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    Back to Good Food

    Good Food

    Decoding the Japanese Supermarket, Zinfandel 101, Queso

    A food writer and cookbook author explains how to shop for pantry staples in a Japanese supermarket. Plus, a short history and beginner’s guide to Zinfandel.

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    By Evan Kleiman • Jan 19, 2013 • 1h 0m Listen

    Are you intimidated when you shop at a Japanese grocery store? Cookbook author Andrea Nguyen guides us through the aisles of dried mushrooms, soy sauce and tofu at Mitsuwa Market and kimchi producer Lauryn Chun explains how to incorporate kimchi into familiar dishes. Gustavo Arellano takes us to the oldest Iraqi restaurant in Orange County while Jonathan Gold focuses on the upscale Tex Mex at Bar Ama in downtown LA. Zinfandel gets a new look from Good Food wine-guru Stacie Hunt and food historian Andrew Smith offers a quick history of both beer and soda in America. At the market Chef James Trees tells Laura Avery about the “culinary incubator” called This is Not a Pop Up and notes pomologist David Karp tells the story of macadamia nut farmer Jim Russell.

    In this episode

    7 stories
    1. 0:00

      Market Report

      James Trees is the current “emcee” at This is Not a Pop Up, a self-described “incubator” for chefs who want to cook creatively without the pressure of owning a restaurant.

      Read the story
      9 min
    2. 8:43

      The Original Iraqi Restaurant in Orange County

      Gustavo Arellano is the editor for the OC Weekly and frequent contributor to Good Food. He reviews Al Tannour, the oldest Iraqi restaurant in Orange County. He recommends the tashreeb (order extra khubz), masgouf and kobba musilia. Also - you can buy some kjubz when you leave and have flatbread to last you the whole week.

      Read the story
      5 min
    3. 14:06

      Decoding the Japanese Supermarket

      Food writer and cookbook author Andrea Nguyen guides Evan Kleiman through the aisles of Mitsuwa in West LA. Find photos and a list of Nguyen’s Asian market pantry staples on the Good Food Blog. Plus, find recipe inspiration in her latest book Asian Tofu.

      Read the story
      10 min
    4. 24:09

      Kimchi for Every Palate

      Lauryn Chun is the owner of Mother in Law’s Kimchi. Her new book is the Kimchi Cookbook: 60 Traditional and Modern Ways to Make and Eat Kimchi. Click here to find out where you can buy Mother in Law’s Kimchi or make it home with recipes from the book.

      Read the story
      7 min
    5. 31:14

      The History of Drinking in America

      Andrew F. Smith is a food historian and prolific author of books on food history. He is also a frequent guest on Good Food. His latest book is Drinking History: Fifteen Turning Points in the Making of American Beverages. http://andrewfsmith.com/

      Read the story
      7 min
    6. 38:36

      Zinfandel 101

      Stacie Hunt comes to us from Du Vin Wine and Spirits and Splash Productions. Her new e-book is Zinfandel 101. She discusses the history, flavors and reputation of this quintessential California grape. http://www.du-vin.net/ http://www.splashpros.com/ http://www.amazon.com/Zinfandel-Beginners-Publishing-Series-ebook/dp/B008L4AXM2

      Read the story
      10 min
    7. 48:09

      Puffy Taco and Queso

      Jonathan Gold reviews Bar Ama, the new Tex-Mex concept from Chef Josef Centeno of Baco Mercat fame. He recommends the puffy tacos, queso, molcajete, cauliflower with cilantro pesto, kale and zucchini calabacita and chicken fried steak. If you are someone who instinctually orders dessert, the tres leches cake is the way to go.

      Read the story
      8 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Evan Kleiman

      host 'Good Food'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Gillian Ferguson

      Supervising Producer, Good Food

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Laryl Garcia

      Senior Director, Good Food

    • KCRW placeholder

      Sarah Rogozen

      Associate Producer, Good Food

      CultureFood & Drink

    In this episode

    7 stories
    1. 0:009 min

      Market Report

    2. 8:435 min

      The Original Iraqi Restaurant in Orange County

    3. 14:0610 min

      Decoding the Japanese Supermarket

    4. 24:097 min

      Kimchi for Every Palate

    5. 31:147 min

      The History of Drinking in America

    6. 38:3610 min

      Zinfandel 101

    7. 48:098 min

      Puffy Taco and Queso

    Back to Good Food