Shaoyin Phung Glutinous Rice Balls
Little Saigon has so many treasures to reveal. Often, it’s just a matter of timing and proximity. On my most recent visit to the Vietnamese culinary Mecca, I met Shaoyin Phung, who sets up...
Two Ladies Kitchen: Traditional Japanese Confections in Hilo
It’s always good to have two things on your side when traveling: luck and timing. On Hawaii’s Big Island, a beloved mochi confectionary with a small pink counter called Two Ladies Kitchen isn’t typically...
Volcano Village Farmers’ Market: Building on Big Island Magma
My first morning in Hawaii involved a drive down the east coast of the Big Island along Highway 11 to visit the Volcano Village Farmers’ Market. It was worth an early wake up call...
Sakura-Ya: Munching on Mochi in the South Bay
Mas Fujita and brother Yuki arrive every day at 4 AM to make mochi and manju from old family recipes. During the holidays, they begin as early as 2 AM. They learned their craft...
Osaka Ya – Sacramento, CA
Osaka Ya, a nondescript bakery in a small Japanese enclave in Sacramento, holds a delicious surprise. In a glass case at the center of the store are row upon row of fresh-baked mochi (rice...
