Lina Takahashi (@takahasheats), a Japanese-American Colorado native, has built a name for herself as a Japanese cooking and travel content creator. Her authentic and warm approach on Instagram and TikTok touches over 3.1M viewers monthly, creating a community of over 80K dedicated followers who share her passion for Japanese culture. Now expanding to YouTube and beyond, Lina continues to share her story with a growing audience. In this exclusive interview, we discuss her journey into content creation, her passion for food, and her special onigiri recipe that holds a deep connection to her childhood.

 

From Personal Passion to Public Platform

Lina’s journey into content creation began unexpectedly. “I started right before COVID hit,” she recalls. “I had graduated college a year early, and while my friends were finishing their senior year, I was living alone in New York, cooking and baking a lot. I would send pictures of my creations to my friends, and one of them suggested I start an Instagram account to document everything.”

That simple suggestion blossomed into a thriving platform. Lina now shares her love for Japanese food on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. She has also become a fermentation advisor, deepening her knowledge of traditional Japanese ingredients.

 

Childhood Memories and a Special Onigiri Recipe

One of Lina’s favorite childhood foods is a soy sauce-marinated salmon onigiri, a recipe passed down from her mother. “My mom would always buy salmon from Costco, and after dinner, she would make these onigiri for our lunches the next day. She added soy sauce to the salmon to keep it from getting too dry, and that little detail made it taste so special.”

 

 

 

Lina Takahashi’s Soy Sauce-Marinated

Salmon Onigiri Recipe

Ingredients:

• Freshly cooked rice
• Cooked salmon
• Soy sauce
• Plastic wrap
• Nori (seaweed sheets)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the salmon: Marinate the cooked salmon in a little soy sauce.
2. Shape the rice: Using plastic wrap, take a small portion of rice in your palm.
3. Add the salmon: Place a generous portion of the soy sauce-marinated salmon in the center.
4. Form the onigiri: Cover the salmon with another layer of rice and shape it into a triangle.
5. Wrap in nori: Place a strip of nori on one side, wrap it around, and enjoy!

Lina fondly remembers how she would bring this onigiri to school. “Back then, not many people knew what seaweed was, so my classmates would always ask about the ‘triangle-shaped block’ I was eating.”

 

 

The Joys and Challenges of Being a Food Creator

Lina’s passion for sharing Japanese food is evident in her content, but she acknowledges the challenges that come with it. “I love the community I’ve built,” she says. “Growing up, I was always teaching friends about Japanese food, and now I get to do that on a bigger scale.”

However, accessibility to ingredients remains a challenge. “Not everyone has access to the same ingredients we have in Japan. I try to use widely available products like ponzu or Kikkoman soy sauce, but sometimes it’s tricky to find substitutes for things like rice flour or certain fish.”

Despite the difficulties, Lina embraces the challenge. “It’s fun to help people make Japanese food from their own kitchens.”

 

Future Plans: More YouTube, Cooking Classes, and Fermentation Studies

Looking ahead, Lina is expanding her reach. “In 2025, I want to focus more on YouTube and long-form content. Instagram and TikTok have time limitations, but YouTube allows for deeper storytelling.”

She’s also planning to launch virtual and in-person cooking classes. “I want to teach Japanese baking, like cream pan(custard cream bread) and anpan (red bean paste bread). I also want to share my knowledge of fermentation—miso, soy sauce, mirin, and sake are essential to Japanese cuisine, and I want to help people incorporate them into their daily cooking.”

Beyond food, Lina is interested in exploring lifestyle content. “People are curious about what life in Tokyo is like, and I’d love to share more of that.”

 

A Passion for Japanese Cuisine and Culture

Lina Takahashi is a bridge between cultures, bringing the richness of Japanese food and traditions to a global audience. Through her videos, recipes, and upcoming projects, she continues to inspire people to explore and appreciate the flavors of Japan.

If you’re looking for a warm and welcoming food creator to follow, Lina Takahashi is one to watch.

 

Lina’s Socials:

Instagram / TikTok / YouTube / HP