Join us this summer for the latest edition of Movie & Bites, our popular event series celebrating the connection between Japanese food, film, and storytelling. Families and friends are invited to enjoy two episodes from Netflix’s “The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House” by acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda, followed by a talk and onigiri tasting experience by the show’s food stylist Nami Iijima.
The series “The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House” traces the charming adventures of two friends who move to Kyoto to pursue their dreams through culture, community and food. It introduces the concept of makanai, the Japanese term for meals prepared by and for restaurant staff; traditionally simple, nourishing dishes made with seasonal or surplus ingredients and shared by the team before service. Rooted in hospitality and resourcefulness, they reflect the spirit of care that defines Japanese food culture, and the themes of the heartwarming series itself.
Makanai meals are often unpretentious comfort foods, such as onigiri (Japanese rice balls), a beloved symbol of Japanese home cooking and childhood memories. Made with simple ingredients—rice, salt, a filling, and sometimes nori (seaweed)—onigiri reflect the Japanese appreciation for high quality and seasonal ingredients even in the most humble everyday dishes.
Following the screening, renowned food stylist Nami Iijima, the creative force behind the culinary scenes in the series, will share her insights into the art of storytelling through food. She will explore how meals convey emotion, reveal character, and enrich the worlds created on screen, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the craft behind these unforgettable (and mouthwatering) culinary moments.
As part of Iijima’s fireside chat, guests will enjoy handcrafted onigiri prepared by Nami Iijima herself—the same rice balls she has long shared as a beloved makanai meal on her film and television sets. This August, join us to experience the flavors behind the screen, and get inspired to channel the spirit of makanai in your own cooking.