About

Posted December 31st, 2008 32 Comments »

<About Ume>

Where I was born: Japan, Shiga prefecture

When I came to Perth: 2003, as a student to learn English! It was my first time to travel to another country (I had never left Japan before).

What did I do in Japan: After graduating high school I went to a collage to study English and animal science. I love animals and wanted to get a job which relates to animals in some ways. I also had a dream to come to Australia since I was a child as my image of this country is “lots of nature” “lots of wildlife”.

What did I do in Perth: After graduating English school I took Commercial Cookery course for one year. My original thought was taking animal nursing course but I changed to study cooking. Cooking had been one of my big interests since I was little too. I also had other interests such as learning special make-up for film industry making energy masks and creating monster!

My life in Perth:  Living with my husband who is from Indonesia, and a baby boy Hiro.  We occasionally go back to Japan and travel to Jakarta.  Homecoming trip is my favorite part of the year.  I love food, shopping, life … everything in Japan, but most of all I miss my family.

<About this blog>

A blog by Ume, a Japanese girl who lives in Perth, Australia.

Started as a food blog, but I write about Japan, Perth, and other things that I’m interested in too.

I love food, both eating and cooking. I don’t like wasting food so sometimes I eat too much.

I eat almost anything, except okura, tororo (grated raw yum potato-slimy), raw eggs… whatever got slimy texture. And, possible some weird food which people eat in China and elsewhere.

Any feedbacks? I’m very glad to hear from you :)

<About Bagelier>

I started to run this online bakery shop Bagelier since 2009.  Personally I like hard, heavy, chewy bagels, but Australian people tend to like soft and light ones.  Bagels at Bagelier are more like Japanese style bagels, and you have a variety of flavors to chose from! If you like bagels, why don’t you try Bagelier ? :)


Any question, suggestion, comment etc … ↓↓↓

Email : me@umeboss.com

aa

32 Comments on “About”

  1. 1 Giulia said at 4:35 pm on July 19th, 2009:

    Hi Ume,

    I loved the retro popcorn maker you bought! Where did you buy it from..??? I’m dying to know :) Was it from somewhere in Australia…?

  2. 2 umepontarou said at 4:36 pm on July 19th, 2009:

    Hi Giulia

    Yes, I bought it in Australia. The shop name is “HOME MART”.
    Do you live in Australia? I think you can also get it online, but I lost the site address…
    Let me check and I will let you know :)

  3. 3 Anonymously Angry said at 4:41 pm on July 19th, 2009:

    My friend lived in Japan for a few years. He was a skater. He used to tell me all about the people and culture. I’m trying to go next year.

  4. 4 umepontarou said at 12:53 pm on July 30th, 2009:

    Anonymously Angry ,

    I hope you’ll like Japan!

  5. 5 Kagemusha said at 11:52 am on January 20th, 2010:

    はじめまして梅ーちゃん
    I just found your blog today, I have been looking for Somen and Zaraudon recipes etc as it is summer and cold noodles are easy and oishii…but, Mentsuyu is expensive in Perth, I have found one webpage suggesting a homemade mentsuyu, do you have any suggestions ? I love Konbu-aji :)
    I am going to Japan in February (for the 5th time), maybe you would like to see some of my photos from before as I used to live in Fukuoka for almost 2 years, Yatai natsukashii ! Nagahama Ramen natsukashii !
    http://cid-c4e259002f53e91e.skydrive.live.com/albums.aspx
    Be sure to click on “slide Show” once you pick the album :)
    よろしく　お願いします
    影武者より

  6. 6 umepontarou said at 1:45 pm on January 25th, 2010:

    Kagemusha san

    こちらこそ宜しくお願いします。

    I wish I could go back to Japan! (><) Hope you have a wonderful time in Tokyo.

  7. 7 Kagemusha 影武者 said at 5:00 pm on January 25th, 2010:

    梅ーちゃん。。。Glad you liked my photos :) I have many more and some great video too, but I cant put it all up on MSN :(
    I am going to Tokyo for fun, I have been to Japan 4 times already (and lived there as you know), but the last two times I went it was summer, this time I wanted to go in winter…
    You have my email address, please email me directly if you would like to see more pictures etc, maybe I can get you something form Japan ? or, maybe you use MSN or Skype ?
    Always nice to have more friends….そして。。私は日本語能力試験 四級を受かった。

  8. 8 umepontarou said at 11:25 am on January 26th, 2010:

    Kagemusha san,

    I love winter in Japan too! Are you planning to go skiing somewhere?

