Book Review: 'The Kamogawa Food Detectives' by Hisashi Kashiwai

✰✰✰✰ There's a little diner in Kyoto that's well-known, but a little hard to find. Through word of mouth, customers come to the diner in search of a rare treat. Run by a father-daughter duo, the Kamogawa Diner features delicious food. Yet, sometimes a customer is longing for something not on the menu. That's where Koishi Kamogawa and her father come in. If you are feeling nostalgic for a taste of the past, these detectives are in the business of tracking down the ingredients and (hopefully) recreating the dish. Sounds easy enough. Or is it? Sometimes the search for lost recipes is trickier than it sounds.

The Bottom Line: This book is divided up into the search for six lost recipes. From Nabeyaki-Udon to Tonkatsu to Nikujaga, my mouth was watering. Each search is like a short mystery strung together in the overall story of a father and daughter and their daily lives. This is an easy, relaxing read. Although I do wish recipes had been included, this book is enthusiastically recommended for mystery buffs and foodies. This is the first in a series, and I am eagerly looking forward to reading the second installment.

Details: The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai & translated by Jesse Kirkwood. Hardcover published by  G. P. Putnam's Sons in 2023. 208 p. ISBN: 978-0-593-71771-4  

Cookbook Review: Japanese Hot Pots by T. Ono & H. Salat

5/5 stars. Lovers of Japanese food are already familiar with sushi, but now they have another treat to try. The art of table top cooking is demystified in Chef Tadashi Ono and food writer Harris Salat's new cookbook Japanese Hot Pots: Comforting One-Pot Meals.

Hot pots or onabe are a staple in Japanese cooking especially in the winter months. These dishes are known for being simple and easy to prepare. While you can prepare them using a stove, for added fun try cooking tableside and get the whole family involved.

Authentic recipes are featured in this beautifully illustrated book. The recipes are clearly written and easy to follow including hot pot recipes for vegetables; fish and seafood; chicken and duck; and beef, pork, lamb and venison. There is an index and a handy section on resources for those hard to find items.

The Bottom Line: Perfect for the wintertime cooking, this cookbook fills a unique niche in Japanese cooking. Highly recommended for all home chefs looking to try something new and fun.

Details: Japanese Hot Pots: Comforting One-Pot Meals by Tadashi Ono & Harris Salat, 2009. ISBN: 978-1-58008-981-4