Gut Chef Japan by Haruka Kato

Gut Chef Japan by Haruka Kato 🧑‍🍳 Helping You Cook with Confidence Using Japanese Ingredients
✨ Bringing Joy to Your Home Cooking
🙋‍♀️ Bilingual Certified Gut Health Coach

26/08/2026

Freshness is on another level at a farmer’s market…🛒

In Japan, our farmer’s markets look a little different.

They’re usually called 直売所（ちょくばいじょ / chokubai-jo), where farmers bring produce directly from their farms to local shops.

Many are indoors and open 7 days a week, so they’re super convenient.✨

I have so many supermarket options around here, but I still try to visit a local market at least once a week and buy whatever is fresh and in season.

One thing I really love about living in Japan is that local and seasonal food is often the most affordable option.👀

When I lived in Vancouver, going to a local farmer’s market felt more like a fancy weekend activity!

What’s it like to get seasonal & local produce where you live? 🌱

Let me know in the comments!⤵️

25/08/2026

I made my own dried fruit! 🍋

What’s up, peeps! Haruka from Gut Chef Japan is here!👋

Kabosu is in season here in Oita, so I bought a bag at my local supermarket. I used the juice from 1 or 2 kabosu to make fig jam, and I wanted to find a way to use the rest of the kabosu.✨

Last week, I borrowed a book about drying vegetables and fruits from my local library, and it inspired me to make my own dried kabosu slices!📕

I have a food dehydrator, so for my first batch, I dried the slices for 10 hours at 50°C (122°F), then left them outside in the sun for another two days. ☀️

Today, I prepared another batch in the morning, so I’m going to try drying them naturally in the sun!

Do you have any citrus in season where you live? 🍋

Would you be inspired to make your own dried citrus at home?✨

21/08/2026

The oyster I got is literally the size of my face... 😂🦪

What’s up peeps! Haruka from Gut Chef Japan is here! 👋

It’s really interesting how different supermarkets can carry completely different things, even in the same city.

I usually shop at a chain supermarket called Direx, but lately I felt like their fruits and veggies weren’t as fresh, and their seafood selection was pretty limited.

So today, I tried a different supermarket called Marumiya Store — and WOW. 🤩

They had so much more fresh seafood, including seafood that was still alive! 🐟🦐

And honestly, everything from the seafood and meat to the fruits and veggies looked fresher than what I usually get.

So... I might be switching supermarkets! 😂

Anyway, the giant oyster I got today is called “Iwagaki” (岩牡蠣), which literally means “rock oyster.” They’re named after the rocky surfaces they naturally attach themselves to.

They’re in season during the summer, and I’m SO excited to eat this for lunch! 🦪

I also picked up some Beni-Haruka, one of my favorite super-sweet Japanese sweet potatoes 🍠

I’m going to steam them in my electric pressure cooker!

If you want to learn how I make a simple Japanese sweet potato snack using a pressure cooker, comment “potato” or check out the Reel I posted last week! 🍠

P.S. Sorry I haven’t posted much this week. I’ve been figuring out my direction and honestly wasn’t feeling my best. But I’m still here! 🫶

I’ll keep sharing when I have something I’m genuinely excited to show you, like this.

Follow along for the journey! 🌿

New Reel coming out 8pm today!
21/08/2026

New Reel coming out 8pm today!

13/08/2026

It was one of the best mangos I’ve ever had… 🥭

What’s up, peeps! Haruka from Gut Chef Japan is here! 👋

Today, I received some beautiful mangos from a friend back in Okinawa. Her neighbor grew them, and oh my gosh… I’ve had many mangos while living in Okinawa, but this was definitely one of the best I’ve ever had. 🥭✨

I honestly thought I would miss mangos terribly after moving away from Okinawa. I mean, one of the reasons I moved to Okinawa in the first place was to “live close to mangos.” 😂

But you know what?

I’ve actually been really enjoying discovering the seasonal fruits available here in Northern Kyushu - many of which I didn’t have access to in Okinawa.

I’m really happy that we moved here, even though things with work haven’t turned out quite the way I hoped they would.

But that’s okay.

Receiving a special gift like this makes me feel like my friend is still rooting for me from Okinawa. 🌺

I hosted many cooking experiences with her, and she even looked after our cats while we went on holiday.

We have so many good memories together, so receiving these mangos from her felt extra special.

Lately, I’ve been sharing more of my honest journey and what I’m cooking day to day here on Instagram, and I’ve really been enjoying having genuine conversations with you all.