    日本語能力試験.. did you take the test in Japan or in perth?? I can see your Japanese is great, you are writing Hiragana & Kanji. :)

    How long are you staying in Japan this time anyway?

  9. 9 Kagemusha 影武者 said at 1:13 pm on January 26th, 2010:

    No, I am not going skiing, just photos, shopping, and…most importantly, Eating :)

    I did the test here in Perth (日本語能力試験) at UWA after I returned from living there, I was pretty happy because I taught myself, I have never had lessons :)

    I am staying for 8 days, I will leave Narita on Valentines Day to return back here.

    I am making your Mentsuyu now (but I added my own Konbu dashi), I will have somen (cold) for lunch :)

    Please feel free to email me directly, I have a YouTube channel too, (I fly…:) Maybe you would like to see some Aerobatic videos ?

    Hope we chat soon

  10. 10 umepontarou said at 4:41 pm on January 27th, 2010:

    Kagemusha san

    I didn’t know there was such Japanese test in Perth.
    I hope you enjoy the trip!! And I really envy you being able to eat delicious food in Japan :p

    I’m going back to Japan on March too. I will be mostly staying around my house, relax and eating! I can’t wait :)

  11. 11 Megan said at 10:45 am on March 4th, 2010:

    Hi
    I just found your blog. I was searching for the Kimchi shop in Myaree and you had posted about it. I had a recipe from this blog http://www.lafujimama.com/ that I want to make on the weekend.
    I’m really looking forward to seeing more of your blog, especially since my husband and I love Japan so much.
    I hope you have a wonderful trip back home.

  12. 12 umepontarou said at 1:02 pm on March 4th, 2010:

    Megan,

    Thank you :)

  13. 13 lalala said at 9:17 pm on March 15th, 2010:

    Hi there,

    I just stumbled across your blog and I think, it’s love at first sight. :P I love it…it reminds me of the time I spent in Tokyo (I studied there) and all the wonderful foods I had.

    Cheers

  14. 14 umepontarou said at 4:02 pm on March 16th, 2010:

    Thanks Lalala :D

  15. 15 こたつdeみかん said at 9:33 pm on June 3rd, 2010:

    Umeさん初めまして！
    いつもおいしそうな写真とお役立ち情報、楽しく拝見させていただいております。
    パース初級の私には、とても助かっております。
    私もおいしいものを食べたり作るのが好きです、それに勝手にumeさんと何点か共通点があるような気がしたので・・・。もし気が向いたらメイルくださいね。
    （初コメントで厚かましい内容ですみません。）
    出来たらいろいろ教えてもらいたかった事があったので・・・。本当に気が向いたらで！
    これからもブログ楽しみにしております♪

  16. 16 umepontarou said at 3:16 pm on June 4th, 2010:

    こたつdeみかん さん

    こんにちは♪
    ありがとうございます；）

    また後ほどメールさせて頂きますね☆

  17. 17 MissyMinxy said at 8:38 pm on June 29th, 2010:

    Hi Ume!

    I was just looking at your blog and I wanted to ask you if you know of any shops in Perth that sell Japanese skin care and make up. Not just Shiseido, but other brands that you would find in Japan that are not available in Australia. For example, Paul & Joe, Maquillage.. etc.

    Thanks! Feel free to email me if you’d like ^^

  18. 18 umepontarou said at 8:46 pm on June 29th, 2010:

    Hi MissyMinxy,

    Hmmmm… not much variety, but Nippon Food in Fremantle and Maruyu in Perth sell some skin/hair care products from Japan :)
    Not expensive brand stuff though….

