Interviews with chefs, food writers, creatives and other international experts on Japanese food culture. You’ll get to hear fascinating stories from these creators, tips to level up your Japanese cooking, insights into bento culture, and more!
Sponsored by Bento&co, your go-to shop for eating healthier, reducing your environmental impact and saving money with authentic Japanese bento boxes and accessories. en.bentoandco.com
Episode 13: A Deep Dive into Matcha and Japanese Tea with Ian Chun, CEO of Yunomi.lifeIan Chun
Ian Chun, CEO of Yunomi.life, explores the uniqueness of Japanese tea, shifts in Japanese tea consumption, and the global rise of matcha in this interview.
8 Mar 2024
Episode 12: Jakub Horak
Japanese Food: The Podcast is back!
Late last year, we sat down with Jakub Horák, a Czech chef who specializes in Japanese washoku cuisine, and the winner of the 2022 Washoku World Challenge, a global Japanese cooking competition for non-Japanese chefs.
We chatted with Jakub about his time studying and competing in Japan, the state of washoku in Europe, and more.
5 Jan 2024
Episode 11: Ramen Lord (Mike Satinover)
Happy New Year! Japanese Food is back, with a very special guest!
Mike Satinover, AKA Ramen_Lord on Reddit and Instagram, is a modern legend in the English-speaking ramen world.
We sat down last year with Mike to chat about all things ramen, as well as learn more about his recently opened restaurant in Chicago, Akahoshi Ramen (https://www.akahoshiramen.com/).
27 Nov 2023
Episode 10: Chris Mahmood
Welcome back to Japanese Food: The Podcast. In this episode, we interviewed our newest hire at Bento&co, Chris Mahmood.
Chris joined the Bento&co team recently, relocating to Kyoto from Akkeshi, Hokkaido where he was living for 6 years. During his time there as an English teacher on the JET program, Chris came to love Hokkaido for its breathtaking scenery, fascinating wildlife, and, of course, mouth-watering cuisine. We sat down to chat about life and food in Hokkaido, as well as share some of our recent favorite spots in Kyoto.
Brought to you by Bento&co, your go-to shop for eating healthier, reducing your environmental impact and saving money with authentic Japanese bento boxes and accessories. Shop online at en.bentoandco.com (https://en.bentoandco.com/discount/PODCAST) and take 10% off your first purchase with code PODCAST.
19 Oct 2023
Episode 9: Randy Channell Soei
We're back! In this episode, we had the privilege of sitting down for a fascinating conversation with our Kyoto neighbor, Randy Channell Soei.
Randy Channell Soei, a Canadian tea master of the Urasenke tradition is an author and long term resident of Kyoto. He has a deep passion for his art, chanoyu (the way of tea), and is one of the few foreigners licensed to teach this traditional Japanese culture. Soei sensei operates ran Hotei (https://ranhotei.com/), a cafe in Kyoto's Sanjo shopping arcade, set in a beautifully renovated machiya. Here he has regular tea lessons as well as hosts tea ceremony experiences for people visiting Kyoto.
Brought to you by Bento&co, your go-to shop for eating healthier, reducing your environmental impact and saving money with authentic Japanese bento boxes and accessories. Shop online at en.bentoandco.com (https://en.bentoandco.com/discount/PODCAST) and take 10% off your first purchase with code PODCAST.
29 Jun 2023
Episode 8: Yuji Haraguchi
We’re excited to share episode 8 of our podcast with you, featuring Yuji Haraguchi, a chef passionate about fish.
Yuji (https://www.instagram.com/haraguchiyuji/) is the founder and owner of OKONOMI Yuji ramen, Osakana Brooklyn, and Osakana East Village in New York City. We chatted about Yuji’s favorite fish (Medai—Japanese Sea Bream), why he wanted to introduce Mazemen to America, the Japanese philosophy of "Mottainai" that guides his work, and much more!
