What is Umami?

UMAMI

It's one of the five basic tastes. We all understand sweet, sour, salty and bitter very well since they were explained to us and have been part of our vocabulary for as long as we know. Umami on the other hand didn't really come into the picture until recently (even though the taste was identified in 1908 in Tokyo by professor Kikunae Ikeda, who one day noticed that the taste of kombu dashi, kelp broth, was different than any other basic flavors). It wasn't until 1985 that it became recognized as the fifth basic taste. Nowadays, the term is widely used in anything from TV commercials, articles and cooking shows. 

The quick way to explain umami is that it has a meaty, savory, long lasting taste. The reason why it's so difficult to describe is because there is no translation for the word (the literal translation is close to 'pleasant savory taste.') Umami's role is to enhance and round the flavor of a dish (think of MSG). Umami stimulates the mouth and throat, creating a mouth watering feeling. On its own, umami doesn't taste that great, but mixed with other flavors and ingredients, it amplifies the taste intensity.

Understanding Glutamate (the basis of umami)

taken from msginfo.com

The amino acid glutamate could well be called "nature's flavor enhancer" because it conveys the umami taste in foods. Glutamate is also well known among food and nutrition professionals as one of the most common "building blocks" of protein. As such, it's no surprise that most foods contain some amount of glutamate. Protein foods, such as meat, fish, cheese, milk and some vegetables are especially good sources of glutamate. Not coincidentally, these foods also have a lot of umami taste. In some foods, the amount of glutamate they contain—and their flavor—increases as they age or ripen. For example, according to research, aged ham and aged cheese have much more glutamate than their "younger" counterparts. A tomato is also a good example. As it ripens from green to red, its glutamate content increases dramatically. The superior flavor of the ripe tomato can be attributed, in part, to its higher glutamate level.

Foods containing lots of umami (glutamate):

soy sauce, mushrooms, cheeses, cured meats, fish (sardines, oysters, shrimp paste), seaweed,

ripe tomatoes, soybeans, truffle, green tea.

Quick and healthy spinach and eggdrop soup recipe

Bamboo Izakaya's quick and healthy recipe of the week!

Similar to miso soup but made with a clear broth, spinach, tofu and egg drop soup is easy to make and great for those looking to shed a few pounds, without having to give up on good flavors! 

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 bag of pre-washed spinach (about 4 handfuls)
• 1/2 box of silken tofu, drained and cut into small cubes
• 5 scallions, roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 8 cups bonito broth (I use powdered bonito and use about 1/2 tsp per cup)
• 1 tbsp mirin
•  salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Directions

1. In a large pot, bring the broth to boil. Meanwhile, chop the spinach into strips
2. (chiffonade style, by stacking the leaves and rolling them into a tube, then
3. chopping them into strips). When the water is boiling, add the mirin and soy,
4. stir well. Break the eggs in a small bowl and lightly whisk. Turn the heat down
5. so the broth is simmering, slowly add the eggs and gently whisk while stirring.
6. Add spinach, scallions and tofu. Cook for another 5 minutes, season with salt
7. and pepper, and serve.

Cherry blossom festival

Who doesn't like looking at the beautiful cherry blossoms! They are such a big part of Japanese culture as they celebrate the arrival of spring time and symbolize the extreme beauty and fleeting nature of life (cherry blossoms quickly bloom and die), which comes from Buddhism.

Hanami, which literally means flower viewing, is a popular activity all across Japan. Families and friends will bring a picnic and settle under a fully bloomed cherry blossom tree, spending the day enjoying the weather, eating bento style food and drinking sake. There are also hanami festivals and foods created specifically for this event. Kit kat makes a special cherry blossom green tea flavor only available during that time as well as Starbucks with a special cherry blossom and white chocolate frappuccino. In fact, it is such a popular practice that meteorological agencies track the sakura zensen (cherry blossom front) to alert the population of the arrival of hanami.

Cherry blosson green tea Kit Kat only sold during hanami season.

Nowadays, cherry blossom trees and festival have become popular in the United States and other countries too. You can usually find a hanami festivals where there's a large population of Japanese immigrants, such as California, New York City and Washington D.C, which has the largest amount of cherry blossom trees in the country.

Hanami usually happens between March and May, so this is the time to go for a picnic and enjoy the beauty of spring with its bright pink flowers adorning our parks and streets.

Celebrate spring with us!

Bamboo Izakaya meets world's best sushi

Did you know that Bamboo Izakaya owner Jeremy Umland is one the executive producers of the top Netflix documentary 'JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI'? When the idea of creating a documentary about an old man who's only dream in life is to create the most perfect pieces of sushi, Jeremy couldn't resist and got right on board with it!

The documentary follows the life of Jiro Ono, an 85 year-old sushi master who owns a 3 Michelin star restaurant in Ginza, Tokyo. Though he's already been crowned as the best sushi chef in the world, Jiro continues his quest to perfect the art of sushi. Working every single day with his two sons Takashi (who eventually goes on to open another sushi restaurant in Roppongi Hills) and Yoshikazu, this documentary focuses on the relationship between Jiro and his eldest son, who fails to live up to his father's expectations, and the constant pursuit for perfection.

Nominated at the Tribeca film festival and winner of the Detroit Film Critics Society, this documentary will make you want to hop on a plane to Tokyo for a bite of the world's best sushi.

PRETZ please!

Pretz - Melon pan flavor

Recognized as one of the most popular snacks in Japan, Pretz (pronounced Purittsu) are crunchy biscuit/pretzel sticks dusted with over 75 different flavors (mostly savory ones). Sold either in a box (4 packs) or as individual snacks (1 bag), Pretz are about as addictive as a tube of Pringles. Most flavors are only sold in Japan so next time you find yourself inside a Seven Eleven in Tokyo, see how many flavors you can find!

