No Recipes

The Art of Letting Food Rot (On Purpose) The most important flavors in Japanese cooking come from time, microbes, and the willingness to let things fall apart.

We're taught to fear rot, but some of the tastiest foods on Earth exist because someone left something sit for a little too long. This week, I'm jumping into the funky fermented foods at the heart of Japanese cuisine.

open.substack.com/pub/marcmats...

Japan's Sandwich Obsession Most places treat the sandwich as a solved problem, but Japan is just getting started.

Most places treat the sandwich as a solved problem, but Japan is just getting started. This week I’ve written about why Japan is obsessed with sandwiches. What's the most unconventional sandwich you love?
open.substack.com/pub/marcmats...

Miso Is Not a Soup That tub of miso you bought last year? It's been waiting for you to realize it can do a lot more than soup.

That tub of miso in your fridge isn't just for soup. It's great in bolognese, even better in beef stew, and don't get me started on what it does to chocolate chip cookies. open.substack.com/pub/marcmats...

Donburi: The Original Fast Food Long before drive-throughs existed, Japan solved the working lunch with the rice bowl.

This week I'm talking about fast food that's been around for centuries in Japan (hint: it doesn't involve patties or cheese) open.substack.com/pub/marcmats...

Japanese meals make "less" feel like plenty, so moderation becomes natural instead of a punishing act of willpower. Here's how to design your meals to feel plentiful:
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Why Simple Japanese Meals Taste Complete The answer isn’t more protein, more effort, or bigger portions.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing a weekly article on the structures and ingredients that make Japanese meals feel so satisfying. This week, in Part 3, I’m diving into the taste that makes small portions feel satisfying. open.substack.com/pub/marcmats...

A Japanese New Year Table Full of Wishes Once a year, a table full of symbolic foods made my distant birthplace feel close enough to taste.

In Japan, Oshōgatsu (New Year’s) is a weeklong celebration steeped in symbolism & ritual. The dishes encode hopes for the year: health, prosperity, longevity, fertility, wisdom. This week, I’m sharing what they mean, and easy ways to start your own traditions. open.substack.com/pub/marcmats...

Ozoni Recipe: Tokyo-Style Japanese New Year Soup My family's Tokyo-style ozoni recipe with clear dashi broth, toasted mochi, and tender chicken. The perfect way to start the new year.

In Japan, December 25th marks a shift from 🎄 to New Year's mode. I'm sharing the Tokyo-style ozoni from my childhood: clear dashi broth, toasted mochi, and a little good fortune in every bowl. Whatever you're celebrating, wishing you peace, joy, & warmth. marcsrecipes.com/ozoni-recipe/

“Sushi Grade” is a Myth Raw fish is never zero-risk. But you can stack the odds in your favor. Here’s how I choose fish for sushi.

If you’re planning on serving anything with raw fish this year for the holidays, read this first. I go through the risks involved and how you can minimize them so you can enjoy it without spending the meal wondering if you’ll regret it later.

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Thanksgiving in Japan A Japanese inspired spread from my American kitchen in Tokyo.

I snuck some Japanese ingredients into my Thanksgiving this year😅
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I've pulled together the tools and ingredients that quietly transformed my kitchen this year into a gift guide for the curious cook. If you’re wondering why these made the list, there’s a story behind every pick. open.substack.com/pub/marcmats...

How Japan turned texture into a superpower And what the confectionery world can learn: With Marc Matsumoto

Great piece on how Japan’s 400+ texture words fuel nonstop confectionery innovation, letting brands spin micro-variants in gummies, chips, chocolate & more. Honored to be interviewed. If you’re in F&B, give it a read: marketshake.gourmetpro.co/p/how-japan-...

My Thanksgiving Table Two very different cooks shaped the way I approach Thanksgiving.

Two very different cooks shaped my approach to cooking. One improvised everything. The other measured everything. This week, I'm sharing some of those memories along with 9 Thanksgiving-ready recipes that color outside the lines. marcmatsumoto.substack.com/p/my-thanksg...

Why Tofu Deserves Better In Japan, it’s celebrated for what it is rather than what it replaces.

Japan spent over 1000 years perfecting tofu and it's a celebrated protein that stands shoulder to shoulder with meat and seafood. I've shared some of the techniques to take it from pale block of regret to mouth watering flavor-bomb this week:

marcmatsumoto.substack.com/p/why-tofu-d...

Comfort Food Knows No Borders As the days grow shorter and the air turns brisk, kitchens around the world speak the same language.

