Blade Up or Blade Down? The Definitive Guide to Hanging Knives on Magnetic Racks

Blade Up or Blade Down: A Quick Guide to Hanging Knives on Magnetic Racks

If you’ve recently installed a magnetic knife rack, you’ve probably encountered a surprisingly heated debate: Should you hang your knives with the blade pointing up or down? It’s one of those kitchen questions that seems simple but sparks passionate opinions. Food bloggers insist blade-down is safer. Professional chefs often prefer blade-up. And plenty of experienced […]

Avocado Smoked Salmon Salad with Dijon Honey Vinaigrette

Avocado Smoked Salmon Salad w/ Dijon Honey Vinaigrette

Ingredients: 8 cups mixed greens, 2 ripe avocados (1-inch cubes), 1 cucumber (halved, sliced), 6 oz smoked salmon (hot or cold smoked, sliced), 1/3 cup feta cheese, pomegranate seeds (optional) Dijon Honey Vinaigrette: 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh dill (minced), salt, pepper […]

muhammara (Roasted Red Pepper & Walnut Dip)

Muhammara (Roasted Red Pepper & Walnut Dip)

Ingredients: 2 red bell peppers, 4 tbsp olive oil (divided), 1/4 lb toasted walnuts, 2-3 garlic clove, 2½ tbsp tomato paste, 3/4 cup bread crumbs(optional), 100g pomegranate molasses, 1 tsp Aleppo pepper, 1/2 tsp sugar (optional), 1 tsp sumac, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cayenne (optional) Method: Roast: Brush peppers with 1 tbsp oil → […]

Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Salad

Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Salad

Ingredients: Rice noodles (vermicelli best), leftover roasted chicken (shredded), chicken drippings, rice wine vinegar, fish sauce, garlic, sambal oelek, sugar (brown preferred), carrots, red bell pepper, fresh herbs (basil, mint, cilantro), peanuts, sesame oil, green onions (optional), Fresno chiles Method: Noodles: Cook thick noodles 6 mins (or just soak vermicelli in hot water 15 mins) […]

forged vs stamped japanese knives

Kitchen Knives 101: buying, storage, cutting techniques and more

Whether you’re a complete beginner stepping into the kitchen for the first time or a seasoned home cook looking to upgrade your knife game, understanding kitchen knives can transform your entire cooking experience. A good knife isn’t just a tool—it’s an extension of your hand, a precision instrument that can make the difference between tedious […]

forged vs stamped japanese knives

Forged vs Stamped Knives: What’s The Difference?

When investing in quality kitchen knives, one of the most important decisions you’ll face is choosing between forged and stamped construction. This fundamental difference in manufacturing affects everything from performance and durability to price and maintenance requirements. At Oishya, where we’ve worked with master Japanese craftsmen for generations, we understand that informed knife selection begins […]

Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni with Lemon & Spicy Tomato Sauce

Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni with Lemon & Spicy Tomato Sauce

Ingredients: 20 cannelloni tubes, 400g ricotta, 300g spinach (frozen, drained), 50g Parmesan, 100g sharp cheddar, 300g fresh mozzarella, 1 egg, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 garlic cloves, 500g canned tomatoes, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes / fresh chilli, fresh basil, dried oregano, salt, pepper Note: Spice + creamy ricotta seems contradictory, […]

Frutti di Mare Spaghetti (Seafood Spaghetti) Recipe

Frutti di Mare Spaghetti (Seafood Spaghetti) Recipe

Frutti di Mare Spaghetti Ingredients: 3/4 lb spaghetti, 1 lb mixed clams & mussels (cleaned), 1 lb king prawns (peeled), 1/2 lb squid tentacles, 1/4 cup olive oil, 4 garlic cloves (grated), 1 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 cup dry white wine, 100-150ml arrabiata sauce, 1/3 cup fresh basil/parsley, 1 lemon, sea salt, pepper Method: […]

Tom Kha with Green Curry Base

Tom Kha with Green Curry Base

  Ingredients: Tom yum kha paste (Aroy-D), leftover green curry sauce, king prawns (deveined), white mushrooms (sliced), broccoli florets, 1/2 red onion (thinly sliced), 1/2 red bell pepper (sliced), 2 garlic cloves, 1 red chili (sliced), 2 scallions (chopped), coconut milk, lime juice, cilantro, coconut sugar Quick Note: Green curry sauce = creamy, sweet, herbaceous […]

