Sanma is a fish that glitters like a sword. In Japan, sanma is both extremely popular and reasonably-priced, at around a dollar per fish. Rich in umami-packed fat, sanma is delicious when grilled with just a punch of salt. It's also great as sashimi, in soup, and much more. This time, we visit Kesennuma, a famous sanma port in Tohoku, to learn all about this autumn treat. Why do the Japanese fall prisoner to sanma's charms every fall? Dive in and find out.

Fu is a processed, flour-based food eaten in Japan since ancient times. At first glance, it may look like bread, but it has few calories and lots of protein. This mysterious food soaks up umami like a sponge, making it a treasured ingredient in dashi soup stock-based Japanese dishes. Travel with us to an over 400-year-old city lined with beautiful buildings and streets to learn more about the elastic, kaleidoscopic treat called fu.

This time, we focus on konnyaku. This jiggly gray ingredient may have subtle flavoring, but it's an essential part of Japanese cuisine, often used in simmered and fried dishes. Konnyaku is high in fiber and low in calories, and is popular for dieting. It's even been used recently to make bread, noodles, smoothies, and more. From preparation to consumption, we learn all about konnyaku, which is gaining attention around the world as a superfood.