We’re excited to announce that our friends at TOIRO will now be offering a selection of our tea and coffee in their beautiful store in West Hollywood!

They are the very first shop in the Los Angeles area to carry our products, and we couldn’t be happier to partner with such a thoughtful and inspiring team.

Here’s a little more about TOIRO and why we’re honored to be on their shelves.

Meet TOIRO — The Donabe Specialists of Los Angeles
TOIRO is a one-of-a-kind Japanese kitchenware store dedicated to the art of donabe—traditional Japanese clay pot cooking.

TOIRO Shop in West Hollywood, all items are beautifully presented

Founded by our friend Naoko-san (Naoko Takei Moore), also known as “Mrs. Donabe,” TOIRO has introduced countless home cooks and chefs in the U.S. to this centuries-old cooking tradition.

Located in the heart of West Hollywood, TOIRO offers a curated collection of handcrafted donabe made in Iga, Japan, an area known for its highly porous clay and deep ceramic heritage.

Each donabe they carry is made by Nagatani-en, a historic family-run workshop dating back to 1832.

But TOIRO is more than just cookware.

They’ve created a space that celebrates the soul of Japanese cooking, offering beautifully crafted tools, unique pantry items, and now—carefully selected Japanese tea and coffee from us!

Nanako-san is a visionary behind TOIRO and the bestselling author of Donabe: Classic and Modern Japanese Clay Pot Cooking, awarded as Top Cookbooks of 2015 by the San Francisco Chronicle 

Why This Partnership Means So Much

TOIRO’s philosophy deeply resonates with us: slow living, appreciation for craftsmanship, and a deep respect for tradition.

Their attention to detail and love for Japanese culinary culture is something we admire greatly. To have our tea and coffee featured among their offerings is both humbling and exciting.

So next time you’re in West Hollywood, be sure to visit TOIRO at 1257 N. La Brea Avenue.

Whether you're picking up a new donabe or just browsing their incredible Japanese collection, we invite you to enjoy a moment with our tea and coffee, now available in-store.

Visit TOIRO

TOIRO
1257 N La Brea Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90038
1-323-380-5052

What is Donabe? (土鍋)

Donabe is a versatile cooking vessel made from porous clay, translating to "clay pot" in Japanese. Originating from the Iga (伊賀) region of Japan in Mie (三重) Prefecture dates back to the Jomon (縄文時代) period (14,000-300 BC), these pots are renowned for their ability to retain and evenly distribute heat, making them ideal for various dishes—from soups and stews to rice and even smoked delicacies.

The Iga-yaki (伊賀焼) style of pottery, used in TOIRO's donabe, dates back to the 7th century and is crafted by the esteemed Nagatani-en (長谷園), a family-owned workshop established in 1832.

Donabe and Japanese Green Tea — A Shared Philosophy

At first glance, a handcrafted donabe and a cup of freshly brewed Japanese green tea might seem unrelated—but they share a deep, soulful connection rooted in intention, tradition, and simplicity.

Just as donabe cooking encourages slow, thoughtful preparation and communal enjoyment, Japanese green tea offers a moment of quiet reflection and sensory richness. Both are steeped in centuries-old practices and reflect a deep reverence for nature and seasonal ingredients.

When brewed properly, Japanese green tea—whether it's a vibrant sencha, a savory gyokuro, or a rich ceremonial matcha—delivers nuanced flavors that speak of the terroir and the care of the farmers. Similarly, a donabe dish simmers with layers of umami, drawing flavor from both its contents and the vessel itself.

It’s this shared ethos that makes our partnership with TOIRO feel so natural. We believe that enjoying a cup of tea alongside a warming donabe meal is one of life’s simple but profound pleasures.

So whether you’re new to donabe cooking or a longtime enthusiast, we invite you to explore TOIRO’s beautiful world—and while you're there, take home a taste of Japan through our tea and coffee selection now in store.