Sharing some personal memories this week about comfort foods I’ve stumbled upon during my travels. If there’s one thing that spending time in kitchens around the world has taught me, it’s that we’re more alike than we are different.
marcmatsumoto.substack.com/p/comfort-fo...

The Pasta Italy Never Imagined Inside Japan's parallel noodleverse

If you've ever wondered what the deal is with Japanese-style pasta. I wrote a full rundown of its history and along with recipes over on Substack this week.

open.substack.com/pub/marcmats...

Marinated Salmon Sashimi Donburi This easy salmon zuke donburi uses soy sauce and mirin to transform raw salmon into a rich, umami-packed rice bowl.

This salmon rice bowl may look sushi-bar fancy, but it’s weeknight simple. A quick soy-mirin marinade transforms raw salmon into a silky, savory topping for hot rice. We’ve been making it on repeat all summer. norecipes.com/salmon-sashi...

6 Quick Summer Veggie Recipes Celebrate summer’s harvest with six quick, produce-packed favorites.

I know I'm late to the party, but I'm finally on Substack! I'll be sending fresh recipe inspiration every Sunday, starting this week with some of my favorite ways to enjoy summer veggies. marcmatsumoto.substack.com/p/6-quick-su...

How To Make Inari Sushi (Tofu Pocket Sushi) YouTube video by No Recipes

Did you know the tofu in inari sushi is named for a rice god… and loved by foxes? 🦊 It’s sweet, savory, and packed with flavor—and I’m showing you how to make it at home. youtu.be/fYj4TafnSuk

Savory chicken, smoky dashi, shiitake, and two kinds of soy sauce—this shoyu ramen is bold, balanced, and ready in just 20 minutes. 🍜 #shoyuramen #ramenathome youtu.be/dXrMCkqWCkM

Japanese Breakfast Bento Box with Recipes Make a traditional Japanese breakfast bento box at home with these recipes—balanced, beautiful, and packed with simple bento breakfast ideas.

Ever wonder how Japanese breafasts are composed? norecipes.com/breakfast-be... #breakfast #japanesefood #recipes

With ruby red strawberries tucked into clouds of whipped cream, sandwiched between slices of fluffy milk bread, Ichigo Sando is an easy (and addictive) snack found in cafés and convenience stores around Japan. youtu.be/Gevh9jT_yS0 #sandwich #japanesesandwich

Butter Rice might sound like dorm-room cooking, but in Japan, it's an addictive staple. Learn how to turn 3 simple ingredients into a creamy, savory, buttery bowl of comfort in less than a minute. youtu.be/BFr6IulKPnM

This week, I’m sharing a braised pork belly recipe that transforms a simple cut of meat into melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Slow-braised in dashi, soy, and sake, it’s even better overnight—perfect for rice, ramen, or fried rice! #recipe #porkbelly #kakuni youtu.be/h9s_5rYG44E

Juicy Chicken Breast with Honey Teriyaki Sauce YouTube video by No Recipes

Say goodbye to dry chicken breasts. With the right technique, you can get juicy, flavorful results every time. Plus, a glossy 3-ingredient honey teriyaki sauce takes it to the next level. Watch the premiere at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET to learn the secrets! youtu.be/v4WuHITxdzU #Teriyaki #recipe

🍜 Miso ramen is what helped thaw the winter chill when I lived in Sapporo and I’ve developed a technique to make a ramen shop level bowl in under 30 minutes. Catch the premiere at 7am PT / 10am ET youtu.be/bNT7mnMKYjI #ramen #MisoRamen

Japanese cuisine is all about drawing out and enhancing the flavors and textures of fresh seasonal ingredients, and Spinach Ohitashi embodies this spirit. This week, I'm sharing my mom's recipe for this simple classic. 

VIDEO: youtu.be/h2_SQcVZUko
RECIPE: norecipes.com/spinach-ohit...

A5 Gyudon Recipe (Japanese Beef Bowl) YouTube video by No Recipes

I made Gyudon (beef bowl) using A5 wagyu and some chef's tricks in 15 minutes, and I'm pretty sure it's my favorite beef dish... EVER! Join me for the premiere at 7am PT / 10am ET. youtu.be/5P-OKaBzADI

Spam Onigiri Sandwich (Japanese Musubi) YouTube video by No Recipes

Whether you're into SPAM or not, this Japanese rice sandwich is the perfect form factor to turn your favorite protein into a quick portable meal. Join me at 7am PT/10am ET as I share my recipe for the ultimate Spam Onigiri—crispy, savory, comfort food to go. youtu.be/x0w1ysbRw-g