Short essays and notes on food, history, and the kitchen.
Where ideas live before they cool into a book.
- Recipe NoteAugust 16, 2025 · Recipes · 6 min
Awase Dashi — Ratios and Variations
Kombu and katsuobushi together: the ratios that shift dashi from a miso soup base to a nimono liquid to a chawanmushi custard, and when to use ichiban vs niban dashi.
- Recipe NoteAugust 15, 2025 · Recipes · 4 min
Pad Krapao
This dish balances the intense flavors of Thai basil with savory proteins in a quick stir-fry.
- Recipe NoteAugust 14, 2025 · Recipes · 3 min
Tteokbokki
This dish combines chewy rice cakes with a spicy-sweet sauce for a satisfying texture and flavor contrast.
- Recipe NoteAugust 13, 2025 · Recipes · 6 min
Onigiri
Salted hands, seasoned rice, correct pressure. Japan's most portable food is a study in how salt ratio, moisture, and shaping technique together determine whether rice holds or falls apart.
- Recipe NoteAugust 12, 2025 · Recipes · 4 min
Khao Soi
A rich and creamy curry noodle soup that balances texture and flavor.
- Recipe NoteAugust 11, 2025 · Recipes · 3 min
Japchae
Japchae combines stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables and protein, showcasing the balance of flavors and textures.
- Recipe NoteAugust 10, 2025 · Recipes · 6 min
Soft Scrambled Eggs
Low heat, constant movement, remove from heat before they look done. The recipe is about understanding protein coagulation — and when to stop it.
- Recipe NoteAugust 9, 2025 · Recipes · 4 min
Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)
This salad combines fresh ingredients with a balance of flavors for a refreshing dish.
- Recipe NoteAugust 8, 2025 · Recipes · 4 min
Samgyeopsal
A quintessential Korean dish that emphasizes the art of grilling pork belly at the table.
- Recipe NoteAugust 7, 2025 · Recipes · 5 min
Pommes Purée
Robuchon's formula: one part butter, five parts potato, zero shortcuts. The dish that redefined what mashed potatoes could be by treating them as an emulsion problem.
- Recipe NoteAugust 6, 2025 · Recipes · 4 min
Tom Yum Goong
This iconic Thai soup balances sour, spicy, and savory flavors with a harmonious blend of ingredients.
- Recipe NoteAugust 5, 2025 · Recipes · 4 min
Kimchi Jjigae
A traditional Korean stew that balances fermented flavors with protein and vegetables.
- Recipe NoteAugust 4, 2025 · Recipes · 6 min
Velouté Sauce
A pale blond mother sauce — chicken, veal, or fish stock thickened with a blond roux. The sibling that shows what happens when you let the roux go one shade further.
- Recipe NoteAugust 3, 2025 · Recipes · 4 min
Green Curry Chicken
This recipe combines a balance of aromatic spices and fresh ingredients for a rich, flavorful dish.
- Recipe NoteAugust 2, 2025 · Recipes · 4 min
Pad Thai
A balance of flavors and textures defines this classic Thai stir-fry dish.
- Recipe NoteAugust 1, 2025 · Recipes · 4 min
Bibimbap
Bibimbap is a Korean dish consisting of rice topped with assorted vegetables, protein, and a fried egg, served with gochujang for added flavor.