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WHY JAPANESE FOOD?
My name is Emma and I lived in Osaka, Japan for ten years in my twenties. I spoke the language, worked for an all-Japanese company, and was lucky enough to experience everyday life as a local rather than a visitor. I was welcomed into people’s homes, shared family meals, and learned the kind of cooking that rarely leaves Japan.
Food in Japan is deeply communal. Meals are shared, cooked together, and enjoyed in the moment. Those experiences shaped how I think about food, not just as something to eat, but as something that connects people.
When I returned to the UK, I struggled to find the everyday Japanese food I loved. I also grew tired of seeing so much “fusion Japanese food”, especially when Japan already has its own Western-influenced cuisine called yōshoku. To me, adding further layers of fusion felt unnecessary. As a non-Japanese cook, I feel a strong responsibility to honour Japan properly, so authenticity has always been at the heart of what I do.
In 2013, I began hosting Japan Night dinners in my home in the Wye Valley, and Miniyaki’s was born. My focus has always been on the food people eat at home and in neighbourhood restaurants, the dishes that comfort, connect, and feel familiar to those who grew up with them.
I call this Japanese Soul Food
KATSU POD
Our new katsu pod brings my journey full circle. The tsuna (rope) pattern that wraps it was specially designed for me by Felissimo, the company that made Japan my home. Inspired by Shimenawa', sacred Japanese ropes that mark protected spaces, the pattern represents connection and being watched over. To me, it symbolises my path from Japan to Miniyaki’s, and a quiet wish of care and protection for this pod and everyone who eats here.
MISSION
Hereforshire/Monmouthshire based mobile catering business Since 2013.
My mission has always been to bring a taste of everyday Japanese cuisine, as authentically as possible to my customers. I want my customers to enjoy Japanese food here as they would as someone living in Japan.
With this in mind Miniyaki's doesn't do fusion dishes and you will never find us serving chips!
Our tagline is NO FUSION CONFUSION!
With the aim of keeping our dishes real, all our dishes are homemade using Japanese recipes and knowledge collected during my time in Japan. For ultimate authenticity we use some popular branded sauces & garnish to give our dishes that oh so Japanesy finishing touch.
Our selection of Regional katsu sauces & Japanese curry sauces are however, always homemade!
SUSTAINABILITY
Miniyaki’s use locally sourced, fresh ingredients in our artisan dishes, supporting local farmers and ensuring the best possible flavour for our customers.
We source all of our meat from Neil Powell Butchers, chosen for their strong commitment to ethical farming and high animal welfare standards, with all meat free range.
Our menus are designed with intention, allowing ingredients and preparations to be used thoughtfully across dishes where appropriate, helping to reduce unnecessary waste while maintaining quality and authenticity.
We also take care to minimise our environmental impact by using compostable and biodegradable disposable cutlery, bowls, and plates wherever possible.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
Miniyaki's are nut free as standard and offer both vegan, vegetarian & gluten free options.
We have an allergen chart in our trailers available for anyone who would like to check for specific common allergens in our dishes.
Customers are always invited to enquire about any specific allergen they may have. As all our dishes are homemade I will easily beable to tell you what is in the dishes.
We do need to make customers aware that, even though our gluten free dishes will be kept separate from other dishes, and each dish has separate serving utensils, our working/serving space is very small and there is always the chance of cross contamination.