Learn more about Yuji on his website (https://www.yujiharaguchi.com/about). Visiting Kyoto? Be sure to check out another of Yuji's restaurants, Lorimer Kyoto (https://www.instagram.com/lorimer_kyoto)
Fish Bone Revolution - Broth made from upcycled fish bones (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/yujiharaguchi/fish-bone-revolution-broth-made-from-upcycled-fish-bones?lang=es)
Brought to you by Bento&co, your go-to shop for eating healthier, reducing your environmental impact and saving money with authentic Japanese bento boxes and accessories. Shop online at en.bentoandco.com (https://en.bentoandco.com/discount/PODCAST) and take 10% off your first purchase with code PODCAST.
11 Apr 2023
Episode 7: Jeweliann & Thomas
In this episode, we have something unique in store for you. Rather than having a guest, you'll be hearing from your hosts, Thomas and Jeweliann! While they aren't experts on Japanese cuisine, their love for it is undeniable. Tune in to hear them discuss their favorite Japanese dishes, food trends of 2022 (did someone say scallop oatmeal?), and some possibly contentions opinions on Japanese food.
Brought to you by Bento&co, your go-to shop for eating healthier, reducing your environmental impact and saving money with authentic Japanese bento boxes and accessories. Shop online at en.bentoandco.com (https://en.bentoandco.com/discount/PODCAST) and take 10% off your first purchase with code PODCAST.
3 Feb 2023
Episode 6: Yukari Sakamoto
We’re back with another podcast episode, this time with sommelier, shochu advisor and food tour guide, Yukari Sakamoto.
Born in Tokyo and raised in Minnesota, Yukari Sakamoto is the author of Food Sake Tokyo (https://foodsaketokyo.com/), a fantastic English-language guide devoted specifically to eating and drinking in Tokyo.
We talk about Sho-chu, Shokado bento, Yukari’s experience working as a sommelier at Takashimaya department store + Park Hyatt Tokyo, and much more!
Brought to you by Bento&co, your go-to shop for eating healthier, reducing your environmental impact and saving money with authentic Japanese bento boxes and accessories. Shop online at en.bentoandco.com (https://en.bentoandco.com/discount/PODCAST) and take 10% off your first purchase with code PODCAST.
23 Dec 2022
Episode 5: Tim Anderson
We were so happy to speak with the UK-based, American chef and cookbook author Tim Anderson (https://www.instagram.com/cheftimanderson). After relocating to London from Japan, Tim won BBC’s MasterChef in 2011 and went on to open the Japanese ‘ramen izakaya’ restaurant Nanban. Tim is the author of 6 cookbooks on Japanese food, most recently “JapanEasy Bowls & Bento: Simple and Satisfying Japanese Recipes for All Day, Every Day” (https://www.amazon.com/JapanEasy-Bowls-Bento-Satisfying-Japanese/dp/178488569X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&asin=B09RMYT61Y&revisionId=e010376f&format=1&depth=1)
We talk about Tim’s favorite conbini, the TV show Iron Chef, Eki-ben, Ainu cuisine and much more!
Brought to you by Bento&co, your go-to shop for eating healthier, reducing your environmental impact and saving money with authentic Japanese bento boxes and accessories. Shop online at en.bentoandco.com (https://en.bentoandco.com/discount/PODCAST) and take 10% off your first purchase with code PODCAST.
2 Dec 2022
Episode 4: Elizabeth Andoh
We're back! On Episode 4, we had the honor of speaking with Elizabeth Andoh, who is widely regarded as the leading English-language expert on Washoku. Trained formally at the prestigious Yanagihara School of Classical Japanese Cuisine (Tokyo), Elizabeth now directs A Taste of Culture, a Tokyo based culinary arts program. In our conversation she shares about the features of washoku and washoku as a "mindset", how washoku guidelines are the roadmap to making amazing bento, and the bento that she would make for her granddaughter!
Discover Elizabeth Andoh's Work
A Taste of Culture Website (https://tasteofculture.com/)
A Taste of Culture Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063924811335)
Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Home Kitchen (https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/248361.Washoku)
Brought to you by Bento&co, your go-to shop for eating healthier, reducing your environmental impact and saving money with authentic Japanese bento boxes and accessories. Shop online at en.bentoandco.com (https://en.bentoandco.com/discount/PODCAST) and take 10% off your first purchase with code PODCAST.