Chicken wing Pretz

Some specific flavors are only sold in certain parts of Japan to showcase the region's specialty - Fukuoka for example has giant Mentaiko (spicy cod roe) flavored Pretz because they make the best mentaiko. Hiroshima Pretz is Okonomiyaki (Japanese pizza), Kyoto is wasabi, and the list goes on. 

Pineapple Pretz

So far we can say that Super Butter Pretz (which can be found in most Japanese supermarkets in the States) and Bacon Pretz are favorites of the Bamboo staff. We also love the savory Tomato Pretz and Salad Pretz, while Corn Pretz and Roast Pretz are go to options when craving something sweeter. Some flavors are definitely strange at first, but because they're so lightly dusted with seasoning, the wonderful taste of the cookie is what you're always left with in the end. Now look at the list below and see how many flavors you've tried!

Corn bacon Pretz      

PRETZ FLAVORS - Can you think of more that are not on this list?

• ROAST PRETZ
• SALAD PRETZ
• 11 TYPES MIXED SALAD PRETZ                                                
• TOMATO PRETZ (ALSO AVAILABLE IN GIANT SIZE)
• HONEY MUSTARD PRETZ (AKA AMERICAN PRETZ)
• CORN PRETZ
• KONA COFFEE PRETZ
• SALT CARAMEL PRETZ
• PIZZA PRETZ
• EDAMAME PRETZ
• BLACK PEPPER PRETZ
• HONEY AND POMELO PRETZ
• BAKED POTATO PRETZ
• CHEESE AND POTATO PRETZ
• BUTTER PRETZ
• BACON PRETZ
• MAPLE SYRUP PRETZ
• MAPLE AND BUTTER PRETZ
• EGG PUDDING PRETZ
• MOZZARELLA MEETS WINE PRETZ
• CHEDDAR MEETS WINE PRETZ
• FRIED PRETZ
• MELON PRETZ
• SPICY CHICKEN PRETZ (AKA BEER PRETZ)
• CACAO PRETZ
• BASIL PRETZ
• PURPLE POTATO PRETZ
• ASPARAGUS PRETZ
• CHEDDAR PRETZ
• CHEESE PRETZ
• CORN BACON PRETZ
• SCALLOP BUTTER PRETZ
• HAM & CHEESE PRETZ
• HARD-BAKED PRETZ
• PUMPKIN PRETZ
• POTSTICKER PRETZ
• GREEN BEAN PRETZ
• HATCHIMITZU PRETZ(AKA HONEY PANCAKE PRETZ, KID'S SIZE)
• MILK COCOA PRETZ (KID'S SIZE)
• FRUITS PRETZ
• HERB CHICKEN PRETZ
• BLUEBERRY CHEESE DOUBLE PRETZ
• MATCHA VANILLA DOUBLE PRETZ
• EBI CHILI PRETZ (AKA SHRIMP CHILI SAUCE PRETZ, ALSO AVAILABLE IN GIANT SIZE)
• HOKKAIDO POTATO PRETZ
• FRENCH TOAST PRETZ
• GRILLED CURRY PRETZ
• BAKERY FLAT STYLE PRETZ
• TAKOYAKI PRETZ
• MAPO TOFU PRETZ (AKA PANDA PRETZ DUE TO THE PANDA IMAGE ON THE BOX)
• APPLE PRETZ
• MELON PAN PRETZ
• SALT BUTTER PRETZ
• SEAWEED WASABI PRETZ (LIMITED EDITION)
• SPICY SQUID PRETZ (LIMITED EDITION)
• GIANT PRETZ EDO (LIMITED EDITION SOLD IN TOKYO, JAPAN)
• GIANT EEL PRETZ (LIMITED EDITION SOLD IN SHIZUOKA, JAPAN)
• SOBA PRETZ (DISCONTINUED LIMITED EDITION SOLD IN SHINSHU, JAPAN)
• GIANT NOZAWANA PRETZ (AKA PICKLED GREEN VEGETABLE PRETZ, LIMITED EDITION SOLD IN SHINSHU, JAPAN)
• GIANT HACCHO MISO PRETZ (LIMITED EDITION SOLD IN AICHI, JAPAN)
• GIANT MENTAIKO PRETZ (LIMITED EDITION SOLD IN KYUSHU, JAPAN)
• HAWAIIAN PINEAPPLE PRETZ (SOLD IN HAWAII)
• LARB PRETZ (SOLD IN THAILAND)
• CHILLI CHA CHA PRETZ (SOLD IN THAILAND)
• COCONUT PRETZ (SOLD IN GUAM AND SAIPAN)
• MAPLE PRETZ (SOLD IN CANADA, AKA CANADA PRETZ)
• ABALONE PRETZ (SOLD IN HONG KONG)
• SHARK'S FIN PRETZ (SOLD IN HONG KONG)
• HAIRY CRAB PRETZ (SOLD IN SHANGHAI)
• PEKING DUCK PRETZ (SOLD IN SHANGHAI)
• SICHUAN MALA PRETZ (SOLD IN SHANGHAI)
• GREEN TEA PRETZ (SOLD IN JAPAN)
• GREEN PEA PRETZ (SOLD IN JAPAN)
• UME PRETZ (SOLD IN JAPAN)
• GIANT SALMON PRETZ (SOLD IN JAPAN)
• GIANT APPLE PRETZ (SOLD IN JAPAN)
• GIANT OKONOMIYAKI PRETZ (SOLD IN JAPAN)