Hello,
I am Japanese and now live in the United States in the Midwest with my husband. I grew up near Osaka, Japan. Since moving to the U.S. I have been surprised by how different Japanese food is here from the traditional and homemade Japanese food I grew up with, so I decided to start this site to help people learn about the nutritional value of traditional Japanese food, and more importantly, how to make traditional Japanese food using familiar ingredients from many local grocery stores. I learned the recipes on this website from my mother, so this site is devoted to real Japanese home cooking! I am the author of Japanese cookbooks for foreigners; Bento for Beginners (Easy, tasty and healthy cookbook) and Sushi Cookbook for Beginners.
I have a degree in analytical chemistry and wrote my senior thesis on The Effects of Lithium on the Human Body and Mental Health. From there, I began working for a Japanese cosmetics company, VECUA. I worked for VECUA for ten years before moving to the U.S. I started out at VECUA as a makeup artist and also giving customers at VECUA shops facial massage. After just one year I was promoted to shop manager. The shop quickly became the number #1 new shop in sales, and after another two years I was promoted to Area Manager, which made me responsible for overseeing five shops throughout the Kansai region. In this role I was able to learn a lot about business management and also about the benefits of Japanese approaches to healthy living.
As an executive at VECUA, I was able to get special training every month on things such as nutrition, skin biology, the effect of cosmetic ingredients on skin, and human biology. Now I plan to introduce natural Japanese cosmetics in the United States. I also want to teach people who want to learn about Japanese nutrition and cooking how to make traditional Japanese dishes that are healthy and delicious. Welcome to my site!
Chika
December 8, 2014 at 2:04 am
Wow, you have a very impressive background. I like tat these recipes are from your mother.
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December 8, 2014 at 2:21 am
Thank you so much! I am going to post healthy, simple and delicious recipes from now on.
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December 9, 2014 at 12:30 am
What a lovely website. It’s so nice to carry on family recipes and tradition.
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December 9, 2014 at 2:34 am
Thank you so much!! I hope you can enjoy my recipes:-)
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April 19, 2015 at 2:24 am
Congratulations! I have nominated you for a Liebster Award because I think your blog is great!
My 10 questions for you:
The 10 questions I have for the 10 nominated bloggers to answer, are:
What is your favourite pastime?
If you were free as a bird and money was no object, what would you be doing right now?
What thing/s make you the most happy?
What is your favourite genre of film?
What is/are your favourite food/s and drink/s?
Have you travelled? If so, what was your favourite country?
What makes you feel most proud?
If you were to be an animal, which animal would you be and why?
Can you remember your childhood? If so, what is your favourite childhood memory?
If you were to look into your future, what type of Grandma or Grandpa would you be? i.e. Young at heart, daredevil, laid back, etc
My Rules for the ten nominated blogs:
* Nominate 10 blogs and tell them that they have been nominated
* Each nominee must have under 200 followers
* Thank the person who nominated you and link to the nominating blog
* Answer my 10 questions and propose 10 new ones for your nominees
* Write a post containing my questions for you
* Include these rules in your post
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April 19, 2015 at 9:34 pm
Thank you for your nominating!!
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August 15, 2015 at 5:00 am
I like this blog. Very cultural, creative, and rich in fusion ideas!
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August 19, 2015 at 7:46 pm
I am so glad you like my blog!! Thank you 🙂
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September 2, 2015 at 7:09 am
Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog and help me find your cool site 🙂 I am not so familiar with Japanese Cuisine and now I can follow you ( not in a creepy way) to learn something. You are so right about the food being different in foreign countries from its traditional form.
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September 2, 2015 at 12:29 pm
Thank you! I am so happy you like my blog!!
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October 16, 2015 at 5:42 pm
Delighted to find your lovely blog! Thank you so much for coming to visit Life Bellissima as well! I look forward to learning more about Japanese cuisine — it looks delicious!
~ Anna
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October 16, 2015 at 6:25 pm
Thank you for the lovely comment!! I found your post by accident and I really like it!!
