Food & Travel

Savor global cuisine and explore new destinations through curated guides and experiences. Food & Travel on CurioAtlas fuels wanderlust and culinary inspiration in every story.

Koji Is Breaking the Mold Once Again

Photo: Andrew Bui • Food Styling: Jessie YuChen Jeremy Umansky had no idea mold could smell delightful until he grew Aspergillus oryzae. “It’s a combination of the sweetest, most aromatic tropical fruits you’ve ever smelled, mixed with pollen and nectar,”…

Koji-Marinated Pork Loin

Photo: Andrew Bui • Food Styling: Jessie YuChen A Japanese condiment made with grain koji, water, and salt, shio koji adds complex, umami flavor to any ingredient it touches. Klementine Song, chef de cuisine at Los Angeles restaurant Tsubaki, calls…

Sautéed Mushrooms With Koji Sauce

Photo: Andrew Bui • Food Styling: Jessie YuChen At Oyster Oyster in Washington, D.C., chef and owner Rob Rubba estimates he uses koji—the fungus responsible for myriad fermented foods and drinks, from soy sauce to baijiu—in 70 percent of his…

Blueberry Amazake Pudding

Photo: Andrew Bui • Food Styling: Jessie YuChen This light, fruity pudding from Los Angeles-based fermentation instructor Yoko Lamn showcases the sweet prowess of amazake. Fermented with either koji or sake lees, the Japanese rice drink develops a syrupy quality,…