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Makiko Itoh

@makiwi.bsky.social
382 followers 186 following 87 posts

Food & culture writer, Japanese nomad, living with cancer, dreaming of mobility. Funassyi, NY Mets fan.

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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
My new book Real Japanese Cooking is out on July 8th! www.justhungry.com/real-japanes...
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 13/08/2024
Here is my latest for The Japan Times - a recipe for what is called “ dry curry” in Japan. It’s essentially a stir fried meat mix that is mixed into plain rice. Read about how this is considered a classic in Japan, its Mughal roots, and more. www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/08...
japantimes.co.jp
Fight fiery summer temps with this dry Japanese curry
This recipe is quick to prepare and can be made in advance, making it great for the hot summer months when you don't want to spend too much time in the kitchen.
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 12/07/2024
The stigma canola/rapeseed oil has gathered recently is just weird. Rapeseed/canola oil (natane abura) is widely used in Japan and regarded as fine. Same in Switzerland (Rapsöl) Both places have healthier, less obese, longer living populations than the US.
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 01/07/2024
here is my latest for the Japan Times- two recipes in fact. The main one is for pork spare ribs, which are very quick to cook and tasty. If you cont have black vinegar, balsamic vinegar will be sweeter but is a good alternative. www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/06...
japantimes.co.jp
Eat your way to a bit of heat relief
Eating small amounts of nutritionally dense yet balanced foods at regular time periods can help keep Japan’s summer doldrums at bay.
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 04/06/2024
My latest for the Japan Times is a recipe for the vegan tofu dumplings called ganmodoki or hiryōzu. www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/06...
japantimes.co.jp
Vegan dumplings to please any Buddhist monk
Whatever you call these tasty dumplings, feel free to mix any finely cut vegetables into the tofu base besides the ones in the recipe.
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 18/03/2024
My latest for The Japan Times is about tender spring cabbage, which is a major thing in Japan at this time of year. It is much softer than regular cabbage, and a little sweet. And yes, the wasabi mayo really does work and is not too spicy! www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/03...
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 25/02/2024
I've gone back to familiar territory for the Japan Times this time to talk about bento! If you own my bento cookbooks this may seem old hat to you, but hopefully I got my point across in the limited space I have in the newspaper. www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/02...
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 05/02/2024
This is the latest Japan Times article, which was published on Sunday. It is for a dish that is very nostalgic for me - menchikatsu, which is kind of like a deep fried breaded hamburger steak. www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/02...
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 24/01/2024
Here is the latest Japan Times article that was published Sunday. The recipe is for a warming daikon radish and pork dish accented with marmalade. It's really good - I hope you give it a try! www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/01...
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 31/12/2023
Happy New Year! It’s the Year of the Dragon! May it be a good one for you!
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 22/12/2023
Some homemade Japanese Christmas cakes to end my annual Christmas cake season. Happy holidays everyone! #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 21/12/2023
Lars.Nootbaar’s mom is going to be a guest on a year-end news TV special in Japan 🤔
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 21/12/2023
Christmas cakes from 2 of my favorites; Shiseido Parlor in Ginza, and Gajoen Hotel in Moguro. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 20/12/2023
4more cakes from hotels in Tokyo and Yokohama #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 20/12/2023
4 Christmas cakes from hotels is Tokyo #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 18/12/2023
4 more Christmas cakes from hotels in Osaka and Kyoto. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 17/12/2023
The Christmas Train Cake from the Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo in Maruouchi, Tokyo combines a chestnut shortcake, a pound cake and a chestnut mousse cake into a cute train form. 20x7cm, 16,000 yen (US$113/ €103 ). #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 17/12/2023
Here is my latest article/recipe for The Japan Times. It is for a New Years osechi classic, datemaki. I hope you give it a try! Incidentally, you can use cornstarch instead of potato starch. www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2023/12...
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 16/12/2023
The Cacao Pod Noël from EN VEDETTE in the Tokyu Food Hall Edge in Shibuya Scramble Square is shaped like a big cacao pod. Inside are 7 layers -chocolate mousse, orange gelée, banana ganache etc.. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 15/12/2023
The beautiful red and white Kiwami Gâteau Six Fraises from the Chinzansō hotel in Tokyo. The swirly cream is reminiscent of their famous artificially generated “cloud sea” (unkai 雲海). #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 15/12/2023
The Ultime Chocolat Noël 2023 from Louange Tokyo La Musée in Roppongi and Ginza is a chocolate Christmas cake that looks like a teddy bear peeking out of a gift box! #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 13/12/2023