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November 17, 2015 at 6:07 am
I love your blog! and I love Japanese food!! can’t wait to try out all your healthy menu!! 😀
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November 17, 2015 at 7:52 pm
Thank you!! I hope you will like my (my mother’s) dishes 🙂
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November 25, 2015 at 7:59 pm
I really like your blog and that’s why I have nominated you for the Liebster Award:)
http://thishappymommy.com/2015/11/25/the-liebster-award/
xx, Jessica
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December 2, 2015 at 8:43 pm
Thank you! 🙂
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March 16, 2016 at 2:45 pm
What an interesting background!
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March 23, 2016 at 6:44 pm
Thank you!! Nadia 🙂
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July 17, 2016 at 12:18 am
Thanks for stopping by my kitchen! Say, I am crazy about Japanese food. I am sure to learn something here.
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July 17, 2016 at 7:22 pm
Thank you for the comment! I hope you enjoy my recipe 🙂
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July 18, 2016 at 4:07 pm
I will try them. you make the recipes look easy.
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July 27, 2016 at 3:36 pm
Hello Beautiful! I have nominated you for the awesome Make it Ultra award!
An award given to bloggers by bloggers for quality content, originality and presentation. If you are interested in accepting please follow the criteria set in my post, on the link below. Much love!
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July 27, 2016 at 3:42 pm
Hello Beautiful! I have nominated you for the awesome Make it Ultra award!
An award given to bloggers by bloggers for quality content, originality and presentation. If you are interested in accepting please follow the criteria set in my post, on the link below. Much love!
https://thehappiestpixel.wordpress.com/2016/07/27/make-it-ultra-blogger-award/
Sorry, I forgot the link the first time 😉
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July 27, 2016 at 5:55 pm
Thanks so much for nominating me for the award, I am very flattered! I have been nominated for a couple of awards but decided not to accept it.
But I am delighted that you nominated me 🙂 Thank you and do visit again soon!
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August 23, 2016 at 7:05 pm
Nice to meet you! Thanks for following my blog that lead me to,your cool blog with Japanese healthy recipes! I need to try them all out because I know nothing about Japanese cuisine! I live in Belgium!
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August 23, 2016 at 8:36 pm
So nice to meet you too! I found your blog because I am always looking for new recipes 🙂 I totally want to try your dishes!
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August 24, 2016 at 6:54 am
yay!!! That makes 2 of us! 🙂
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August 24, 2016 at 2:18 pm
😉
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August 29, 2016 at 3:08 am
I am very excited you stopped by and I can’t wait to explore your blog! A lot of dishes from various parts of the world are changed up here – and sometimes they’re great that way and other times they’re just awful versions of the real thing – full of sugars and cheese!! Thanks for stopping by to see me! I also, every Thursday, have a “link party” put on by myself and 4 other bloggy friends. We’d love to have you join us and add links to your blog, new or old!🙂 We pick our favorites every week and feature them & it’s a fun way to meet new and different bloggers!
Mollie
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August 29, 2016 at 1:34 pm
What a nice comment! Thank you 🙂 I totally agree with you. I just want to give people, who are struggling with being healthy, some tips. Great food makes great life!!
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September 4, 2016 at 7:23 pm
You have a lovely blog. I have never cooked a Japanese meal but I am eager to try!
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September 4, 2016 at 8:53 pm
Thanks for your comment 🙂 I hope you will like homemade Japanese food which tastes slightly different from many Japanese restaurant in the world.
I found your blog, that have beautiful pictures, by accident. Very lucky!! 🙂
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September 4, 2016 at 10:23 pm
Thank you as well.
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September 18, 2016 at 3:38 am
Thank you for stopping by my blog.
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September 18, 2016 at 9:02 pm
Thank you too!! I am happy to find new recipes 🙂
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September 26, 2016 at 4:31 am
I love your blog and I am an avid Japanese food lover. Being a constant visitor to your blog I have nominated you for “A lovely Blog Award”. Your food and your blog is wonderful.
