This Japanese cooking tool is revolutionising kitchen tech
The Anaori Kakugama is a new multi-purpose kitchen tool that uses carbon graphite to lock in umami flavour.

Anaori Kakugama is a new multi-purpose Japanese cooking tool that uses carbon graphite technology to grill, simmer, poach, fry, and steam food that is packed with umami flavour.
Oddly enough, the genesis of this innovative new product was inspired by a sweet potato. Specifically, the sweet potatoes Anaori's founder, Eiichi Anaori, remembered his father roasting on chunks of carbon graphite that were discarded from a local factory.
Working with legendary Japanese Chef Hirohisa Koyama, Anaori began figuring out how he could translate the unique cooking properties of carbon graphite into a tool that could be used in a modern kitchen.
The result is the Anaori Kakugama, a square block of carbon graphite within which there is a grill and imo-gata (rounded bottom) pot that is ideal for boiling water, cooking broths, or making rice. Carbon graphite has the unique ability to minimise the cellular destruction of cooked ingredients, meaning that regardless of the source of heat and the mode of cooking, the essence of each ingredient is enhanced.
The Anaori Kakugama is compact enough to sit on a countertop and can be used for grilling, simmering, poaching, frying and steaming with a hinoki cypress lid that locks in umami flavour. Think of it as a combination of a crockpot and George Foreman grill reimagined with sleek Japanese aesthetics and eco-conscious technology.
To celebrate the release of this unique product, the brand is launching the 'Naturality Tour,' which invites 24 world renowned chefs to cook with the Anaori Kakugama in their kitchen.
Guests include Toru Okuda, head chef at Tokyo's famed Ginza Kojyu restaurant, and Rafael Cagali of London restaurant, Da Terra.
INFORMATION
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Mary Cleary is a writer based in London and New York. Previously beauty & grooming editor at Wallpaper*, she is now a contributing editor, alongside writing for various publications on all aspects of culture.
-
The bespoke Jaguar E-Type GTO melds elements from every era of the classic sports car
ECD Automotive Design’s one-off commission caters to a client who wanted to combine the greatest hits of Jaguar’s E-Type along with modern conveniences and more power
-
Casa Sanlorenzo debuts in Venice as a new hub for contemporary art
The luxury yachting leader unveils a stunning new space in a palazzo restored by Piero Lissoni – where art, innovation, and sustainability come together
-
Once vacant, London's grand department stores are getting a new lease on life
Thanks to imaginative redevelopment, these historic landmarks are being rebonr as residences, offices, gyms and restaurants. Here's what's behind the trend
-
Elle Fanning and Sofia Coppola unite on a Japanese craft gin inspired by the seasons
Elle Fanning and Sofia Coppola collaborate on a campaign for The House of Suntory’s Roku Gin – a seasonal blend inspired by Japan’s floral botanicals
-
30 years of Nobu: chef Nobu Matsuhisa on the trials and tribulations of a culinary empire
Nobu celebrates 30 years of its revolutionary Japanese and Peruvian cuisine. We speak with co-founder and chef Nobuyuki ‘Nobu’ Matsuhisa on setbacks, special guests and his love for painting
-
Kioku is a spectacular new Japanese restaurant at The OWO, London
At The OWO’s Kioku by Endo, James Bond vibes meet Japanese dining and spectacular London views
-
Spectacular spirits for the season of entertaining
Our spirits writer Neil Ridley looks back at some of the year’s most spectacular spirits releases – spanning whisky, cognac, rum and tequila – as thoughts turn to gifting and celebrating
-
Ardray whisky reinterprets Scottish traditions with a Japanese approach
Ardray whisky is the result of an exciting and groundbreaking collaboration between Scottish and Japanese whisky makers that presents new perspectives on a long-lasting tradition
-
Humo, a new Mayfair restaurant, revolutionises wood-fired cooking
Mayfair restaurant Humo experiments with different types of wood to create unique and delicious flavours
-
Roketsu offers spectacular Japanese kaiseki cuisine in London
The new Japanese restaurant in London serves exceptional kaiseki cuisine in an intimate setting for a little slice of Kyoto in the heart of the UK capital
-
Straight up! The best whiskies bar none
Our whisky edit features some of the world’s rarest and finest examples