The Christmas Merry-Go-Round cake from the Shin Yokohama Prince Hotel is a colorful and intricate chocolate merry-go-round decorated with 2 kinds of chocolate bonbons, which encases 4 different cakes. . #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 12/12/2023
The annual look at KFC (or Kentucky as it’s called) Japan’s Christmas chicken offerings! Whole roast chicken with stuffing, chocolate cake, shrimp gratin, and lots of fried chicken! Ho ho ho! #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 11/12/2023
The Grand* Hyatt
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 11/12/2023
The Hexen Haus from the Grant Hyatt Tokyo in Roppongi is a beautifully detailed gingerbread house. You can even see the tracks of Santa’s sleigh. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 10/12/2023
And….even more 7-11 Japan Christmas cakes.
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 10/12/2023
Even more Christmas cakes from 7-11 Japan The first 2 here are allergen free ones.  #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 09/12/2023
4 more 7-11 Christmas cakes
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 09/12/2023
Four Christmas cakes sold by Seven Eleven Japan created by famous pâtissiers:chocolatiers. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 08/12/2023
4 elegant Christmas cakes from Pâtisserie Mont St. Clair in Meguro, Tokyo, headed by chef Hironobu Tsujiguchi. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 07/12/2023
The amazing Christmas Wish From Steiff Santa cake from the Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho Hotel has a Steiff bear faithfully recreated in chocolate right down to the ear tag. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 07/12/2023
Lars Nootbaar on a Japanese variety/chat show rn
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 06/12/2023
Following #Mets news - like having multiple anxiety attacks per day
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 06/12/2023
Cute and colorful ice cream Christmas cakes from Baskin Robbins, better known as Thirty-One Ice Cream in Japan: a Pokémon cake, a My Melody/Kuromi cake, a Disney cake and a Sumikkogurashi cake. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 05/12/2023
Three beautiful modern cakes plus a colorful circular advent calendar from Pierre Hermé Japan, from their flagship store in Aoyama, Tokyo. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 04/12/2023
4 gorgeous cakes available from Matsuya department store: the Stella, the Bonita, the Charlotte Noël Pink, and the Parfum Rouge. All come from top pâtissiers. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 03/12/2023
2 little cakes from Yōgashi Gion Sakai in Kyoto: The Santa has mascarpone mousse & strawberry compote coated w/strawberry chocolate. The Fukudama (Lucky Ball) is a New Years cake w/a red/white chocolate shell,strawberry sauce & pistachio buttercream. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 02/12/2023
More Qu’il Fait Bon Christmas tarts.
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 02/12/2023
The Tarte Premièrefrom pastry chain Qu’il Fait Bon is a Christmas tree shaped tart with almond and chocolate chip crust, strawberry mousse, topped with fresh strawberries and Shine Muscat grapes. It also has sugar Christmas ornaments and gold cereal. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 01/12/2023
Funassyi on a Japanese talk show with Jaejoong and a hard metal band guy, with Funassyi the only one sitting on the sofa! 😅
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 01/12/2023
A few more Keio Plaza Tokyo cakes #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 01/12/2023
The Pöllö Cake by the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo is styled as a stack of old books on which two wise owls are perched. Each of the books & owls are a different multilayer cake by -strawberries & cream, chocolate, caramel, cheesecake, pistachio. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
The layers in the cake
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 30/11/2023
(Afraid I’ll jinx things that is)
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 30/11/2023
I am afraid to voice my hopes aloud (in public) about the Mets’ offseason. So I’ll continue to concentrate on beautiful Christmas pastry 🎂
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 30/11/2023
The Créa Plus from Pâtisserie Asako Iwayanagi has white crème d'ange coated with transparent kudzu,chestnut mousse, gyūhi(sweet mochi), cheesecake, cassis & grape gelée, & chestnuts. Decorated with yuzu agar jelly, pears & white sugar decorations. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 29/11/2023
Convenience store chain Family Mart has tons of regular Christmas cakes, but they also have ones for dogs or cats to share with their hoomans, including a pizza and chicken dinner complete w/mini pizza box. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 28/11/2023
The Raspberry Chocolate Christian from The Ritz Carlton Tokyo looks like a bright red old school record player, made of chocolate, and hides a multilayer raspberry mousse, almond chocolate mousse and Sacher biscuit sponge cake. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 27/11/2023
They have a myriad of other Christmas cakes including these cute individual cupcakes.
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 27/11/2023
The Xmas Fruit Train Present Santa Car from Châteraisé, the largest Japanese pastry shop chain is a train shaped cake that combines a roll cake, a strawberry cake, a gateau chocolat and a fruit cake. Complete with a sugar Santa. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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Makiko Itoh @makiwi.bsky.social · 26/11/2023
The Sapin Chocolat Earl Grey by master pâtissier Sadaharu Aoki is Christmas tree shaped cake that combines the fragrance of Earl Grey tea with the sourness of raspberries. The chocolate cream uses an Italian chocolate with a deep yet refreshing aroma. #Christmascakesinjapan #Christmascakes2023
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