sakai kyuba santoku knife

What Is Santoku Knife Used For?

As a Japanese knife store run by foodies who love to cook and value quality, everlasting products, we understand the importance of having the right tools in the kitchen. And we need to tell you that one of our must haves and the most versatile knives in any kitchen is the Santoku knife. Originating in […]

green tea matcha ice cream cheesecake all green tea ocha-3

All You Need To Know About Japanese Green Tea

Konnichiwa, tea lovers! As a team of all-Japanese enthusiasts, whether it’s knives or food and beverages, we have a soft spot for the many wonderful varieties of Japanese green tea. From delicate and floral to bold and robust, there is a green tea out there for everyone. In this article, we’ll be sharing all you […]

sakai kyuba kitchen knives japanese homeware kitchenware-760

Why Dull Knives Are More Dangerous Than Sharp Ones

As fellow foodies and founders of Oishya, a Japanese knife shop, we know that a sharp knife is essential for any kitchen. But did you know that a dull knife can actually be more dangerous than a sharp one? Many people assume that a dull knife is safer because it’s less likely to cut you. […]

medicinal mushrooms growing japanese knife nakiri

Should You Grow Medicinal Mushrooms At Home?

Are you tired of buying mushrooms from the grocery store that just don’t have the same freshness as when they’re picked straight from the earth? Why not consider growing your own medicinal mushrooms at home?

Japanese shrines and buddhist temples etiquette

A Quick Beginner’s Guide To Japanese Shrines And Temples

No matter where you go in Japan, no matter if it’s the most remote village in the mountains or the most buzzing large city, be sure to find a temple or a shrine somewhere very close by. Japanese temples and shrines, a symbol of the country’s rich and cherished heritage, are as sacrosanct now as […]

Why Nakiri Is A Perfect Knife For Vegetarians

A nakiri knife is a type of Japanese kitchen knife that is specifically designed for cutting vegetables. It is a versatile and essential tool in the kitchen for any home cook or professional chef. The nakiri knife has a rectangular blade, typically between 6 to 7 inches in length, which is sharpened on both sides. […]

how to clean brass utensils chopsticks

How To Clean Brass Utensils – The Easy Way

How to make your brass utensils look better than when you bought them? That’s easy. Make a magic paste and remove de-colorisation in a couple of minutes. Ingredients: Mix together 1/2 cup of vinegar, 2-3 tbs of flour, 1-2 tbs of bicarbonate soda, 1-2 tbs of salt and stir well. Pour the paste onto your […]

sashimi umami flavour japanese food

What Is Umami Flavour?

Ever wonder what makes Japanese food taste so good? It absolutely has a very distinct flavour, but how would you describe it? A hundred years ago, the distinct flavour of Japanese food lead to the discovery of a brand new flavor: umami. You probably use a few distinct words—sour, bitter, salty, and sweet—in combination when […]

kitchen linen - why linen is one of the best materials for your cooking experience

Why Linen Is One Of The Best Materials For Your Kitchen

With endless ready-made and take-away options, cooking at home has become more of a pleasure and a mindful way to spend time with your loved ones, rather than a necessary house chore. And while you’re enjoying yourself in the kitchen creating, from time to time you may end up with a serious mess and many […]

daruma japanese dolls how to use it as talisman wish

What Is Daruma Doll And How To Use It?

The true story behind the insanely scary yet cute souvenir Many of you have seen Daruma, these scary yet cute traditional Japanese dolls, which in Japan has become a symbol of perseverance and luck. But outside Japan, not many people know of its history, or what hides behind its goofy look and how it can […]

can pregnant women eat sushi

Can Pregnant Women Eat Sushi?

Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish that consists of cooked vinegared rice served with raw or cooked seafood, vegetables, and sometimes egg or meat (like duck). It is often served with soy sauce and wasabi, for dipping. Sushi is typically rolled into bite-sized pieces using seaweed sheets (called nori) and is often served with pickled […]

how to shop online safely the guide

A Quick Guide To Safe Online Shopping

Online shopping is the most convenient way to shop around, find the best prices, read customer reviews before making a decision and once you do make it, you can have your order delivered right to your doorstep without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home. Many online retailers also offer free shipping […]

how to joint a chicken, the gordon ramsay style

How To Carve A Chicken, The Gordon Ramsay’s Style

We don’t know about you but we’re in love with Gordon Ramsay’s cooking and prepping style. That’s why we decided to make a video following his advice on how to joint a chicken with the most important tip being, let the good, sharp knife do the work. Spread the chicken’s legs and pierce the skin […]

sakura cherry blossom

10 Japanese Concepts To Be Inspired And Live By

There are many things that people can learn from Japanese culture and philosophy that can help them live a happier and more fulfilling life. Japanese people are conscious about focusing on the present moment, finding a sense of purpose, cultivating gratitude or practicing self-care. In today’s article we’ll introduce you to 10 beautiful Japanese concepts […]

fish tacos with prawns and salmon

Fish Tacos Recipe

These fish tacos are loaded with fresh ingredients and perfectly seasoned seafood and fish. Use corn tortillas for tacos, not flour ones (if you don’t want to be called gringo! 🙂 Don’t skip the best fish taco sauce – a sour, spicy lime salsa that you will want it on all your tacos. Fish Taco […]