4 Nov 2022
Episode 3: Momoko Nakamura
We’re excited to share episode 3 of our podcast with you, featuring Momoko Nakamura, an author and online food educator passionate about cultural conservation and the intersection of food and environmental responsibility. We talked about how the wisdom of Japanese traditions can help us in our modern age, allowing us to discover the goodness of plant-based eating and low-waste lifestyles! While we talked, we also got to sample some delicious foods from a wonderful zero-waste shop and deli here in Kyoto called Totoya.
Every wonder why chopsticks are placed horizontally on the table in Japanese cuisine? Momoko unpacks the fascinating spiritual reason behind this and more. Listen and learn!
Discover Momoko's Work
Website (https://www.momokonakamura.com/)
Roots to Fruit | Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/jp/podcast/roots-to-fruit/id1582737212)
Plant Based Tokyo | Book (https://www.momokonakamura.com/plantbasedtokyo)
The Japanese Art of Regenerative Living | Online Course
Totoya
Website (https://totoya-zerowaste.com/)
Brought to you by Bento&co, your go-to shop for eating healthier, reducing your environmental impact and saving money with authentic Japanese bento boxes and accessories. Shop online at en.bentoandco.com (https://en.bentoandco.com/discount/PODCAST) and take 10% off your first purchase with code PODCAST.
20 Oct 2022
Episode 2: Marc Matsumoto
We loved getting to chat with Marc Matsumoto—culinary consultant, chef and host of the NHK show, Bento Expo (https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/bento/).
Even in our brief conversation, Marc shared so many fascinating tidbits of food science and food history, reflecting his insatiable desire to understand food from every angle.
Hear why his food blog is named "No Recipes", his passion for educating people about cooking techniques, the story of potatoes and how bento is good for our physical and mental health!
No Recipes Blog (https://norecipes.com/)
No Recipes Youtube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQNUQ7x-aEPY5jmIq1RllEg)
We're honored to partner with Marc to offer a curated selection of Japanese cooking tools! Selected by Marc, these are tried-and-true tools he uses in his own kitchen. Discover here. (https://en.bentoandco.com/collections/marc-matsumotos-favorite-products)
Brought to you by Bento&co, your go-to shop for eating healthier, reducing your environmental impact and saving money with authentic Japanese bento boxes and accessories. Shop online at en.bentoandco.com (https://en.bentoandco.com/discount/PODCAST) and take 10% off your first purchase with code PODCAST.
13 Oct 2022
Episode 1: Makiko Itoh
We’re kicking off the podcast with a conversation with Makiko Itoh, who's been writing online about Japanese food for over 15 years and writes the Japanese Kitchen column for the Japan Times. If you enjoy making bento or eating Japanese food, you're probably familiar with her wonderful blogs and best selling “Just Bento” cookbooks (https://justbento.com/handbook/just-bento-cookbook). If not, you're missing out!
Hear how Makiko decided to share her love of Japanese food online after experiencing burnout as a web developer and how her blog about bento inspired Thomas to start selling bento boxes online. We talk about sushi, Spaghetti Napolitan, the Japanese pear fairy Funassyi and much more.
Read the transcript here. (https://en.bentoandco.com/blogs/bento/japanese-food-the-podcast-episode-1-makiko-itoh-transcript)
Makiko's Blogs and Writing:
JustHungry.com (https://www.justhungry.com/)
JustBento.com (https://justbento.com/)
Makiko Itoh on Japanese Culture Facebook Page
Japan Times "Japanese Kitchen" column (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/int-makiko_itoh/)
Recipe: Spaghetti Napolitan (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2015/01/20/food/spaghetti-napolitan-japans-unique-take-pasta/)
Brought to you by Bento&co, your go-to shop for eating healthier, reducing your environmental impact and saving money with authentic Japanese bento boxes and accessories. Shop online at en.bentoandco.com (https://en.bentoandco.com/discount/PODCAST) and take 10% off your first purchase with code PODCAST.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
643,906
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
4.8 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 45 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
21
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
85
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