July was full of good food, warm sunshine, and memorable gatherings. I was lucky to join several BBQ sessions throughout the month with friends, family, and my work crew.
There’s something so classic about grilling fresh meat and vegetables over charcoal—it’s such a simple method, yet it brings out the most amazing, smoky flavors. Growing up in Japan, massive steaks and hot dogs weren’t necessarily everyday staples at a typical BBQ. But living in the U.S., I’ve come to really appreciate these American grill classics.
Asian BBQ Flavors & Grill Favorites
Since many of my family members and coworkers are Asian, we naturally brought our own flavors to the grate. We enjoyed a delicious mix of fusion and traditional dishes, including:
- Negi Shio Tan (Japanese salted green onion beef tongue)
- Korean-style Bulgogi marinated to perfection
- Yaki Onigiri (crispy grilled rice balls)
🍙 Recipe Link: If you want to make these at home, check out my Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Balls w/ Black Pepper & Cheese).
An Unforgettable Ice Experience at Okamoto Studio
One of the highlights of the month was our company BBQ! It was held at Okamoto Studio, a renowned custom ice sculpture studio in New York.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Okamoto Studio a couple of times for special events over the years. My absolute favorite memory with them was back in 2017 for the opening of Onitsuka Tiger in SoHo—they crafted the most incredible tiger ice sculpture, which left a lasting impression on me!
For this summer’s BBQ, they set up a hands-on experience where every guest could carve their own beer mug out of solid ice. On a scorching hot July day, shaving away at ice blocks to create a custom mug for a cold drink was the ultimate refreshing activity.
July Birthdays: 6 Cakes Overnight!
July is always a peak month for birthdays around here. This year, I challenged myself and baked 6 birthday cakes overnight for one of our chef’s birthday parties! I was pretty proud of myself for pulling that off without losing my cool.
Among the spread, two treats were massive hits with the crowd:
- Fresh Summer Fruit Tart: Bright, vibrant, and packed with seasonal berries and peaches.
- Banana Caramel Chiffon Cake: Light, airy, and rich in warm caramel notes.
With August right around the corner, I know I’ll be busy baking for all the Leos in my life next—time to start planning!
Related Recipes & Links
Want to recreate some of these summer dishes? Check out these recipes on the blog:
- 🍰 Fluffy Banana Chiffon Cake Recipe
- 🍙 Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Balls w/ Black Pepper & Cheese)
- 🥩 Leftover Steak Salad
- 🥧 Summer Berry Tart Recipe