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September 26, 2016 at 10:11 pm
Thanks for your great comment!! And thank you so much for nominating me for the award, I am very flattered! I have been nominated for a couple of awards but decided not to accept it.
But I am delighted that you nominated me🙂. Thanks again 🙂
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September 26, 2016 at 10:52 pm
No worries dear! your blog is super awesome.
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September 26, 2016 at 11:53 pm
So sweet of you 🙂
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October 17, 2016 at 7:38 pm
Thank you for the follow. I recently moved to a self hosted site. So, please follow me at ministryofcurry.com instead of minstryofcurry.wordpress.com.
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October 17, 2016 at 7:46 pm
Oh, I thought I did at your new site! I am going to do it 🙂 I like your blog so I don’t want to miss any posts!!
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October 17, 2016 at 7:52 pm
Thank you!!
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October 19, 2016 at 9:37 pm
Dear Aki, I have been remiss in not letting you know that I have nominated you for a Sunshine Blogger Award. I apologize, and here is the link https://koolkosherkitchen.wordpress.com/2016/10/11/more-awards-and-a-dinner/ You are not in any way obligated to accept, and I fully understand that not everyone has the time and inclination to participate in these self-and-others-promoting exercises. Therefore, I will truly appreciate if you accept the nomination, as I sincerely think you deserve it, but I won’t get offended if you don’t. Nominating each one of you is my way of giving credit to some exceptional bloggers and perhaps attracting attention to your work.
All the best,
Dolly
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October 19, 2016 at 10:24 pm
Thank you, Dolly!! I am really honored that YOU have nominated me!! Because I always enjoy reading your blog very much. But I am so sorry that I lately decided not to accept any awards.
I was very excited when I got your message!! Thank you again!!
Best wishes,
Aki
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October 19, 2016 at 10:46 pm
It’s ok, dear, I am not offended at all! I just want you to know that I love your blog and also to let others know to go visit it.
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October 19, 2016 at 11:03 pm
Just want you to know that there is another one for you, and it’s just a token of my appreciation of your work. I am aware that your blog is award-free. I have nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award and here is the link https://koolkosherkitchen.wordpress.com/2016/10/19/a-new-award-and-a-mother-in-law/
All the best,
Dolly
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October 20, 2016 at 11:47 am
Dolly, thank you!
I checked your post! And I just want to say your granddaughter Alisia is so beautiful!! 🙂
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October 20, 2016 at 1:19 pm
Thank you, dear, for your kind words! I’ll tell her you said that.
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October 20, 2016 at 2:55 pm
🙂 My husband has two girls in New Jersey (who stick with kosher food). Your granddaughter’s picture reminds me the girls 🙂
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October 20, 2016 at 3:04 pm
May they all grow healthy and happy!
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October 20, 2016 at 1:39 am
I love all your posts on Japanese Food, my favourite 😋😃
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October 20, 2016 at 11:36 am
Thank you!! I am so glad you like my blog 🙂
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October 20, 2016 at 11:39 am
🤗🤗Have a blessed week ahead 😊
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October 20, 2016 at 11:43 am
You too!! 🙂
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October 20, 2016 at 12:27 pm
Thanks for visiting me! I love all Asian cuisine and am excited to find some authentic Japanese dishes. Looking forward to looking through your blog for some inspiration!
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October 20, 2016 at 2:51 pm
Hello Amanda! I found your blog accidentally and was impressed by your beautiful and delicious dishes!! Thank you for visiting me too! 🙂
Aki
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October 20, 2016 at 9:16 pm
Hi Aki
You have a wonderful blog. Glad to connected. Thank you for stopping by my blog.
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October 20, 2016 at 9:49 pm
Hallo Ruchi!! I found your blog on Dolly’s blog “koolkosherkitchen”. I like your recipes and pictures of dishes very much! So mouth-watering!!
