Konnichiwa (Hi), welcome to Umami Pot! My name is Ryo Hikita, and I’m a Japanese culinary expert with over 25 years of cooking experience.
I started this blog because I wanted people around the world to experience the true flavors of Japanese cuisine. I posted my first recipe in June 2022, and since then, I have been sharing a new recipe almost every week.
The main focus of this blog is on Japanese dishes that are actually enjoyed in Japan. This includes home-cooked meals, traditional dishes, and popular items from restaurant menus. You might think that Japanese recipes are widely available online, but there are still very few English-language sites that provide authentic Japanese recipes. Even when they do, many contain inaccuracies or misleading information due to misunderstandings. Unfortunately, even top-ranking Google search results and Wikipedia articles often contain misinformation that any Japanese person would immediately recognize as incorrect.
That’s why I make sure to offer truly authentic Japanese recipes on this blog, with a balance of flavors that I personally believe is the best. While I strive to keep my recipes concise, I often include detailed explanations of why certain processes, ingredients, or cooking methods are necessary in my posts, which might make some articles a bit longer and more technical. I hope you see this as a way to properly learn how to make Japanese dishes, while also helping to prevent the spread of incorrect cooking methods and misinformation.
About Ryo
I’m Japanese and I live in Osaka, Japan. Since I was a child, I have had a deep passion for food, exploring various restaurants and experimenting with different ways to create delicious dishes, from Japanese to Italian, Chinese, and more.
My interest in Japanese cuisine grew significantly after I turned 35. As I got older, I started paying more attention to my health and realized that the Japanese food I had always enjoyed casually was not only delicious but also naturally well-balanced, incorporating meat, fish, and vegetables, all of which contribute to my overall well-being. Since then, I have specialized in Japanese cuisine, honing my skills while occasionally learning from professional chefs.
My approach to cooking is to keep recipes authentic yet simple enough to prepare at home. No matter how delicious a dish is, I believe that overly complicated recipes can discourage people from trying to make them. Fortunately, many Japanese dishes are simple to prepare, making them accessible even to beginners as long as they have the right ingredients. Let’s explore and enjoy Japanese cooking together!
A little bit more about Ryo
Age: Old enough to have played the first Pokémon game when it was released.
Location: Osaka, the food capital of Japan.
Favorite Japanese foods: Tonjiru, Japanese curry, and sukiyaki.
Interests: World cultures.
Favorite movies: Cinema Paradiso, Back to the Future, 3 Idiots.
Dream: To travel the world.
Thank you
More than anything, I just want to say a huge thank you for being here and for your interest in Japanese food. My goal with this blog is to help you enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine. I would be so happy if my recipes helped make your diet more varied and healthier. If you find a recipe you love, please let me know in the comments!
Contact
If you have any questions, inquiries, or recipe requests, please visit the contact page and fill out the form. I also welcome media inquiries and coverage requests.