the dough, make the filling, and let a little patience do the rest.
Orange Marmalade Chicken
This fried chicken gets tossed in a sticky, sweet and savory sauce made with marmalade and soy sauce, with garlic, ginger, and a little heat from red pepper flakes. A splash of sake in the pan brings out the umami, and apple cider vinegar added right at the end gives it that punch of tang to cut through all the sweetness. It's glossy, coated in sauce, and the kind of thing that disappears the second it hits the table.
Peach Earl Grey Sando
Fresh white peaches and Earl Grey infused cream are layered between pillowy shokupan. This fruit sando takes the classic Japanese sandwich and gives it a floral, tea infused twist. Slice it open and you'll see, it's just as beautiful as it tastes.
Eggplant Katsu Sando
Looking for a vegetarian katsu sando recipe? This eggplant version is inspired by Filipino tortang talong, smoky, crispy, and packed into pillowy shokupan with okonomiyaki sauce and Japanese mayo.
Cherry Ricotta Cake
My son wanted lemon ricotta pancakes, which meant a half used tub of ricotta sitting in my fridge with about a week to live. Instead of letting it go to waste, I turned it into this cherry ricotta cake! Just as good for breakfast as it is for dessert.
Bibim Guksu
Bibim guksu is the quickest and most satisfying noodle dish you can make on a hot day. Thin somyeon noodles get tossed in a spicy, tangy gochujang sauce, balanced with a touch of plum syrup, then piled high with cucumber, kimchi and a soft boiled egg. No stove required beyond boiling the noodles. You can make as quick as instant noodles!
Sweet Potato Cheesecake Bites
This sweet potato cheesecake bites are the perfect dessert for any occasion, and the best part? No stand mixer, no hand mixer, just one bowl and a spatula. I brought it to a kids' birthday party and it was gone before I knew it. Cut into squares, it is easy to pick up and eat with no plates or forks needed, which makes it ideal for parties and gatherings.
Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken
Taiwanese popcorn chicken is my son's and my favorite dish at Pine and Crane in DTLA, and I have been dreaming about making it at home for a long time. In this post I walk you through all the key ingredients, Chinese five spice, white pepper, and tapioca starch, and explain why each one matters for getting that iconic crunchy, fragrant, night market style coating just right.
Peach Crisp
Stone fruit season is here, and this peach crisp is the easiest way to make the most of it. Juicy, sweet peaches topped with a buttery, coconut oat crumble, serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy peach season while it lasts.
Ume Syrup
Ume syrup is a sweet, fruity concentrate made from Japanese ume (often translated as "plum" but actually closer to an apricot) and sugar. It has a bright, tangy, floral flavor with a natural sweetness. It is especially popular as a summer drink in Japan, and once strained, the syrup keeps in the fridge for several months.
Taiwan Mazesoba
Taiwan Mazesoba (Dry Noodles with Spicy Ground Pork) is a brothless ramen dish that originated at Nagoya's legendary ramen restaurant Hanabi, built on the bold flavors of spicy Taiwan minced pork. "Maze" means mix, and that is exactly what you do: thick ramen noodles tossed in a rich tare, topped with savory ground pork, raw nira (garlic chives), dashi powder, toasted sesame, and a silky onsen tamago. It is the ultimate summer noodle bowl, and it comes together faster than you think.
Peanut Butter Dan Dan Noodles
A bowl of dan dan noodles is one of those dishes that sounds simple but delivers layers of flavor you did not see coming. Nutty, spicy, savory, and just a little tangy, this Sichuan street food classic has been winning people over for centuries. In this version, I swap the traditional sesame paste for peanut butter, making it even easier to pull together with everyday pantry staples.
Omurice
Omurice is the yoshoku dish I make when I need something fast, comforting, and a little nostalgic. This recipe is portioned for one and comes together in under 30 minutes. The trick is all in the omelet.
Gâteau Weekend
Citrus season is coming to an end, so let's make Gâteau Weekend . I was talking to a friend recently, and it seems like lemon trees in SoCal are producing more and bigger lemons this year, thanks to all the rain we got last year. My tree is loaded, so it felt like the perfect time to bake this cake.
Gyūdon with Onsen Tamago
Gyudon is one of Japan's great everyday meals — thinly sliced beef and onion cooked down in a glossy, savory sweet broth, spooned over rice in a donburi bowl. It belongs to a category of Japanese cooking called don mono, a family of dishes that are quick to make, deeply satisfying. This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, and with a homemade onsen tamago on top, it might just become your new weeknight staple.
Thai Basil Chicken
Pad Kra Pao, known as Gapao Rice in Japan, is one of the most satisfying weeknight meals you can make. This Thai basil chicken stir fry comes together in under 20 minutes with simple ingredients and bold, savory flavor. In this post I break down the difference between holy basil, Thai basil and Italian basil so you can make the best choice with whatever is available to you, plus tips on how to mince your own chicken for better texture and how to make a crispy basil garnish that takes the whole dish to the next level. A crispy fried egg on top is non-negotiable.
Herby Meatball Bowls with Avocado Tzatziki
When spring arrives, I start craving meals that feel lighter but still satisfying. This pork meatball bowl hits that balance with herb packed meatballs, chewy grains, and a creamy tzatziki made even smoother with avocado. It softens the garlic and lemon and adds just enough richness to bring everything together. It’s a flexible, clean out the fridge kind of meal you can build with whatever vegetables and grains you have on hand.
Miso dama
Miso dama are Japanese miso soup balls made with miso, dashi, and dried ingredients. These easy meal prep miso balls turn into instant miso soup just by adding hot water.