Fresh Chimichurri Salsa Recipe

Fresh Chimichurri Salsa

Fresh Chimichurri Salsa Ingredients: 1 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped), 2 tsp dried oregano, 3 garlic cloves (minced), 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt Method: Chop: Finely chop parsley by hand (don’t use food processor) Mix: Combine parsley, oregano, minced […]

Prawn Avocado Mango Salad with Sumac Chili Dressing

Prawn Avocado Mango Salad with Sumac Chili Dressing

Ingredients: 500g cooked tiger prawns (deveined), 1 mango (2cm cubes), 1 avocado (2cm cubes), 2 limes, 1/3 cup coriander (chopped), 1 red chili (finely chopped) or chili flakes, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp avocado oil, butter lettuce or rocket, toasted pistachios, micro herbs Dressing: Sumac, lime juice, olive oil, honey, chili flakes, salt, pepper Method: […]

shipping-from-canada-to-us

Important Changes to US Shipping: What Our Customers Need to Know

Important Changes to US Shipping: What Our Customers Need to Know Starting August 29, 2025, shipping to the US is changing dramatically. After years of enjoying duty-free purchases under $800, all international packages now face customs duties and fees. However, there’s an important distinction: postal deliveries (like our Royal Mail to USPS service) have different […]

Pearl Couscous Salad with Grilled Salmon & Mint-Lime Dressing

Pearl Couscous Salad with Grilled Salmon & Mint-Lime Dressing

Ingredients: 200g pearl couscous, 100g radishes (sliced), 1 cucumber (deseeded, half-moons or rounds), 1 green apple (half moons or matchsticks), 200g grilled salmon (cooled, flaked, seasoned with pepper, salt and dry garlic), 150g buttermilk or greek yoghurt, 1 lime (zested + juiced), 10g chives (optional), 10g mint,1 tbsp Dijon mustard, extra fresh mint for garnish, […]

how to peel dragon fruit (pitaya)?

How to Peel Dragon Fruit (and Creative Ways to Enjoy It)

Dragon fruit — also known as pitaya — is one of nature’s most eye-catching fruits. With its vibrant pink skin and speckled flesh, it’s a showstopper both on the cutting board and on the plate. But if you’ve never handled one before, its spiky, cactus-like exterior might leave you wondering: how do I peel and […]

healthy granola recipe

The healthiest and tastiest Granola you’ll ever eat

Base Ingredients: 4 cups old-fashioned oats, 1½ cups mixed nuts/seeds, fine sea salt, flax seeds, ground cinnamon, fresh vanilla bean (scraped), orange zest, orange honey, coconut oil, olive oil Three Variations: Coconut flakes, dried fruit (I used apricot + cranberries), dark chocolate 74% Alternatives: No fresh vanilla? Use 2 tsp vanilla extract (but you’re missing […]

Moroccan Beef Stew with Red Lentils and Black Jasmin Rice

Moroccan Beef Stew with Red Lentils And Black Jasmin Rice

Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef, 1 large onion (diced), 3 garlic cloves (minced), 2 carrots (grated), ground coriander, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, salt, pepper, beef broth, canned diced tomatoes, dried red lentils, honey, raisins (but not on my watch), dried apricots, fresh coriander leaves Alternatives: No dried apricots? Fresh ones work but add them […]

The Tastiest Polish Sausage Sourdough Sandwich You'll Ever Make

The Tastiest Polish Sausage Sourdough Sandwich You’ll Ever Make

The “I-Can’t-Believe-It’s-Not-From-A-Deli” Sandwich Ingredients: Freshly baked sourdough (2 slices – because you’re still baking since the pandemic, right? RIGHT?), 1x tomato azul/rosa, lettuce (4-5 leaves), Polish Wiejska/Podwawelska sausage, Sarebska mustard, gherkins Alternatives: Can’t find Polish sausage? Try chorizo or andouille (but honestly, you’re missing out). No Sarebska? Dijon works but won’t deliver that same sharp, […]

Spicy Gochugaru Cucumber Salad

Spicy Gochugaru Cucumber Salad

Ingredients: 4 Lebanese/Chinese cucumbers, salt (optional), low-sodium soy sauce, sugar (optional), minced garlic, green onions, gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes paste), sesame oil, rice vinegar, toasted sesame seedsAlternatives: No gochugaru? Regular red pepper flakes work but lack that smoky sweetness (seriously, get some gochugaru – your taste buds will thank you). Rice vinegar can swap […]

kiritsuke gyuto santoku bunka

Kiritsuke vs Bunka: Which Of Those Japanese Knives Is Right For You?

