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Newsroom
38 minutes ago
- General
- Newsroom
No one says no in Japan
It was in the Yoshida machiya (merchant house) in Kyoto that I first came to admire those qualities of Japanese architecture that continue to intrigue me. The exposed clarity of post-and-beam structure; the open-plan flow of space, always able to be modified to suit seasonal need by shoji and fusuma screens; the use of patterned wood; the ranma (transoms) that divide ceiling space between rooms; and, of course, the soft, grassy, sweet-smelling tatami. The centre of such a Japanese house is always the tokonoma, a slightly raised, timber-framed alcove with a tatami floor on which a single valued object might be displayed. I have been in so many houses of this kind in the years following yet never once have I failed to be moved by their quiet, subdued elegance. No book can convey the experience of simply walking in these rooms through which the partially screened light from outside seeps through various shading devices. There is no music or extraneous noise, just the sound of foliage rustling, rain falling, wooden doors softly rattling or crows calling. Once, at the temple of Entsu-ji in Northern Kyoto, famous for its use of Shakkei – the borrowed landscape – in this case of sacred Mt Hiei in the far distance – I had to beg for silence. The monks had 'helpfully' installed a sound system over which one of them broadcast a droning, continuous commentary. I could not believe my ears. One of Japan's most famous places for anyone interested in the relationship of buildings to landscape ruined by jabber! I asked for reprieve but only succeeded in having the volume slightly turned down. In New Zealand I would have made more of a fuss but in Japan one does not. This would have incurred the silent stare of incomprehension. Mokusatsu: death by silence. No one says 'No' in Japan. Neither do they give an unequivocal 'Yes'. I had to train my Auckland friend Motoharu that the reply to the question 'Would you like a cup of coffee?' was not 'Are you having one?' I call it the culture of 'maybe'. It takes some getting used to but once one realises that disagreement of any kind in Japan implies some lack of respect for another, then, especially if one is mostly restricted to English, it is necessary to change gear a little. Sometimes in a restaurant – before learning that there is no deviation from what is on the menu – a non-Japanese might ask if the Kewpie mayonnaise on a Toast Morning breakfast salad could be held. Just a moment. The staff member will then disappear and return a short time later with another who will ask you what seems to be the problem. You repeat your request. Ah! Smiling. Just a moment. When the third employee arrives you realise that this is a Committee of NO – however, the word will not be uttered. Never ask for anything that is not on the menu. Insistence never works in Japan; one must simply become Japanese, conforming to established etiquette as politely as the Japanese do themselves. I have watched Americans and Australians yelling and gesticulating at bewildered hotel front desk staff before retreating in anglophonic shame. Nachi: the tallest waterfall in Japan. Etiquette is not a concept about which much is heard nowadays, yet second-hand bookshops used to be filled with solemn volumes on the subject. In the 1970s when table manners came to be regarded as social class indicators many New Zealand parents stopped teaching them. It was never so in Japan. Once, in a Gion restaurant, I watched entranced as a perhaps 20-year-old man manipulated his hashi (chopsticks) and napkin with an elegance bordering on the balletic. After raising food to his mouth he covered it with his cupped spare hand so that the act of chewing was obscured. Then, in slow motion, he would raise his napkin to his face, pat it lightly and then place it on his lap again before beginning the same seamless ritualistic movement for the next mouthful. In November 2014 I went to look at Kengo Kuma's elegant OMI Steak House in the now demolished Kokusai Hotel in Kyoto and decided that it would be a crime not to eat there. Seated, like everyone else, above the spotless central cooking area I had a perfect view of the culinary processes and of the other guests. Soon I became aware that an ancient lady was looking at me with some interest, smiling. I returned the gesture eventually raising my glass, as she also did. It crossed my mind that she must be a former geisha, such being the delicacy of her movement and facial expression. When the white-uniformed chef brought me another glass of chablis I asked him who she was. 'That is Sumiko. She is 90 years old. She comes here once a week.' After some further glass raising I got up from my bench and moved over to sit beside her. She seemed delighted, placing her hand over mine while we talked in both languages and did a lot of silent smiling and bowing. Lacking the financial resources ever to contemplate visiting an establishment where I might have been served by geisha I determined to enjoy this one encounter to the full. Yes, she did indeed like champagne, so I bought us both a glass. The graceful arabesques she drew in the air with her hands as we eventually said goodbye were as entrancing as the way in which she had used her chopsticks. Taken with kind permission from the extraordinary new travel memoir Japan: An autobiography by Peter Shaw (Six Point Press, $45), available from selected bookstores or direct from the publisher.
