Wataru Yokota was born in 1980 in Okayama Prefecture in Japan. He has worked in various well-known French restaurants and in 2012 established his own restaurant consultancy. He now splits his time between working as a restaurant consultant, acting as private chef for special events and writing cookbooks. His latest book introduces California cuisine to Japanese readers. Foreword writer Makiko Itoh is the bestselling bicultural author of the Just Bento cookbook series. She now writes full-time to introduce Japanese food concepts to Western readers.
...Yokota offers dozens of variations of izakaya that are sure to attract many American hosts seeking to impress cocktail party guests...Color photographs of each izakaya show not only what the food should look like, but also how it may be most attractively plated. -Booklist The photos of each recipe are both helpful and mouth-watering. There are extra step-by-step photos when needed. The book is very well-written, organized, and printed. The hardback binding is top-notch and the photos are super professional, transforming the book almost into a coffee-table book. - Foods4.us blog Yokota's recipes are simple and quick, aimed at working folks who don't have a lot of time to cook but love trying new and interesting flavors. The Real Japanese Izakaya Cookbook provides clear step-by-step photos and instructions for each dish. The introduction gives guidelines for selecting, pouring and mixing drinks to complement the recipes - and even how to quickly grill and smoke meat to give it that authentic izakaya taste! - Midwest Book Review The Real Japanese Izakaya Cookbook features a delicious assortment of recipes perfect for pairing with drinks in the comfort of your own home!...This book is a great pick for those interested in Japanese cuisine and tapas-style eats. You will find classic recipes along with exciting new twists on old favorites. - Tara's Multicultural Table blog ...it's now possible to recreate all the classic izakaya dishes at home with Wataru Yokota's The Real Japanese Izakaya Cookbook....it's not only easy to find a dish to suit your mood-or what you've got in the pantry-but also determine how much time and effort go into preparation. - The Japan Times For those who want to cook small bites, this cookbook is the answer...This collection of recipes is simple and accessible...Moreover, this book features relatively easy steps to several different kinds of tasty snacks. - Nichi Bei Weekly The book gives straightforward instructions with practical hints, such as alternatives given for ingredients that may be more difficult to source-this is a book that has been written to be used, not to be left on a coffee table. - Japan Reference blog ...This book introduces many recipes for these simple dishes, and even provides tips for making the perfect drinks to serve alongside them. - Book Riot