How to Make Shio Koji (塩麹)
June 13, 2026
This multi-purpose umami bomb brings a mellow, golden sweetness and depth to your cooking. Think of it as a living seasoning that
Best fluffy pancake recipe ever. Your family will love this.
— Dessert, Japanese & heartwarming recipes, and more by Norie —
Koi Matcha Jelly
May 22, 2026
As the heat of summer approaches, there is a particular dessert that I find myself returning to year after year. In the
How to Make Shio Koji (塩麹)
June 13, 2026
This multi-purpose umami bomb brings a mellow, golden sweetness and depth to your cooking. Think of it as a living seasoning that
The art of Kitsune-iro
In Japanese pâtisserie, we cherish the word “Kitsune-iro” — the fox color. That perfect, appetizing golden-brown hue that signals deep flavor and peak aroma.
My mentor used to say “Yakiga Amai!” — it’s too pale. That lesson shaped everything I bake.
Whether it’s a delicate financier or a flaky puff pastry — achieving that golden brown is the secret to unlocking umami and nutty sweetness.
Beyond the recipe
Behind the menu
May Review: Crafting Flower Cakes, Celebrating NYT Honors, and Kaiseki Dreams
May 31, 2026
It’s the last day of May 2026, a perfect time to look back and reflect on the month. I would say it
NYC Discoveries
Ingredients & tool
How to Make Shio Koji (塩麹)
June 13, 2026
Macadamia Nut Butter
June 6, 2026
Norie
Executive Pastry Chef · New York City · 10+ Years
I translate over a decade of NYC restaurant kitchen experience into recipes you can make at home — where French precision meets Japanese heritage, and every bake aims for that perfect Kitsune-iro golden brown.