Buzz Feed
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
23 Pieces Of Unique Home Decor From Etsy
A retro trinket print featuring a Tootsie Roll, Hooked on Books pin, Kewpie cutie, and other odds and ends that'll add some quirky creativity to your home. The cream backing is a great way to ease some color into your place if you fully embraced the beige and want to slowly add more color into your everyday decor. A very special rug so you can celebrate your love of Y2K cartoons the best way you know a hand-tufted SpongeBob and Patrick floor rug. This IS the best way to highlight your flawless taste. No ifs, ands, or ~butts~ about it. A bestselling succulent sun catcher that's gonna make you thank the universe for the talented crafter in this world who has created the *best* houseplant this side of the sun. A woven squiggle sculpture — a cozier take on the bright, plastic, and shiny wavy decor trend hitting cool kids' homes these days. The hemp twine and cotton rope are sure to blend naturally with the softer features of your aesthetic, while the design lets you enjoy the same fun frivolity of the squiggle. A woven throw blanket so you can sneakily embrace your horse girl life with a sophisticated accent piece. An alphabet wallpaper with simple, adorable sketches for each letter. If you've been looking for a way to enhance your kiddo's room in one fell swoop, doing so with this wallpaper is gonna be as easy as ABC! A Pop-Tart-inspired light switch cover that'll add a *pop* of personality to your place. If you want to make a room stand out, never skip the simple things! Light switch covers (THIS cute) make a massive difference. A clashing patterns print for anyone who feels like they're gonna qwack up when they don't have their ducks in a row. The best way to make that happen? Getting a new piece of home decor for the empty space on the wall that's irking you to no end. Probably. A personalized "our songs" cassette print you can customize by adding songs that are significant to your family, best friends, or sweetheart. Sweet. Some knitted charcuterie for folks who know kids don't have to have the monopoly on adorable decor. How cute would these look in your kitchen?! The answer: very. A very boring banner you and your boo can hang across the fireplace with pride. If the biggest adrenaline rush you two get is from canceling plans last minute to watch The Pitt together, this is the decor for you. And a complementary couch club ticket print with an equally bold color palette AND stay-at-home sentiment. A set of Goldfish fridge magnets for cool folks who love covering their refrigerator with pictures and drawings (and crackers) and LIFE! The fridge is *primo* real estate for that stuff. A microwave dinner wall sculpture to serve up a heaping dose of tasty, tasty nostalgia in your home. Did I mention these *sparkle?!* Delicious. Puffy bookends that'll add a striking, modern touch to your bookshelves. These 3D printed pieces are equal parts silly and chic, which'll give your bookshelves an effortlessly cool vibe — particularly when these hold up your copies of Infinite Jest, Anna Karenina, and The Power Broker. Wow, you are so well read. An origami chandelier kit — this is gonna dazzle and delight maximalists who know a statement piece when they ~sea~ one. A stuffed olive doorknob for quirky souls who love covering their home in oddball accessories. Your house guests are gonna be all, "~Olive~ this idea!" whenever they open your cupboards. Of course they are. A New York City throw blanket in such a bright fabric your brain'll feel like you're taking a trip (to the greatest city in the world) every time you see it. Get cozy under a blanket, celebrating The Big Apple's junk food, public transit, and animal life. A 3-in-1 kitchen tower your child can use as a step stool, a table, and a slide. Finding fun, colorful, and *practical* children's products for your home is no small task. Give yourself a pat on the back for finding a multi-use piece of furniture this functional — and fun! A downright delightful trope ticket you can proudly display beside your unapologetic collection of romance novels full of plot points that are so formulaic it's practically math. Because guess what?! It's NICE to start a book and know that everything is going to work out between the small town baker and the 300-year-old baddie who she originally, you know, hated. But now they're in love. It's not complicated! It's cute. AND the bookshelf decor in its honor? Even cuter. And go ahead and snag a bookshelf street sign while you're at it, because it'd be a shame to only subtly display your faerie smut collection. Give them the respect they DESERVE! A Y2K-inspired punch needle coaster so you can add some random fun to your coffee table *instead* of random water marks. A magnetic fridge wrap that'll save you from your rental's gloomy white refrigerator. Covering up a bland appliance is sure to completely revamp your kitchen. Maybe you'll even start cooking in it when it looks this good. Maybe.