  19. 19 MissyMinxy said at 9:56 pm on June 29th, 2010:

    Thanks Ume! I will check them out! (><)

  20. 20 umepontarou said at 12:04 am on July 3rd, 2010:

    Anytime ;)

  21. 21 Krystal said at 3:23 pm on August 22nd, 2010:

    こんにちはうめさん、

    サイトはすごいですね！　＾＿＾ 質問があるんですけど。。。

    Back to English now, hehe. I was wondering if you know of any shop that sells Japanese Ice-creams in Perth? I’m looking for either ‘Suika Bar’ (Watermelon popsicle) or ‘Gari Gari Kun’ (Mr. Crunchy Blue Popsicle). Thank you for your time.

    -K.

  22. 22 umepontarou said at 9:55 am on August 23rd, 2010:

    Krystal,

    Thanks for visiting :)

    Yes there are several Japanese grocery shops in Perth. I’ve seen Gari Gari Kun at Nippon Food in Fremantle & Subiaco, and Super Fuji in Victoria Park.

    Nippon Food Subiaco:
    Shop 26/180 Rokeby Rd Subiaco

    Nippon Food Fremantle:
    Unit1, 19 Collie St Fremantle

    Suer Fuji:
    245 Albany Hwy, Victoria Park
    08 9470 4402

    But I’m not sure if they still sell them, as it’s winter now.

  23. 23 Jacqueline said at 1:52 am on March 5th, 2011:

    Hi Love your Site .. was living in Perth along time ago … :P Seeing all the things tat u do in Perth .. makes me think of Perth again ..

    exactly when i look at your “Eat out in Jakarta” hm. u mizz out lots of good foods in Jakarta .. u should try the japanese food in Blok M .. its good .. n Italian Food here is very good too

    Would love to make frenz with u if tats ok .. I love to cook and eat too .. :)

    Yoroshiku =)

  24. 24 cia said at 7:12 pm on March 5th, 2011:

    Ume san,
    Your blog is really wonderful! I feel that I can relate myself with a lot of things (I’m an Indonesian who loves Japanese culture and is currently studying in Australia)
    Your posts and recipes are interesting..can’t wait for more updates!
    Btw, congratulations for your pregnancy..hope that you will deliver safely :)

  25. 25 umepontarou said at 4:41 am on March 9th, 2011:

    Hi Jacqueline,

    Oh, do you live in Jakarta now? I love the food there… and so cheap! :)

  26. 26 umepontarou said at 4:42 am on March 9th, 2011:

    Hi Cia,

    Thanks! Do you live in Perth, or another city in Australia?
    Hope you enjoy some of my recipe :)

  27. 27 windy said at 5:57 pm on March 11th, 2011:

    just suddenly randomly remember about you when i’m watching news about japan’s tsunami..
    are your family in japan alright??

    regards from your blog follower in sydney (^.^)V

  28. 28 umepontarou said at 10:42 am on March 12th, 2011:

    Hi Windy,

    Luckily all my families live in western side of Japan, no ocean around, and they are ok.
    Thanks for your thought.. :)

  29. 29 Novita said at 7:56 pm on March 27th, 2011:

    Hi Ume, I just known your blog from a friend of mine that lives in Perth. She was saying about you making the most delicious bagel and the recipes you have in this site.

    I’m from Indonesia, and I also love to eat interesting foods (only cook a little when I have the time :p)

    Nice to know you, Ume. :)

  30. 30 umepontarou said at 7:46 am on March 28th, 2011:

    Hi Novita,

    Nice to know you too, and thanks for the compliment! :D
    I love Indonesian food. They’re very cheap over there, and tasty! I sometimes can’t enough of sambal, hehe

  31. 31 Jun said at 12:08 pm on April 9th, 2011:

    Hi Ume,

    Chanced upon your blog while googling for takikomi-gohan!
    You have a nice blog here! I enjoyed reading it. And congrats on your little bundle of joy! ^^
    I was living in Brisbane for uni, then moving back to Singapore after that. I went on an Japanese language exchange trip to Hiroshima when i was in college, hence, I’m still largely in touch with the things in Japan through my friends, and going back to Japan has been made a ritual once a year!

    Have a good time in Perth!
    & hello hiro! :)

    cheers,
    Jun.

  32. 32 umepontarou said at 12:42 pm on April 10th, 2011:

    Thanks Jun!
    Wow you go to Japan once a year, you must have been to many places in Japan already. :)
    This year may be different because of the earthquake though… but it’s always good to hear from someone who loves my country.
    And, hello back from Hiro! :)

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