Welcome from the founder, Elie Shimaoka

Hello! I'm Elie Shimaoka, the founder of Edible Stories (pen name - Umami Kid). Growing up in Tokyo, I've always been passionate about food. From omakase restaurants to street food stalls, I've explored various cuisines from different cultures. I had always wanted to publish articles online about food, but never had the opportunity. However, during the summer NYtimes program focused on food journalism, I had a brilliant idea. Since I can't dine at delicious restaurants while attending boarding school in a rural area, why not make the most of my time in NYC, one of the best cities for restaurant exploration? Thus, I started this food blog. Tourists, New Yorkers, students—anyone can visit our blog and discover new dining spots. This is truly a dream come true!

Elie, known as the umami kid, enjoys discovering diverse culinary experiences in various locations.

Go back to Homepage