An exploration of Japanese home cooking, through 80 simple, delicious recipes.

‘Umai opens the doors to Millie’s tiny kitchen in Tokyo, showing us just how soulful and simple Japanese cooking can be. This book is heartfelt and healing.’ – Yotam Ottolenghi
 
‘A vibrant exploration of Japanese cuisine with beautiful writing and exciting recipes to nourish the soul.’ – Ixta Belfrage
 
‘This is a beautiful book. Millie takes your hand and guides you into her kitchen – the Japanese kitchen – in a very honest, approachable and wonderfully delicious way.’ – Noor Murad

Umai is an introduction to the comfort and serenity of Japan; it is an exploration and celebration of a culture deeply rooted in food. 

With over 80 delicious dishes that evoke the country’s rich heritage, Umai covers easy lunches, family favourites and classics designed for sharing, as well as simple and sweet desserts. Woven between the recipes are passages that will transport you to the enticing eateries of Japan. Venture to a traditional izakaya for classic small plates and recreate this at home, warm your soul at a no-frills hole-in-the-wall teishokuya or delve into unmissable delicacies at a local Japanese bakery – there’s plenty to guide you through what to expect on your journey. 

Take this as your invitation to enter the Japanese home kitchen and gain a local’s perspective on a cuisine that is known and loved around the world. 

Details

ISBN13: 9781837831852
Format: Hardback
Number of Pages: 240
Edition:
Publication Date: 01 Apr 2025
Publisher: Quadrille Publishing Ltd
Publication City, Country: London, United Kingdom
Dimensions (cm): 25.6(H)x19.5(L)x2.8(W)996
Weight (gm): 996

Author Biography

Millie TsukagoshiLagares is a home cook living in Tokyo. After working in marketing in London's food industry, she left the city and moved to her mother's birthplace, Japan, to write her first cookbook. Through her recipes, she aims to share her knowledge of the home-cooked soul food of her childhood and demonstrate the accessibility of the cuisine she grew up eating.

Reviews

‘Filled with beautifully elegant yet simple recipes and stunning photography, Umai is a gorgeous embodiment of the heart of homey Japanese cooking. With thoughtfully balanced and deep flavours; there's truly a recipe for everyone in this book!’  -- Hailee Catalano (and Chuck Cruz)
‘I’ve been a massive fan of Millie’s food for a long time. I was hoping this book was coming, and it does not disappoint. It is packed with Millie’s accessible and straightforward recipes. The book has a wonderfully gentle feel, that you get easily lost in. I can’t wait to start cooking from the book; all the recipes look and sound absolutely delicious.’ -- Joe Woodhouse
‘Umai opens the doors to Millie’s tiny kitchen in Tokyo, showing us just how soulful and simple Japanese cooking can be. This book is heartfelt and healing.’
  -- Yotam Ottolenghi
‘A vibrant exploration of Japanese cuisine with beautiful writing and exciting recipes to nourish the soul.’ -- Ixta Belfrage
‘This is a beautiful book. Millie takes your hand and guides you into her kitchen – the Japanese kitchen – in a very honest, approachable and wonderfully delicious way.’ -- Noor Murad
This book appeals to everybody… for people who love cooking at home, but chefs would love it as well. It’s a really beautiful book. -- Paul Ainsworth