The Gaijin Cookbook: Japanese Recipes from a Chef, Father, Eater, and Lifelong Outsider

Ivan Orkin is a self-described gaijin (guy-jin), a Japanese term that means outsider. He has been hopelessly in love with the food of Japan since he was a teenager on Long Island. Even after living in Tokyo for decades and running two ramen shops that earned him international renown, he remained a gaijin. Fortunately, being a lifelong outsider has made Orkin a more curious, open and studious chef. In The Gaijin Cookbook, he condenses his experiences into approachable recipes for every occasion, including weeknights with picky kids, boozy weekends and celebrations. Everyday dishes like Pork and Miso-Ginger Stew, Stir-Fried Udon, and Japanese Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce are what keep the Orkin family connected to Japan. For more festive dinners, he suggests a Temaki Party, where guests assemble their own sushi from cooked and fresh fillings. And recipes for Bagels with Shiso Gravlax and Tofu Coney Island (fried tofu with mushroom chili) reveal the eclectic spirit of Ivan’s cooking. 125 colour photographs AUTHORS: Ivan Orkin is the author of Ivan Ramen and a star of Chef’s Table and Mind of a Chef. He owns Ivan Ramen and Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop in NYC, where the food is so good it makes your eyes explode (Eater). Chris Ying is the cofounder of Lucky Peach. Ivan lives in Westchester, New York, and Chris lives in San Francisco, California.