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 in collaboration with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook, 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…
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”
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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
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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
More info visit: Digital.Nichibei.org
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