When a knife becomes part of your daily cooking ritual, it does more than cut food — it shapes how you cook, how you feel at the counter, and the memories that meal prep makes possible. At Oishya, we believe kitchen tools should be crafted to last and used to spark joy. That’s why knowing […]

the claw cutting technique kitchen tips

How to cut onion and not your fingers: the “claw” technique

The one professional technique that transforms nervous cooks into confident chefs – learn the safety secret that keeps your fingers protected while creating perfect onion cuts every time. If there’s one vegetable that strikes fear into novice cooks, it’s the onion. Despite being essential to countless recipes, onions have earned a reputation as finger-threatening adversaries. […]

knife grip 4 styles

4 Ways To Hold A Kitchen Knife Safely

As home cooks, we didn’t know until we started Oishya and we had to look it up. (But isn’t that how most of the world’s knowledge goes?) If you’re like us, you learned a “sorta way” to hold a knife when cutting an apple as a kid—probably wrapping your whole fist around the handle like […]

cooking vs baking what style are you

Baking vs. Cooking: What Your Kitchen Style Says About You

An old-time viral meme perfectly captures what home cooks have always known—there are two types of people in the kitchen: You’ve probably seen the meme that broke the internet: “Baking: precise measurements, by the book, scientific. Cooking: yeehaw, eyeball everything, no gods no kings no recipes.” While it made thousands of home cooks laugh in […]

Warm_family_kitchen_scene_showing_child-safe

Keeping Sharp Kitchen Knives Safe with Little Ones at Home

How to maintain your Japanese knife collection whilst creating a child-safe kitchen that works for the whole family Right, let’s talk about something that keeps many passionate home cooks awake at night—how to safely store your beautiful Japanese knives when you’ve got curious little fingers wandering about the kitchen. It’s a genuine concern, isn’t it? […]

seki kyuba niji nakiri cutting pumpkin

Japanese Knives and Food Safety: Professional Standards at Home

How to handle your Japanese knives like a pro whilst keeping your fingers intact and your food absolutely pristine Right, let’s have a proper chat about Japanese knives and food safety, shall we? If you’ve recently invested in one of these beauties—or you’re thinking about it—you’ll want to know how to use them safely whilst […]

beautiful_wedding_couple_on_their_wedding_day

10 Timeless Wedding Gifts for Japan Enthusiasts: Where Tradition Meets Modern Love

When two souls unite in marriage, they embark on a journey of creating new traditions while honoring the beauty of timeless customs. For couples who share a deep appreciation for Japanese culture, selecting wedding gifts that reflect this passion becomes an opportunity to celebrate both their love story and their connection to Japan’s rich heritage […]

toxic products in your kitchen

5 Most Toxic Products to Remove from Your Kitchen Immediately

Your kitchen should be a sanctuary for nourishment and wellness, yet many common household items may be silently compromising your health. As we become more conscious about what we put into our bodies, it’s equally important to examine what surrounds our food preparation and storage. Modern kitchens are filled with convenient products that promise to […]

this is petty japanese kitchen knives oishya seki kyuba

Which Japanese Knife for Which Technique: Showcasing Each at Its Best

The beauty of Japanese knives lies not just in their craftsmanship, but in how each blade shape has been perfected for specific cutting techniques. Understanding the intended purpose of each knife allows you to elevate your cooking with efficiency, precision, and even artistry. Let’s explore how to showcase each knife type at its best. Gyuto […]

how to cut an onion and not cry

How to Chop an Onion Without Crying: A Step-by-Step Guide

Chopping an onion is a fundamental kitchen skill that every home cook should master. While onions might bring tears to your eyes, with the right technique, you can chop them quickly, safely, and efficiently. Here’s a comprehensive guide to chopping an onion like a pro. What You’ll Need A sharp chef’s knife or santoku knife […]

kiritsuke gyuto santoku bunka

What’s the Difference Between Gyuto, Santoku, Bunka and Kiritsuke?

For anyone venturing into the world of Japanese kitchen knives, the variety of styles can be overwhelming. Among the most popular options are the Gyuto, Santoku, Bunka, and Kiritsuke – each with distinctive shapes, purposes, and histories. Understanding the differences between these knives will not only help you make a more informed purchase but also […]