Eater
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
The Best Dishes Eater Editors Ate This Week: May 27
The editors at Eater LA dine out several times a week, if not per day, which means we're always encountering standout dishes that deserve time in the limelight. Here's the very best of everything the team has eaten this week. La District from All'Antico Vinaio in Koreatown When Florence's sandwich shop All'Antico Vinaio first opened in LA, any location was pretty much guaranteed to come with a line and a lengthy wait. Now that there are a few locations across LA, it's much easier (and dare I say much more enjoyable) to swing by for a schiacciata sandwich topped with all manner of Italian meats and cheeses. A recent favorite of mine is the La District with pancetta, pecorino cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and arugula. The thin-sliced pancetta is salty and fatty, which works well against the acidity of the sun-dried tomatoes. The pecorino cream has all the flavors of a more traditional sliced pecorino, but in spreadable form, ensuring that there aren't any naked corners of the sandwich. The arugula is a welcome green with the richness of the other ingredients, and adds a pleasant pepperiness. The La District comes in at $17 right now, but it's easily large enough to feed two, and the staff here are always generous with toppings. 3923 W. Sixth Street, Los Angeles, CA 90020. — Rebecca Roland, editor, Southern California/Southwest Fried fish sandwich from Little Fish in Echo Park Like clockwork, as soon as the weather warms up, I start craving fried fish sandwiches. One of the best around town right now can be found at Little Fish, set in the front of Echo Park's Dada Market. The pop-up gone permanent is still serving its famous fish sandwich, with a slab of crispy fish on a plush potato bun. The sandwich is simple, topped with just Kewpie mayo, a slice of American cheese, and dill pickles, but it doesn't need anything else. The fish is always hot and crispy, and there's no better place to enjoy the sandwich than one of the benches looking out toward Sunset Boulevard. For a side, try the nori potatoes dunked in garlic aioli. 1606 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026. — Rebecca Roland, editor, Southern California/Southwest Chicken Parmesan sandwich from Starbird in Redondo Beach I don't typically highlight chain fast-casual restaurants, but a recent visit to Starbird in Hermosa Beach left me delighted by at least one of their many fried chicken dishes. The chain, originally from the Bay Area with a specific focus on antibiotic-free chicken and more health-forward dishes, had a sub-$10 sandwich that really surprised me. With a crispy cutlet as the main character, thick marinara sauce, melty provolone, fresh basil, and a smear of basil pesto brought this magnificent sandwich together. Roasted garlic aioli works as an additional, creamy binder. I would love to see chicken Parm sandwiches placed between burger buns at more restaurants, but the one from Starbird was terrific for the price. Another aspect of Starbird that I really appreciated was that the chain will donate a meal to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank if you post a photo of the meal to social media. That's the kind of sharing we can all get behind. Starbird currently has locations in Hermosa Beach, Beverly Grove, Marina Del Rey, and is coming soon to Torrance. 429 CA-1, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest French toast from Laya in Hollywood With a preference for savory and salty, my brunch practice includes ordering French toast for dessert to share with the table. The setup is already perfect, starting with cocktails and coffee, then moving on to the thoroughly satisfying omelets, bacon, and Béchamel. Dessert is rarely on my radar because the weekend daytime meal is incredibly filling, but Laya's kitchen sent out French toast for the table, which made the meal. Chef Charbel Hayek recently launched Sunday brunch, and much of the menu has Lebanese roots, particularly the first course, which features falafel, seared halloumi, crudite, olives with feta, and incredible labneh that his mother actually prepares in Laya's kitchen. Back to the French toast — the dish elevates custard to new heights with an impossibly soft yet firm consistency, featuring brioche, brown butter, fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and layers of salted caramel throughout. It's beyond rich and beautiful to look at. It pairs well with the cardamom-spiced Lebanese coffee poured tableside. The entire daytime experience on Laya's gorgeous patio makes for an enjoyable morning or afternoon with a crowd that's especially happy to be there. 1430 N. Cahuenga Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90028. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Sign up for our newsletter.