Inside the TOIRO shop, offers a variety of donabe

A Few Truly Unique Things You Might Not Know About Donabe

Even if you’re familiar with donabe cooking, there are still stories, traditions, and uses that don’t often make it into the spotlight. Here are a few insights you might not find elsewhere:

1. Donabe as a Family Heirloom with a ‘Memory’ of Flavors
In Japan, it’s not uncommon for a donabe to be passed down from one generation to the next—especially for families that cook with them regularly. The porous clay subtly absorbs traces of seasoning and umami over the years, developing what some refer to as a kind of flavor memory. Similar to a well-seasoned cast iron pan, this memory adds invisible depth to each new dish.

2. Some Artisans Hide a Signature Mark Under the Base
While many donabe feature a visible brand or stamp, certain master artisans discreetly carve a personal mark or family crest under the glaze, near the base—meant to be discovered only by the owner after years of use. It’s a quiet, almost poetic signature of pride and legacy.

3. Donabe Was Once Used as a Natural Humidifier
Before modern humidifiers, Japanese homes would sometimes keep a small donabe filled with warm water near a hearth or stove in winter to naturally add moisture to the air. The porous clay helped retain warmth and release steam slowly, creating a comfortable atmosphere—especially in traditional wooden homes.

4. Some Restaurants Use “Sacrificial Donabe” for Testing New Ingredients
In high-end kitchens in Kyoto and Tokyo, chefs may have a dedicated donabe they use only for experimenting with new ingredients or preparation styles. This avoids "cross-contaminating" the flavor memory of their primary donabe with unfamiliar or untested profiles—almost like a controlled lab tool.

5. Donabe + Tea Leaves = Natural Deodorizer
This one’s a bit of a secret trick from Japanese grandmothers: if your donabe starts to take on an odor (especially after cooking seafood), a gentle simmer with used green tea leaves and water can help neutralize the scent naturally. The tannins in the tea gently refresh the clay without chemicals—just another way tea plays a role in everyday life.

Got Tea and Donabe? 
Recipe Where Donabe Meets Japanese Tea 
Genmaicha Chazuke with Grilled Salmon (Donabe Style)

We wanted to create a recipe that goes well with tea and donabe.

How about a comforting, umami-rich dish perfect for lunch, a light dinner, or even a restorative breakfast?

Genmaicha Chazuke with Grilled Salmon (Donabe Style)

Serves: 2

Cooking Vessel: Donabe (any style with a lid, such as a classic hot pot or soup pot)

🛒 Ingredients:

For the rice & toppings:

• 2 servings of cooked Japanese short-grain rice (fresh or day-old is fine)

• 1 small salmon fillet (about 150g), grilled and flaked

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

• 1 sheet nori (海苔), cut into thin strips

• Finely chopped scallions

• Wasabi (わさび) or yuzu kosho (柚子胡椒) (optional, for extra kick)

• Pickled plum (umeboshi 梅干し) or takuan 沢庵 (pickled daikon), optional garnish

For the broth:

• 2 teaspoons loose-leaf genmaicha 玄米茶(green tea with roasted brown rice)

• 1.5 cups hot water (about 80°C / 175°F)

• 1 teaspoon soy sauce

• 1/2 teaspoon mirin (optional)

• Small pinch of salt, to taste

🍲 Instructions:

1. Prepare the broth:

   • In a small donabe, bring water to a gentle simmer (don’t boil).

   • Add genmaicha tea leaves and steep gently for 2–3 minutes.

   • Strain out the tea leaves (or leave them in for rustic texture), then stir in soy sauce, mirin (if using), and a pinch of salt. Turn off heat and cover to keep warm.

2. Assemble the rice bowls:

   • In warmed serving bowls, add a scoop of rice.

   • Top with flaked grilled salmon, sesame seeds, scallions, and nori.

   • Add a small dab of wasabi or yuzu kosho if you like a bit of heat.

3. Pour the tea broth:

   • Gently ladle the hot genmaicha broth from the donabe over each bowl. Let the flavors soak into the rice.

4. Serve immediately:
   Enjoy while steaming hot. It’s a deeply soothing and satisfying meal that highlights the warmth of donabe cooking and the nutty aroma of roasted tea.

Pro Tip: Use Donabe from TOIRO, please! (^^)

Visit TOIRO

TOIRO
1257 N La Brea Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90038
1-323-380-5052

• Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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- Kei and Team at Japanese Green Tea Co.