Umami Mart

"Handsome mixology instruments and elegant glazed ceramic cups will lure you in and toward the back of the store, where you’ll find the good stuff: a fine sake selection, Japanese beers of all varieties, and shrubs for mixing. (In a nook behind that is a veritable convenience store of imported snacks.) On the way, you’ll pass framed prints and plenty more fine design—mainly Japanese with some Scandinavian for extra good measure. Kanpai!" - Pitch Interactive

"Umami Mart is known for its amazing selection of lifestyle goods and Japanese food products, but it is also the home to a tasting room-slash-bar, and this weekend the shop has a treat in store. On Sunday, April 21, from 3 to 7 p.m., the bar will welcome Kenta Goto of New York’s Bar Goto, according to Instagram. There will be bar snacks and a trio of cocktails available, including a sakura martini and hojicha old fashioned; no reservations are required, and it’s first come, first served." - Eater Staff

"UMAMI Tote ($18) This tote from the Japanese store/bar in Oakland is perfect for someone who’d appreciate cute drawings of things like urchins, anchovies, and ice cream. The other stuff in Umami Mart’s online store is also worth checking out - they’ve got a near-overwhelming inventory of beautifully-designed glasses, and barware, and a great selection of sake and whiskeys (a membership to their sake club would make a fantastic gift, too)." - julia chen 1

"Umami Mart in Oakland, run by Yoko Kumano and Kayoko Akabori, stocks everything from kitchen tools to barware and drinks—and also hosts sake tastings."

"Ube is the latest ingredient to feel like it’s nearly ubiquitous. But this babka wreath, a collaboration between Umamicart and Filipino dessert company Kora, dabbles in fusion while still respecting the ingredient." - Jaya Saxena