So thank you for being here and following along! 🫶

Stay tuned for more of my journey!✨

13/08/2026

People ask me, “What kind of snacks do you eat?” 🤔

What’s up, peeps! Haruka from Gut Chef Japan is here! 👋

Sometimes people ask me if I snack—and if so, what kind of snacks I eat. So, let’s get to it! 😆

I usually focus on eating filling meals, so I don't really snack between breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner.

But sometimes I get hungry after dinner because… I eat dinner at 5 PM! 😂

One of my favorite simple snacks is steamed Japanese sweet potato. 🍠

I simply wash the sweet potatoes, add water like I show in the video, and put them in my pressure cooker. That's it!

My husband Harrison loves them too, so during winter, I usually buy 10 kg (about 22 lbs) of Beni Haruka sweet potatoes from Mercari, the Japanese marketplace app, so we can enjoy them as an easy snack throughout the season.

Honestly, it doesn't get much simpler than that! 😋

If this little clip inspired you and you want more simple, healthy & seasonal eating ideas from Japan, follow me! ✨

I put together a little Reel of Sora-chan’s stayover last weekend! It’ll be posted at 8 PM today! 🌿
12/08/2026

I put together a little Reel of Sora-chan’s stayover last weekend!

It’ll be posted at 8 PM today! 🌿

11/08/2026

Anyone else into seasonal preservation like me? 🍉🙋‍♀️

What’s up, peeps! Haruka from Gut Chef Japan here! 👋

I always thought writing down recipes I created was kind of what grandmas do. 😂 (Sorry, grandmas - no offense!)

I used to think, “I can always look it up when I need it.”

But recently I realized… maybe I *should* actually write down the recipes I try and create myself — both the ones that turn out well AND the ones that don’t. 😂

That way, I can look back later, recreate something I loved, and remember what I want to change next time.

It’s only been two days, but I’m already having so much fun writing everything down in my little recipe book. 📖✨

And the funny thing is, I’m not making it to share with anyone or sell.

It’s just for me.

Yesterday, I bought a medium-sized watermelon for only ¥300 at a local farmers’ market, so naturally… I had to turn some of it into watermelon & tea jam! 🍉

And of course, I shared some with my neighbor too. 🥰

This is one of my favorite things about eating seasonally - finding what’s available right now and getting creative with it instead of always following a recipe.

If you love seasonal eating and preservation like I do, but you’re new to Japan (or arriving soon) and aren’t sure where to start, I also offer a 1:1 virtual “Seasonal Kitchen Session”✨

We can talk through the questions or challenges you’re facing - or might face - and I’ll help you feel more confident navigating seasonal produce and Japanese ingredients in your everyday cooking. 🧑‍🍳

DM me “SEASON”or check out the details through the link in my bio!

P.S. What’s your favorite summer produce?

My friend in Okinawa texted me yesterday saying that mangoes are on the way from Okinawa… and I’m SO excited!!! 😍

10/08/2026

One of these facts surprises almost everyone I meet... 👀

What’s up, peeps! Haruka from Gut Chef Japan here! 👋

It’s been a while since I introduced myself, and I’ve noticed so many new faces around here. So I thought I’d share 4 things you might not know about me!

1. I’ve moved... a LOT. 🏠

Since I was 18, I’ve lived in more than 10 different places! I’m originally from Tochigi, about an hour north of Tokyo, and earlier this year I moved from Okinawa to Northern Kyushu.

2. I’m not vegan... and I don’t eat organic all the time. 🌱

A lot of people assume I do, but I don’t! I buy organic when I can, but I believe in finding a realistic balance—not perfection.

3. I’m 30 years old. 😂

People still tell me I look like a high school student. I used to hate hearing that... but now that I’m 30, I’ll happily take it!

4. I’ve had quite a few careers. 💻👩‍🍳

I studied business, worked as a software engineer, became a holistic health blogger and gut health coach, hosted cooking experiences and retreats, and now I help people discover seasonal Japanese cooking through my online and in-person Seasonal Table Experiences.

Now it’s your turn! What’s one fun fact about you? Let me know in the comments! 👇

住所

212 Koiwai
Okinawa-shi, Okinawa
8710078

営業時間

火曜日 09:00 - 16:00
水曜日 09:00 - 16:00
木曜日 09:00 - 16:00
金曜日 09:00 - 16:00
土曜日 09:00 - 15:00

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