Ryan McCorvie: Bringing Japanese Flavors to Your Kitchen

Ryan McCorvie fell in love with cooking during his travels through Japan. While he enjoys cuisines from around the world, Japanese food holds a special place in his heart — and his kitchen.

From Tokyo Streets to Home Cooking

Ryan's passion for Japanese cuisine took off during an extended stay in Japan. He spent nearly a year immersing himself in the culture, studying the language, and exploring Zen Buddhism. But it wasn't just the language that captivated Ryan. Wandering through Tokyo with his family, he discovered the magic of Omoide Yokocho, a lively street food hub. There, amid the sizzle and smoke, Ryan found his calling: yakitori.

Yakitori isn't your average grilled chicken. It requires a careful balance of technique and flavor that Ryan has spent years perfecting. The secret? A special white charcoal called binchotan and a savory-sweet sauce known as tare.

Ryan learned that every chef's tare is unique — a blend of soy sauce, ginger, sugar, mirin, and sake. The low-and-slow cooking method, with temperatures around 200°F, ensures juicy, flavorful chicken. Frequent turning and basting create that irresistible sticky finish that makes yakitori so addictive.

Bringing Japan to California

Back in California, Ryan dove into Japanese cooking shows, attended classes, and pored over cookbooks. He expanded his repertoire beyond yakitori, mastering dishes like yakisoba, tonkatsu, and various stir-fries.

As his skills grew, so did his desire to share. Ryan started a YouTube channel to help beginners tackle Japanese cooking. He breaks down complex techniques and explains unfamiliar terms, making it easy for anyone to bring Japanese flavors into their kitchen.

Despite his growing expertise, Ryan still brings curiosity and humility to nearly everything he cooks. He's always on the lookout for new techniques and likes to expand into different cuisines.

Life Beyond the Stove

When he's not cooking up a storm, you might find Ryan:

Supporting free access to information as a Wikimedia benefactor

Enjoying a game of backgammon or trying his hand at clay pigeon shooting

Cycling through northern California's beautiful landscapes

Tinkering with music production in his home studio

Coordinating charitable activities at his local church

Ryan lives in northern California with his family, where he continues to blend his love for Japanese food with global flavors. Whether he's perfecting a new recipe, producing a track, or cycling through wine country, Ryan tackles life with enthusiasm and a desire to connect with the world around him.