Telegraph
23-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Sambal halloumi morning buns
Here, the halloumi is marinated in sambal (a chilli paste – you can find great ones in Asian grocers) until it soaks up all of that flavour. The squeakiness of the cheese sings brilliantly with sambal, and the runny yolk of the fried egg melds with all the fiery flavours. Requires marinating time. Overview Prep time 12 mins Cook time 15 mins Serves 2 Ingredients 250g halloumi 2 tbsp sambal belacan (chilli paste with fermented shrimp paste), plus extra to serve ½ tsp lime juice vegetable oil, for frying 2 eggs To serve 2 sesame brioche buns Kewpie mayo 1 avocado, sliced Method Step Slice 250g halloumi into 1½cm-thick pieces, coat them in 2 tbsp sambal belacan and ½ tsp lime juice, and leave to marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Step Heat some vegetable oil in a frying pan set over a medium heat, then fry the halloumi slices in batches until golden on both sides – about 2 minutes on each side. Step Heat enough oil to cover the bottom of a separate frying pan set over a medium heat. Once the oil is very hot, crack 2 eggs into the pan. Fry until the skirts of the eggs are golden and crispy, then season the still-runny yolks. Step To serve, split and toast 2 sesame brioche buns. Smear one side of each bun with Kewpie mayo and the other side with a little extra sambal. Fill the buns with 1 sliced avocado, fried sambal halloumi and crispy fried eggs.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kewpie Starts Production of Condiments at Second U.S. Production Base, its Tennessee Plant
TOKYO, May 23, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kewpie Corporation ("Kewpie") (TOKYO:2809) has begun production in May 2025 of condiments at a new plant in Tennessee built to serve as the second production base in the United States for Q&B Foods, Inc., a Kewpie group company headquartered in California, U.S.A. The opening ceremony took place on Tuesday, May 20th this year. With the Tennessee plant in operation, in addition to reacting to expanding demand in the Americas, we aim to open up more markets and get greater brand penetration in the United States in particular, one of the world's largest markets for salad condiments *1. *1. The total market for mayonnaise and dressings At the Tennessee plant, in the Southeast part of the United States, we will produce mayonnaise and dressings for both household and commercial use, and supply them to the Midwest and East Coast parts of the country. With this dual production base system, we can reduce the time and costs required to ship products from our California plant, on the West Coast, and offer prompt supply of products for the East Coast areas. The new Tennessee plant allows us to expand our production capacity in the United States by up to three times, and will create further demand. In addition, the new plant will include the first visitor area for the Kewpie Group in the U.S. This will create a new point of contact with our customers, and help expand the number of Kewpie brand fans (opening date of the visitor area is to be determined). The opening ceremony that took place at the site on May 20th was attended by numerous related parties in government administration and people from partner corporations. Speeches were made by Tennessee governor Bill Lee and other VIPs. A speech was given by Kewpie Corporation's Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Corporate Officer, Mitsuru Takamiya: "Our plan is for this Tennessee facility to become the manufacturing base not just for the United States but for all of North and South America combined. This means we'll expand the scope of the plant and contribute to Tennessee's economy by continuing to create jobs for many years to come. Furthermore, the Kewpie Group has long been engaged in initiatives aimed at sharing the importance and joy of food based on the spirit of 'contributing to society through food.' In Tennessee as well, we plan to conduct food-related activities that will enable us to put down roots in the local community." A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, and the opening ceremony participants then viewed the new plant's production line from the visitor route while being told about the Kewpie Group's history and the ambitions behind its founding. Plant outline Plant name: Tennessee Plant Address: Clarksville, Montgomery County, Tennessee, U.S.A. Size of plant areas: Building area: approx. 15,000 m2 Total floor area: approx. 15,000 m2 Site area: approx. 80,000 m2 Main products manufactured: Mayonnaise and dressings for household and commercial use Maximum production capacity: Approx. 60,000 tonnes per year Corporate Outline Company name: Q&B FOODS, INC. Representative: CEO: Tsunemi Sato President: Jerry Shepherd Businesses: Production and sale of mayonnaise and dressings for household and commercial use, and contract manufacturing of mayonnaise, dressings and sauces Headquarters: Irwindale, California, U.S.A. Capital: 4.8 million U.S. dollars Investment ratio: KEWPIE AMERICAS, INC. 100%*2 Established: March 1982 *2. KEWPIE AMERICAS is a 100%-owned subsidiary of Kewpie Q&B FOODS's official websitehttps:// KEWPIE Products website About Kewpie CorporationFounded in 1919, Kewpie Corporation is a leading food manufacturer headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Known for its mayonnaise, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025 in Japan, Kewpie is committed to contributing to global food culture and health through "great taste, empathy, and uniqueness". Operating globally with production facilities and sales offices in major international markets, Kewpie is dedicated to enriching people's lives through food. For more information, visit Kewpie's official Disclaimer: This English version is a translation of the original in Japanese for your convenience. In case of a discrepancy, the Japanese original shall prevail. View source version on Contacts Public RelationsKewpie Corporationpr@ Sign in to access your portfolio
