Kozmo Kitchen makes broth from scratch with kombu from Hokkaido (the best!).

To make richer flavor we sometimes blend kezuri gatsuo (bonito flakes) or mixed fish flakes.

Talk about natural umami bomb!

What is it that separates a special meal from all the rest? A meal you savor while eating and you feel good about sharing with family and recommending to friends? Sometimes, it’s the little things–like the pickles we hand make for all our bentos!

Whether it’s pickled cucumbers, pickled cabbage, or a mix of pickled veggies, pickles are a standard item that helps make bento a unique and fabulous choice.

Kyuri karashizuke (Persian cucumber pickled in Japanese mustard) are our hometown Akita’s recipe. Hakusai asazuke (Napa cabbage quick pickles) with carrot, cucumber and shredded kombu, is simple and refreshing with a citrus twist. No MSG, of course, because kombu provides loads of umami!

We never compromise on the quality of our meals, and our pickles are a perfect example of our philosophy at work. They’re not only tastier, they’re much healthier, too!

I am back from Japan where I enjoyed great times with family and lots of culinary exploration–and many new discoveries to bring back for Kozmo Kitchen!

This week, we are pleased to offer a seasonal treat for the start of summer: Hiyashi Chuka!

Every year, toward the end of the Tsuyu (Japan’s rainy reason from mid-June to the end of July), you start seeing banners flapping in front of local Chinese and Japanese eateries that read, ”Hiyashi Chuka Hajimemashita (Hiyashi Chuka is now available).” That means, “Summer is here. If you don’t eat Hiyashi Chuka now, it will be gone before you know it.”

Learn more about Hiyashi Chuka and check out my recipes at my North American Post article.

And get your orders in now!

Hiyashi Chuka Lunch

Date: Thursday, June 21

Delivery Locations: Big Fish Games, N5 Networks, Nordstrom, selected Amazon locations

Order Now!

Dinner: Hiyashi Chuka & Taste of Summer Bento

You can enjoy a larger portion of Hiyashi Chuka for your family dinner. Or try my Taste of Summer Bento and enjoy all the wonderful summer vegetables (plus everyone’s favorite Karaage Chicken)! I love to enjoy cooking fresh summer vegetables. So here is a bento showcasing wonderful ingredients of the season, such as corn, eggplant, zucchini, okra, cucumber, tomatoes, etc.

I will finalize the full menu after seeing what looks good at the market–check the ordering page if you’re curious about details. And please note, it will not be vegetarian.

Pick-up Locations:
Queen Anne Kitchen (521 1st Ave N, Seattle) – 4pm
Queen Anne Expo – 4:10pm
Queen Anne Lumen – 4:20pm
Haller Lake – 5:30-7:00pm

Order Now!

I am excited to announce my newest class, coming up on Wednesday, July 18 at Tom Douglas’ Hot Stove Society in downtown Seattle.

Hiyashi Chuka is a dish of chilled ramen noodles with colorful toppings such as shredded vegetables, egg crepes and a variety of meats served with a refreshing dressing or tare sauce. The beautiful presentation and bright flavors of this dish will stimulate your taste buds even on the hottest summer day.

See you there!

Sign up now! http://www.hotstovesociety.com/classes/Chilled-Ramen-for-Summer

We are away in Japan for a couple weeks. Here are some pictures from the Tohoku Kizuna Festival in Morioka, Japan.

The sun is out, the garden is popping and last night I completed my first PCC Cooks class of the new season. It must be spring time!

Come learn to make bento with me. Spaces are still available at these locations:

Columbia City, Redmond, Bothell, Edmonds, Green Lake Village.

Sign up now at PCC Cooks!

 

 

Our mission is to make people happy through Japanese home cooking. We feel fortunate to be able to share our culinary heritage with you. So, it brings us a big smile and a warm feeling inside when we hear that you appreciate our efforts. And, most importantly, that you share the same passion we do for authentic Japanese food. Thank you, Mark at Big Fish Games, for choosing Kozmo Kitchen and for being so kind with your words.

Donburi Lunch

Donburi is a favorite Japanese comfort food. It’s a rice bowl with a variety of meat, seafood (cooked or raw) and/or vegetables on top of premium rice. It’s a compact and very satisfying meal. The workday lunch break you deserve!

This week, we offer two kinds of donburi: Katsu Don and Buta Shogayaki (ginger pork) Don. Actually, Katsu Don is a repeated menu since people love it 🙂  Shogayaki Don is a twist on one of our most popular bento boxes, Ginger Pork Bento. Give it a try this week! Karaage Bento is also available.

Lunch Delivery:

April 24 (Tue) and April 25 (Wed) – Big Fish Games, F5 Networks, Nordstrom  Order

April 26 (Thu) – Amazon SLU (Wainwright, Rufus, Brazil, Blackfoot, Day1)  Order

Seasonal Okowa Dinner Bento Is Back!

We offered Sansai Okowa Bento last week and got a bunch of positive comments and reviews. So we decided to do it again! Supplies are limited, but we were able to find fresh fiddle heads and bamboo shoots at local markets. However, they are very expensive ingredients, so this week will be the last offer for the year. Our other popular bentos are also available for pick-up on Friday.

Dinner Pick-up:

Assorted Bentos April 27 (Fri) – Oroshi Katsu, Karaage Chicken and Eggplant Miso Sauce (Queen Anne & Haller Lake)  Order

Okowa Bento will be available on April 28 (Sat) only (Queen Anne & Haller Lake)  Order

Come home to Kozmo Kitchen!

Want to stock up your freezer with delicious Japanese home cooking? (Do we really need to ask?)

Doria is a yummy rice casserole dish topped with bechamel sauce and a variety of cheeses. Rice with shrimp or chicken and mushrooms is seasoned with ketchup and white wine. Just pop it in the oven and 45 minutes later find yourself transported to a comfy Japanese dinner table. If this is not the ultimate comfort food, what would be??

Keeping Kozmo Kitchen Take n’ Bake on hand is the perfect solution for those busy weeknights when you need something to make the whole family smile–including you! In addition to our super satisfying Shrimp Doria, we are now also offering our homey Chicken Doria.

Supplies are limited, so hurry on over and grab yours today!

Order Now! Shrimp Doria or Chicken Doria

I have been super-charged for the wonderful opportunity to travel to Japan with you this fall. It’s sad to report that due to some logistic issues about hotel reservations in one of the destinations, the tour has been pulled off…A new schedule has not been determined yet, but we’re planning to revisit it in a few months.

Thank you all who helped me spread the words, and those who signed up for the trip. I really hope we can make it happen soon since my home country Japan is a fascinating destination with so many surprises in each every way.

If you have any questions please let me know at kozmosalon@gmail.com.

 

Thank you,

Kanako