In our next two episodes, we'll be focusing on the Ise-Shima, Mie area of central Japan, which has been in the spotlight recently for the G7 Summit being held there. This scenic area is a treasure trove of fresh, delicious seafood, and we'll be learning about Kaiseki-style cuisine, which uses expert skills to bring out the very best of this incredible seafood. This episode will be focusing on two dishes: onigawara-yaki style grilled spiny lobster, made with one of Ise-Shima's best known catches, and handmade sushi balls, topped with a wide variety of the best of land and sea that Ise-Shima has to offer.

In this episode, we'll be making chikuzen-ni, a local favorite from Rika's hometown of Fukuoka beloved for the delicious texture of its chunky ingredients. Perfect for family gatherings or even just as a side in a bento lunch, this is an easy-to-make simmered dish once you just memorize the proportions of the seasonings. For our side, we'll be making eggs with tuna and green onions mixed in and cooked until golden brown. We'll also learn about miso soup, and how to make Rika's favorite, miso soup with daikon radish and abura-age fried tofu, among the many other possibilities offered by the incredible versatility of miso soup.