Nichi Bei Café

Has the seemingly never-ending pandemic got you down? Come and hang out at the Nichi Bei Café, where east meets west to serve up a mixed plate of Japanese American news and culture.

An innovative monthly livestream program designed to keep the community engaged and connected from the comforts of their own homes, the Nichi Bei Café will feature news and events, cooking videos with our office chef, Kota Morikawa, origami video lessons with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree, cocktail recipes and more from The Gochiso Gourmet Ryan Tatsumoto in Hawai‘i, and videos of Japanese American legacy businesses.

The Nichi Bei Café is funded by a generous grant from The Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation.

Stay tuned here to find out what’s on the next menu…

Thursday, May 16, 2024, 6 p.m.

Pastries: Peace Plaza Renovation Update

Salad: Kinmon Gakuen – An Asian Pacific Islander Heritage San Francisco Honoree

Chef’s Special: Food Tour of Little Tokyo

Dessert: Niku Jaga with Chef Kota of Kota’s Kitchen

News Bites: Community Events over the past month, including:

• Japan Coast Guard Ship, Kojima, last visit to San Francisco

• Premiere of Community based film – Kintsukuroi

• Spring Festivals

• Children’s Day (Kodomo No Hi) at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California

• “The Filmore Eclipse” premieres

 

Tips: Upcoming Community Events

Season 2, Episode 4: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Thursday, May 18, 2023, 6 p.m.

on the Nichi Bei Foundation Facebook Live and YouTube channels

Pastry: Recap of the 2022 Soy and Tofu Festival

Salad: SF Asian Pacific American Heritage Awards

Chef Specials No. 1: A Memorable Memorial: Remembering James Wakasa

Chef Specials No. 2: The Heart of Jtown Pop-up

Dessert: Takoyaki with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook

Snack: Dollar Shirt Origami with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

Tips: Community Events

Season 2, Episode 3: Japanese Culture

Thursday, April 13, 2023, 6 p.m.

on the Nichi Bei Foundation Facebook Live and YouTube channels

Nichi Bei contributor Gil Asakawa interviews singer-songwriter Kina Grannis, the Grand Marshal of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival.

Zensai (appetizer):

Spring Cultural Festival Guide

Salad:

Cherry Blossom Festival Parade Grand Marshal Kina Grannis’ personal quest

Main Course:

SF Kendo Dojo’s Koji Lau-Ozawa — Way of the Sword

Dessert:

Cherry Blossom Cookies with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook

Night Cap:

Onigiri Origami by Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

EXTRA!:

Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen announcement

Nichi Bei Day with the A’s

Tips:

Community Events

Season 2, Episode 2: Home & Garden

Thursday, March 16, 2023, 6 p.m.

on the Nichi Bei Foundation Facebook Live and YouTube channels

 

Zensai (appetizer):

Uprooted: An American Story

 

Salad:

San Mateo Japanese Garden

 

Main Course:

A bit of country in SF Japantown: Rosa Parks Elementary chicken coop

An Urban Oasis: Oakland Unified School District’s “The Center” with Lydia Yamaguchi

 

Dessert:

Ootoya’s Sweet and Sour Chicken (Tori Kurozu-An) with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook

 

Night Cap:

Origami Twist Rose with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

 

Tips:

Community Events

Season 2, Episode 1: A Time to Remember

Thursday, February 16, 2023, 6 p.m.

on the Nichi Bei Foundation Facebook Live and YouTube channels

Appetizer:

• A Time to Remember: DOR commemorations in SF, San Jose and Sacramento

Salad:

•  Yayoi Kambara: The story behind “IKKAI — It Only Happens Once”

Main Course:

Main Course #1:

Donald K. Tamaki — 40 years after the coram nobis cases and Black reparations

Main Course #2:

Films of Remembrance preview

Dessert:

• Nabeyaki Udon with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook

Nightcap:

• Dove of Peace origami with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

Tips:

• Community Calendar

 

Episode 12: Young Nikkei Newsmakers

Thursday, January 19, 2023, 6 p.m.

on the Nichi Bei Foundation Facebook Live and YouTube channels

Appetizer:

• Nakayoshi — Community networking for young professionals

Salad:

•  Oshogatsu by the Bay

Main Course:

• Nikkei newsmaker Lindsay Nakano

• Yonsei Japan journey leads to Buddhist ministry

Dessert:

• Matcha Gateau au Chocolate with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook

Nightcap:

• Origami Rabbit with Linda Mihara

 

Tip:

• Community Calendar

Episode 11: San Jose’s Japantown

Thursday, December 15, 2022, 6 p.m.

on the Nichi Bei Foundation Facebook Live and YouTube channels

Appetizer:

• Nichi Bei Bussan: Selling Items that Tell Stories

Salad:

•  Santo Market — Ahi Poké, Strawberry Mochi and Cha Siu Bao

Main Course:

• A Tour of San Jose’s Japantown

Dessert:

• Nishime with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook 

• Christmas Tree Origami with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

Nightcap:

• Lower Manhattan with The Gochiso Gourmet Ryan Tatsumoto

Tip:

• Community Calendar

Episode 10: Holiday Shopping

Wednesday, November 23, 2022, 6 p.m.

on the Nichi Bei Foundation Facebook Live and YouTube channels

Appetizer:

• My Sister’s House: A domestic violence shelter for Asian Pacific women and children in Sacramento

Salad:

•  Animated gift picks by comic artist Sam Nakahira

Main Course:

• Craft Artisans: Sumofish Designs by Brandt Fuse and Nikkei Jeans by Amy Sueyoshi

• Gift picks from San Jose’s Japantown: Nikkei Traditions, Zonkey Toys and Kogura Gifts

• Gift picks from San Francisco’s Japantown: Paper Tree and ChaTo

Dessert:

• Matsutake Clear Soup with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook 

• Holiday gift wrapping with a furoshiki with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

Nightcap:

• Ways to give

Tip:

• Community Calendar

Episode 9: Health and Wellness

Thursday, October 27, 2022, 6 p.m.

on the Nichi Bei Foundation Facebook Live and YouTube channels

Appetizer:

• Wrap-up of the Nikkei Angel Island Pilgrimage

Salad:

•  Irei: National Monument for the WWII Japanese American Incarceration

Main Course:

• Dr. Ken Matsumura, health innovator

• Sacramento’s ACC Senior Services turns 50

Dessert:

• Kabocha Pork Stir-Fry with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook 

• Daikon raddish origami with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

Nightcap:

• Lychee-lani Cocktail with The Gochiso Gourmet Ryan Tatsumoto 

Tip:

• Community Calendar

Episode 8: In the Mix 🥣

Thursday, September 18, 2022, 6 p.m.

on the Nichi Bei Foundation Facebook Live and YouTube channels

Appetizer:

• Nikkei Angel Island Pilgrimage

Salad:

•  Tanforan Memorial

Main Course:

• ‘No No Girl’ director Paul Daisuke Goodman

• Multiracial Nikkei parenting

• A multiracial teen finds home in Hiroshima

Dessert:

• Fresh spring rolls with yakiniku with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook 

• Puffy star origami with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

Nightcap:

• Ms S Cocktail with The Gochiso Gourmet Ryan Tatsumoto 

Tip:

• Community Calendar

Episode 7: 🍚Food🍙

Thursday, August 18, 2022, 6 p.m.

on the Nichi Bei Foundation Facebook Live and YouTube channels

Appetizer:

• Nikkei Wine at San Francisco’s Sequoia Sake with contributing writer Sam Kang

Salad:

•  Aloha Tofu in Oahu

Main Course:

• Santo Market in San Jose’s Japantown with Mark Santo

• Takahashi Market in San Mateo with Gene and Bobby Takahashi

• Umami Mart in Oakland with Nichi Bei writer, Akiko Minaga, and Kayoko Akabori

Dessert:

• Honey Sesame Shirataki Noodles with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook 

• Carrot origami with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

Nightcap:

• Almost on Vacation Cocktail with The Gochiso Gourmet Ryan Tatsumoto 

Tip:

• Community Calendar

 

Episode 6: Summer Festivals

Appetizer:

• Summer Book Review: Frank Abe and Art Hansen on voices of resistance

Salad:

•  The meaning of Obon with Reverend Matthew Hamasaki of the Buddhist Church of Sacramento

Main Course:

• The Return of San Jose Obon with lead choreographer Reiko Iwanaga and San Jose Obon Chair Ken Kamei

• San Francisco Obon with Buddhist Church of San Francisco President Arlene Kimata, with Bon Odori instructors Chiemi and Nobumi Silver and Kelly Eshima

Dessert:

• Anmitsu with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook 

Nightcap:

• Hawai’i 2.5 Cocktail with The Gochiso Gourmet Ryan Tatsumoto 

Tip:

• Listing of Obon Festivals across America

Episode 5: The Joy of Soy

Appetizer:

• Preview of the Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival

Salad:

•  LGBTQ Exhibit at NJAHS

Main Course:

• Hodo Soy video
• Interview with Bachan’s Japanese Sauce

Dessert:

• Tofu origami with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

Nightcap:

• Agedashi Tofu with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook 

Tip:

• Community Calendar and Obon Sneak Peek

Episode 4: AAPI Heritage Month Edition

Appetizer:

• Interview with “Free Chol Soo Lee” directors Julie Ha and Eugene Yi, featuring activists Ranko Yamada, David Kakishiba and Peggy Saika

Salad:

•  Pan-fried ginger pork belly by Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook

Main Course:

• Interview with Robert Handa – AAPI Heritage Month Honoree
• Chizu Omori‘s Antidote to Aging​​​​​​​
• Senior centers – Yu-Ai Kai, J-Sei, and Kimochi

Dessert:

• Rabbit origami with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

Nightcap:

• Mona Lisa with The Gochiso Gourmet Ryan Tatsumoto

Tip:

• Senior Services + Community Calendar

Musical Interlude:

“Asian Americans Make History” by Only Won, Larissa Lam and Lil’ Won

Episode 3: Culture Edition

Zensai (Appetizer):

• The world premiere of “Songs for J-Town” by Mark Izu

Salad:

• Ginger pork shogayaki by Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook

Main Course:

• Community festivals spring back to life
• Hawai‘i Okinawa Center

• Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i

Dessert:

• The end of an era at Benkyodo

• Happi coat origami with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

Nightcap:

• Negroni with The Gochiso Gourmet Ryan Tatsumoto

Tip:

• Cultural festivals across the country

Musical Interlude:

• “Songs for J-Town”

__________________________________________________

Episode 2: Home & Garden Edition

Thursday, March 10, 2022, 6 p.m.

View Episode 2 HERE

Zensai (Appetizer):

• The Grateful Crane Ensemble marks 20th anniversary with Sacramento performances

Salad:

• Katsura Garden in San Francisco’s Japantown: Bonsai, flowers and more

Main Course:

• Hayward’s Japanese Garden: A hidden gem in the East Bay
• Tanaka Farms in Irvine: Educating the public through farm tours

Dessert:

• Benkyodo: San Francisco Japantown’s oldest business

• Sakura Mochi with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook

Nightcap:

• Hina Ningyo origami lesson with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

Tip:

• Japanese Public Gardens

Musical Interlude:

• “Sukiyaki” for Tohoku by the Grateful Crane Ensemble

_______________________________________________________________________

Episode 1:

Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, 6 p.m.

View Episode 1 HERE

Zensai (Appetizer):

• How to make Yuzu Sorbet with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook

Salad:

• Preview of Northern California Day of Remembrance programs, including:

– Christine Umeda, chair of the Northern California Time of Remembrance in Sacramento

– Reiko Nakayama and Will Kaku, chair and vice chair of San Jose Day of Remembrance

– Jeffrey Matsuoka, chair of the Bay Area Day of Remembrance in San Francisco

Main Course:

• Creating Day of Remembrance, a video essay by Frank Abe, who helped to organize the first Day of Remembrance commemoration in 1978.

• The 11th annual Films of Remembrance, a showcase of films on the wartime forced relocation and incarceration of the Japanese American community.

Dessert:

• How to make an origami heart with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

Nightcap:

• The Da Gala cocktail with The Gochiso Gourmet Ryan Tatsumoto

Tip:

• Upcoming community events

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