Just One Cookbook is a Japanese recipe website helmed by Namiko Chen, who has been detailing how to make dishes like classic gyoza and ten-minute mapo tofu for over a decade. Now, she’s launched an online store, JOC Goods. Much of her curated selection of tableware and kitchenware comes from small shops that generally don’t ship outside of Japan, and it’s all handcrafted by various local Japanese artisans. They’re the same people who have made many of the pieces in Chen’s own collection — one that she has been building over the course of many annual visits to Japan, extra suitcases for purchases in tow.
Chen has stocked the shop with tools like ultrasharp chef’s knives and wooden-handled vegetable peelers; tons of stunning porcelain plates and bowls; and specialty items like playful ceramic chopstick rests and a miso muddler. (I’ll also note thst a lot of these items would make excellent holiday gifts.) Below, a few of my favorites.
Despite the name, this bowl is an ideal size for not just rice, but broth and sides, too. The angular shape takes inspiration from the outline of Mt. Fuji.
Or opt for a bigger bowl to serve noodle soups like ramen, soba, and udon.
The chopstick rests on offer are all incredibly cute. They include food-related options like this condiment, other objects like a colorful balloon, and simple decorative structures like this checkered one.
And some chopsticks to go with. These come in five color options.
I’m completely obsessed with this miso muddler. One side is designed to hold a measurement of miso for one portion of soup, the other two. It can also be used as a dressing or sauce whisk.
This wood-handled peeler is quite nice-looking for such a utilitarian product.
These fry tongs shed oil as you pick food up from a pot. I imagine they would be useful for both deep and shallow frying, as well as grabbing boiled or steamed veggies. Plus, they’re a nice size — in between thin tweezer tongs and standard ones.
Elegantly pour soy sauce with a narrow spout from the beak of a bird.
A santoku knife is similar to a chef’s knife, but with a straighter blade. This one is made from incredibly high-quality steel, and the way the handle is curved will provide a comfortable grip.
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