Muhammara recipe

Muhammara w/ Pomegranate And Walnuts

Muhmmara is a delicious walnut and roasted red pepper dip or spread that’s all sorts of savoury, sweet, slightly smoky with a little tanginess. It’s full of vitamins and nutrients and once you try it, you’ll keep making it and will never get bored of it. The word muhammara is from the Arabic word ahmar, which literally means […]

japanese whisky

The Japanese Whisky History: From Reluctance Until Its Glory

Do you know the origins of The Japanese whisky? And did you know that the Japanese did not immediately embrace this barrel-aged grain spirit? Over the years, however, its prominence steadily increased, giving today’s Japan the forth place, just outside the podium of the largest producers of whisky in the world. The history of Japanese […]

chicken butter oishya cooks

Butter Chicken

Butter chicken originated from Northern India in 1948. Prepared in a buttery gravy with the addition of cream gives the sauce a silky smooth rich texture. My version is not so butter heavy, but it’s still yummy. Why butter chicken is one of the best ideas for your Halloween dinner party? Well, it tastes great […]

Cooking together

Top 3 Reasons Why Couples Who Cook Together Create Stronger Relationships

Cooking and relationships: though they may seem like two loosely related areas in life, the truth is they go hand-in-hand. How, you ask? Cooking is an activity, just like any hobby, that allows a couple to connect on a more intimate level, to be creative, have fun and strengthen their relationship. For those who love […]

sakai kyuba kitchen knives japanese homeware kitchenware-760

Top 3 Ways To Store Your Kitchen Knives

The kitchen is filled with appliances and utensils that can be dangerous to have around children. Kitchen knives are one of the main ones. Therefore, finding the best way to store kitchen knives around children is crucial. Proper knife storage is essential to avoid accidents in the kitchen and care for your knives. Overall, there […]

Chef olivia burt with sakai kyuba knife set in brown and knife stand

How To Look After Japanese Knives With Chef Olivia Burt

As sellers of quality Japanese knives we often get asked how to look after Japanese knives by our customers. We have written various articles on the subject, which you can find in the “Equipment care” section of our Journal. Yet, this time around we asked Chef Olivia Burt to share some tips as to how […]

sakai kyuba fresh ingredients japanese kitchen knives

Top 5 Reasons To Eat By The Seasons

Nowadays, it’s so easy to transport food long distances that we take it for granted that we can eat fresh strawberries in December or have avocado toast every day. Yet many of us have no clue when fruits and veggies are actually in season where we live.  And there are many reason why you should […]

Roasted cod with pea, edamame and asparagus risotto

Roasted Cod With Pea, Edamame And Asparagus Risotto

 You’ll need: Cod loin 4 portions of fresh cod loin, skin-on 2 tbsp of olive oil 20g of unsalted butter kosher salt freshly ground black pepper Garlic powder Pea, edamame and asparagus risotto 1l vegetable stock, cubes or fresh 3 garlic clove, peeled and crushed 25g of unsalted butter 150g of asparagus spears, fine 10g edamame 250g […]

wooden spoons utensils top 5 reasons

Top 5 Reasons Why Should You Cook With Wooden Spoon

Many of the chefs we work with told us that one of the most favourite kitchen tools they own are… wooden spoons! Since we started the journey of design to introduction of our own, handcrafted wooden utensils in our store, we understood why there is so much love for them. Wooden spoons are works of […]

japana home oishya becoming

Japana Home Is Rebranding As Oishya

You may remember us under different name “Oishya” or “Oishya Home”, and you may be wondering why, after 5 years of trading we’ve decided to change our name to Oishya. You may also be wondering what does it mean.It wasn’t an easy decision but we felt that name Oishya no longer represents our mission and […]

chef olivia burt with sakai kyuba knives and western knives

Western Vs. Japanese Knives With Chef Olivia Burt

If you are looking to purchase a new kitchen knife you have probably encountered two important knife types: Western and Japanese kitchen knives. In today’s article, we asked professional Chef Olivia Burt  to talk to us about Western vs Japanese knives and her preferences.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfhWOp66kbA In Chef Olivia’s words: What I love about Japanese knives […]

Chef Fulvio Pischedda with Gyuto green

Techniques De Coupe Avec Chef Fulvio Pischedda

Dans cette article on va voir les principales techniques de coupe et types de coupes. On a demande au Chef Fulvio Pischedda de parler de 4 techniques de coupe différentes qui sont essentielles dans la cuisine. Ces coupes sont: Julienne Brunoise Julienne fine Brunoise fine  Dans le video, Chef Fulvio nous explique les techniques de […]

Chef Fulvio Pischedda with Gyuto green

Knife Techniques With Chef Fulvio Pischedda

For this knife techniques article, we collaborated with Paris based Chef Fulvio Pischedda. You will find the full video at then end of this article in which Chef Fulvio covers important knife techniques such as how to hold a knife as well as some essential knife cuts every chef or home cook should know. How […]

Chef Olivia Burt with Sakai Kyuba knife set in natural brown

The Claw Grip With Chef Olivia Burt

The claw grip technique is one of the most important cutting skills to learn in the kitchen. It is very simple to learn and extremely helpful to improve your cutting skills and ensure you are safe in the kitchen. It is a fundamental aspect for being safe around knives. It goes without saying that you […]

Chef Olivia Burt holding Sakai Kyuba Santoku knife in natural brown

How To Hold A Knife – By Chef Olivia Burt

The first and most important knife skill you need to learn is how to hold your knife properly. Holding the knife properly will give you more control over the knife which makes it easier to cut and slice food. This strong grip is what allows chefs to chop with great speed as they know the […]