A Very Asian Guide to Japanese Food

Explore the delicious world of Japanese food! A Very Asian Guide to Japanese Food introduces little readers to classic and modern Japanese dishes and provides fun facts about the foods and culture of Japan. Learn about the origins of the beloved curry rice or how slurping your ramen is encouraged! Author, Naoko Takei Moore, and illustrator, Yoko Baum, share their joy for the innovations and traditions that make up Japan’s rich culinary culture. The Very Asian Guide series was started started by author Michelle Li, who ignited a global movement of unity with the viral hashtag #veryasian after she received a racist voicemail in response to her sharing on-air the Korean foods she eats. We have released more books in the series covering a range of cuisines and cultures, sharing food and joy to kids and adults alike

Originally from Tokyo, Japan, Naoko Takei Moore is a renowned donabe (Japanese clay pot) and Japanese home-cooking expert based in Los Angeles, California. She is the author of the cookbook DONABE and the owner of TOIRO, a unique shop in West Hollywood specializing in donabe and hand-selected Japanese artisan kitchenware and tableware. Naoko’s work has garnered attention from major outlets like the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. Naoko’s mission is to share the rich Japanese food culture and the joy of donabe cooking worldwide through her shop and various culinary activities. See her work @mrsdonabe on social. Yoko Baum, a Japanese illustrator based in Portland, Oregon, boasts extensive experience in the industry. Armed with a BFA, she dedicated several years to the children’s books sector. Today, her passion lies in editorial, advertising, and publishing illustration. When not immersed in her craft, Yoko finds joy in cooking and baking for her sons, summer hikes, and occasional winter knitting, weaving nature’s abundance into vibrant 2D visuals.