The 10-Minute Tofu Maker

Have you been hopelessly spoiled by the fresh tofu at En Japanese Brasserie? If so, you may want to invest in the Banrai Nabe, an amazing gadget that produces tofu in a record-breaking 10 minutes. (Supposedly, it also makes amazing chocolate fondue.) This was just one of many exciting exhibits at today's 13th Annual Japanese Food & Restaurant Show.

While happily munching on tuna sashimi dipped in year-aged Yamasa soy sauce and a shiso-plum paste hand roll, I noticed an interesting new trend: the tendency to treat sake like wine, pairing it with certain foods. At the "sake & food matching table," an aromatic Honjozu went with the black miso-braised pork, a rich Junmai sake accompanied grilled chicken, and a light Ginjo was recommended for delicate sesame tofu.

Another popular exhibit was artisanal food corner. Premium Wagyu beef, sweet potato vinegar, smoked sea salt and a deliciously mellow barley miso were on display. Maruyama Nori Ten Company blended traditional Japanese teas with herbs, coming up with combinations like jasmine genmaicha. Maruyama also offered special, non-clumping green tea powder, which can be used in baked goods. (If you'd like the green-tea scone recipe, just E-mail me.)