Hiroko’s Kitchen | Blog

Happy pills/ Football victory night in Barcelona/ blood sausage braised with squash

Happy Pills store front

Happy Pills filled in bottlesblood sausage cooked with squash

In El Born, one of the trendiest neighborhood of Barcelona, tapas bars, gelato stores, clothing shops and other unique stores stands to next each other.  Some stores survive many years and others come and go.  The newest addition to this locale is a tiny, cool-looking store called “Happy Pills”.  You can tell that Read the rest of this entry »

After leaving his brother’s restaurant, El Bulli, Alberto Adria opened and operates his own tapas bar restaurant, Inopia in the city.  When we arrived around 2pm on Sunday, there was already a line of people waiting for the seats.  Alberto spotted us and whisked us into the crowded restaurant.  Soon two counter seats were vacated and we could luckily sit down and taste his delightful creations.  Alberto enthusiastically Read the rest of this entry »

After a huge tapas lunch I decided to stroll aimlessly down the narrow streets of the Gotic district.  Aimlessness was not really my plan.  Since I have no sense of direction whatsoever, getting lost among maze streets was easy to do.  Suddenly a small, open store front with as sign saying “The Bagel Shop - The True Read the rest of this entry »

I recently stayed in Barcelona for a week.  Here are some stories and some places that you should try on your next visit to this lovely city.  No. 1: Hotel - Banys Orientals - This small hotel is nestled in busy, historical El Born district of the city.  It is 3 minutes walk to Sagurada Familia and many other famous tourist spots…. Read the rest of this entry »

I recently dined at Kajitsu, a new exciting Japanese shojin cuisine restaurant, which opened two months ago in the East Village section of New York City.  Shojin cuisine is an ancient Japanese culinary practice developed in Zen Buddhist monasteries.  Following the Buddhist principle of not…… Read the rest of this entry »

I am very fortunate to live close to Union Square in New York City where the city’s largest farmers market operates four days a week.  Since my move to New York City ten years ago I have been living on locally grown/farmed produce, chicken, sea food and other food items except dead cold winter months nearly all of these vendors disappear.  In the course of using these locally produced materials I have learned to use Read the rest of this entry »

I am collaborating with chef Yoshi of Jewel Bako, NYC, Modern Sushi and Sake Tasting Dinner at James Beard House on May 11th .  I look forward to seeing you!  For further information please visit www.jamesbeard.org.  During summer holidays if you want to have fun sushi party or special Japanese summer meal catering, please contact me.

Jeremiah is an accomplished, charming chef, now working as a sous chef at International Culinary Center (ICC).  The other day when I was prepping at the kitchen of ICC for my class, Jeremiah kindly fed me with his Read the rest of this entry »

Upon receiving my request for my mother’s delicious beef tongue stew recipe my Mom with a help with my sister, Yoko, produced the dish after many years of not making it since I left home.  My Mom had an

excellent excuse to make her beloved beef tongue stew again.  Buzz, my husband, who currently staying in

Read the rest of this entry »