Bento fever has recently swept across the West, fuelled not just by an interest in cute, decorative food, but by the desire for an economical, healthy approach to eating in these times of recession. A leading light in the popularization of bento has been Makiko Itoh, whose blog, Just Bento, has nearly 160,000 subscribers in the U.S. alone, all of whom love her delicious recipes and practical bento-making tips. Now, for the first time, Itoh's expertise...

"In this sushi making book, Japanese cooking expert Yumi Umemura offers 85 easy recipes combining sushi rice--the key to delicious sushi--with ingredients ranging from time-honored favorites to non-traditional ingredients--such as Thai fish sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, French ratatouille, cooked meats like roast beef or chicken and smoked salmon. Many recipes reflect sushi's worldwide popularity--incorporating the diverse tastes. Whether making the...

"Finally, a sushi book that actually works! Sushi may seem mysterious and exotic but making great sushi at home is something anyone can do with a little guidance from an expert. In 2003, Marisa Baggett boarded a Greyhound bus with a one-way ticket to LosAngeles and $300 in her pocket to study at the California Sushi Academy. After her studies were completed she moved to Memphis, Tennessee bringing with her a passion and knowledge of both traditional...

The 85-year-old Jiro Ono is considered by many to be the world's greatest sushi chef. He is the proprietor of a 10-seat sushi-only restaurant inauspiciously located in a Tokyo subway station. Despite its humble appearances, it is the first restaurant of its kind to be awarded a prestigious 3-star Michelin review, and sushi lovers from around the globe make repeated pilgrimages, calling months in advance and shelling out top dollar for a coveted seat...

"This comprehensive do-it-yourself home fermentation guide centres on the amazing superfoods at the heart of the healthy Japanese diet. Author and fermentation expert Hiroko Shirasaki starts with easy preparations for shio koji, amazake, nukazuke and three types of miso. Then she shows you how to harness the probiotic power of these and other fermented ingredients in scores of delicious home-style recipes. Some of these fermented foods you may already...

"Food writer Kaori Becker's easy-to-follow techniques for creating and cooking with mochi deliver the perfect mix of fun and tradition"-- Becker shows how to turn rice, sugar, and water into mochi-- the chewy Japanese rice-dough treat-- right in your own kitchen! She shares recipes for filled and unfilled mochi, as well as ideas for trying mochi dough in baked goods, like donuts or savory bites. Traditional or new, there is a recipe here for everyone!...

"Embark on a foodie's journey through the world of anime--and learn to recreate delicious dishes from your favorite series--with this practical guide to anime food. Japanese animation has beautiful designs, fleshed out characters, and engaging storylines--and it's also overflowing with so many scrumptiously rendered meals! Do you ever watch your favorite anime series and start craving the crunch of crispy seafood or the warmth of delicious noodles...

"Susannah Mikami dreams of becoming a famous sushi chef like her dad. And this summer, she plans to learn everything about his traditional kitchen. Only he refuses to teach her, and won't tell her why. Is it because he doesn't want her to embarrass him in front of the documentary crew filming at his restaurant? Or worse, because she's a girl? Either way, Sana decides he's not the only one who can keep secrets. So when she meets Koji, a cute boy who...

"Discover comforting homestyle Japanese American cuisine with 100 unique, simple, and tasty recipes from the owners of the innovative Brooklyn restaurant Shalom Japan"--

Food plays an important role in anime, whether it is briefly shown in a slice-of-life scene or the entire plotline of an episode or even a series, and popular anime food creator Nadine Estero has perfectly captured these favorite food moments. In The Anime Chef Cookbook, she brings 75 appetizers, mains, desserts, and drinks from the screen to your table so that you can enjoy the same foods as your favorite characters.