We were contacted by Steffi, a mother of two living in Berlin.

She and her eldest daughter had joined our onigiri workshop at the Japan Markt the previous year. Inspired by the experience, her daughter had a special birthday wish: she wanted to celebrate with her friends by learning how to make onigiri and try a fun Japanese-style meal. So, Steffi invited us to their home for a sushi-making birthday party!

’’ Temaki sushi ’’ – the hand-rolled sushi that’s easy, interactive, and very common in Japanese households. It's not only delicious, but it’s also a wonderful way to introduce others to casual Japanese food culture at home.

I wanted the girls to first learn how to cook Japanese rice properly – the foundation of great sushi. Once they mastered that, we moved on to preparing eight types of toppings using ingredients that could be easily found at regular supermarkets in Berlin. That way, they could recreate the experience at home!

Still, I’m committed to sharing authentic **Japanese food**, so I always bring my trusted basics: top-quality Rice, Noli(seaweed), and Soy sauce.

For this special visit, I brought Niigata-grown Koshihikari rice, which is considered one of the finest types of Japanese rice. The Noli  was from the Ise Bay region in Japan (sourced through our own network), and of course, the soy sauce was Kikkoman – a familiar brand globally but still a reliable choice.

I also made miso soup and served some homemade pickles as a complimentary surprise for Steffi. 

And yes, we didn’t forget the **onigiri**! We used the leftover sushi rice to shape cute triangle **rice balls**, just as many Japanese moms do when preparing **bento** for their kids.

In Japan, it's very common for parents to make onigiri in the morning and pack them as a nutritious and portable lunch. It's truly the ideal ''mobile food''.

To Japanese people, onigiri is more than just food — it’s a soul food, deeply tied to memory, family, and love. The recipe is simple, but its place in the culture is profound.

Japanese moms are not only great at making sandwiches — they’re also artists of bento! Their lunchboxes are full of care, creativity, and technique. These lovingly-made meals are a form of edible art. The dedication and fun they put into each meal is truly inspiring.

We continue our mission to make Japanese cuisine part of everyday life abroad. We want to share the foundational ingredients, the cultural background, and the beauty of home-style Japanese meals with the world.