Dear Japanese Food Lovers,
Hello from Aiko at isfor WA, Oxford!
Last Friday, I had the incredible opportunity to watch a sumo tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London! It was truly moving — a fascinating contrast to the atmosphere at Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. Each bout was powerful and full of spirit, and I was captivated by the wrestlers’ skill and dedication.
By the way, did you know there’s a huge yakitori (grilled chicken skewer) factory beneath Ryōgoku Kokugikan? The famous “yakitori that tastes great even when cold” was originally created as the perfect snack to enjoy while watching sumo. Even today, they reportedly grill around 50,000 skewers a day!
The secret lies in their special sauce — a umami-rich, flavourful blend of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, continuously added to and perfected over time. It’s amazing how history deepens flavour, isn’t it?
If you’re interested in making delicious yakitori at home, I’ll be sharing a simple recipe soon on isfor WA — stay tuned!
Happy Cooking!
Aiko
isfor WA