Thanks for your wonderful comment! I am glad to connected too 🙂
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October 21, 2016 at 1:02 am
Thank you.. You are so kind
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October 21, 2016 at 8:15 am
🙂
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October 25, 2016 at 3:00 pm
Aki, thanks for visiting my blog and following it! I’m very excited to find out about your blog, since our family is very fond of Japanese food, and we are always looking to learn about how people actually cook at home.
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October 25, 2016 at 4:32 pm
Hi Tali! Thank you for visiting and following my blog too!!
I am impressed with your dishes! I am sure I will learn a lot of things from your recipes 🙂
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November 12, 2016 at 6:35 pm
Thank you very much for liking my post! Hope to see you around again!
Cheers
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November 13, 2016 at 12:43 am
Thanks for your comment! I am always looking for something new 🙂
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November 15, 2016 at 11:25 am
Hi, thank you for visiting my blog. It meant that I found yours and I love it! I’m really interested in traditional Japanese cooking and it’s lovely to find a blog with such helpful instructions. Can’t wait to try some of your recipes 🙂
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November 15, 2016 at 12:05 pm
Thank you for the nice comment!! I am always looking for yummy blogs so I found yours 🙂 My recipes are homemade Japanese food so it is not fancy but is delicious !! I hope you try at some point and like it 😉
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November 21, 2016 at 7:40 pm
Great site! I can’t wait to try some of your gluten free recipes.
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December 9, 2016 at 3:41 pm
I am sorry for being late to reply. I don’t like WordPress iPhone app… Anyway, thank you for the great comment!! Japanese recipes have many gluten free dishes!! I hope you like it 🙂
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December 20, 2016 at 7:03 am
Lovely blog; look forward to reading many of your posts:)
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December 20, 2016 at 9:46 pm
Thank you so much!! It is simple authentic homemade Japanese dish but it is so delicious 🙂 I hope you try it at some point.
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February 14, 2017 at 6:02 pm
I liked your blog, good article, I invite you to my blog:
http://dishdessert.wordpress.com
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March 29, 2017 at 8:08 am
Hi Your Home for Homemade Japanese Food Team,
My name is Anuj Agarwal. I’m Founder of Feedspot.
I would like to personally congratulate you as your blog Your Home for Homemade Japanese Food has been selected by our panelist as one of the Top 40 Japanese Food Blogs on the web.
http://blog.feedspot.com/japanese_food_blogs/
I personally give you a high-five and want to thank you for your contribution to this world. This is the most comprehensive list of Top 40 Japanese Food Blogs on the internet and I’m honored to have you as part of this!
Also, you have the honor of displaying the badge on your blog.
Best,
Anuj
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March 29, 2017 at 11:10 am
Thank you!!
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August 11, 2018 at 2:25 pm
Nice to meet you here, I look forward to read more of your post:)
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August 11, 2018 at 2:29 pm
Thank you for stopping by!!! It’s homemade dishes so not fancy but delish!! Hope you like it😃
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August 11, 2018 at 2:58 pm
Yes, it is lovely. I cook at home so it would be nice to try it:) Have a wonderful weekend
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August 11, 2018 at 3:35 pm
Thanks!! You too😃
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March 15, 2019 at 3:25 am
thank you for following me and i’m excited to learn real japanese cooking from you – best, beth
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March 18, 2019 at 10:03 am
Thank you Beth!!!
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June 11, 2019 at 4:28 am
Just wanted to say Hi 🙂 You have a lovely blog.
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June 12, 2019 at 12:45 am
Thank you for dropping by😃
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February 22, 2021 at 5:21 pm
Hi, Chika, are you available for a magazine interview? My details are below. This is for Bottom Line Personal magazine, a national lifestyle publication and is on making sushi at home. Hope you get this!!
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February 23, 2021 at 6:17 pm
Hi Julie,
Thank you for the kind message. I would be happy to do an interview with you about making sushi at home. I am deaf in one ear so talking on the phone or computer is quite difficult for me. If the interview is through emails, that would be very helpful. But if it is a phone interview, it would be helpful if my husband could be there when we do the interview to help make sure I hear the questions correctly. Best wishes,
Chika
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