We had the good fortune of connecting with Namiko Hirasawa Chen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nami, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe Just One Cookbook has managed to sustain a loyal reader base over the past 13 years due to our authenticity. The blogging landscape is ever-evolving, and we have overcome many challenges along the way. However, one thing I will never compromise on is continuing to share authentic Japanese recipes. There are many sites out there that offer their interpretations of Japanese cuisine, but often, these are not authentic. As a Japanese person, I want the world to understand the true flavors of our dishes and how they are supposed to taste. By meticulously testing each recipe numerous times until I am completely satisfied with the outcome, we have been able to capture both the hearts and stomachs of our readers.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career started entirely by accident. In 2011, food blogging was not as recognized and definitely not seen as a viable career path. Despite some months earning as little as $20 in the early days, I was driven by my passion for sharing Japanese cuisine with friends and family who were interested in learning. As the revenue began to incrementally increase, it still didn’t quite feel like a career, yet I devoted countless days and nights to building the site, sharing recipes, and fostering the Just One Cookbook community. This endeavor wasn’t difficult for me; financial gain was never my motivation. The joy of people cooking and enjoying my recipes was my true reward.

I am truly fortunate to be a testament to the idea that when you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. I encourage everyone to find their passion, envision their ultimate goal, and pursue it relentlessly.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would start off day one north of San Francisco near Bodega Bay, drive along the beautiful coast, and enjoy crab, oysters, and other seafood at Anello Family Crab & Seafood. Then, we make our way east and stop by Korbel Winery for wine tasting, and finish with dinner at Bravas Bar de Tapas, spending a night at Hotel Healdsburg.

On Day Two we would continue our journey through the wine country with stops at Castello di Amorosa, Peju, and Opus One Winery, and lunch at Bouchon Bistro. Spend a night at Solage and dine by the poolside at Solbar.

On Day Three, head to San Francisco through the Golden Gate Bridge and grab dim sum at Palette Tea House. Then, we’ll drive through the beautiful Golden Gate Park and check out the Japanese Tea Garden and de Young Museum. Watch the sunset from Ocean Beach and grab a bite at Mijote before checking into the Fairmont Hotel and taking in the night views of San Francisco.

On Day Four, drive down along the coast and grab a lobster roll at Sam’s Chowder House. Continue the coastal drive and taste some chocolate at Donnelly Chocolates, and have dinner at Copal Restaurant. Spend the night at Seascape Beach Resort.

On Day Five, we’ll head to 17 Mile Drive at Carmel and have lunch at The Lodge at Pebble Beach overlooking the 18th green. Walk around downtown Carmel and have dinner at Chez Noir. We’ll end the night at Bernardus Lodge & Spa.

On Day Six, have breakfast at Lucia and drive down to Big Sur along the coast, hiking around Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Grab a late lunch at Nepenthe overlooking the ocean. Head back to Carmel and dine at La Balena before returning to Bernardus Lodge & Spa for a massage and beauty sleep.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a shoutout to Chef Shigeyuki Furukawa, the owner and chef of Kado no Mise and Sanjusan Restaurant in Minneapolis. I had the opportunity to dine at his exceptional restaurant and was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the food. During the meal, we had a conversation and discovered that we have shared similar journeys, in which our commitment to stay true to Japanese food authenticity initially took time to be appreciated. In the early years of his restaurant, many people were unfamiliar with and did not fully understand the food he was presenting. However, fast forward six years, as Japanese food has grown in popularity, his perseverance has truly paid off. This is something I deeply resonate with.

Website: https://www.justonecookbook.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justonecookbook/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justonecookbook

Youtube: https://youtube.com/justonecookbook

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.