Emily Mariko Just Told Us the High-Protein Breakfast She's Had Every Day for Two Months Straight

The mind behind the viral Salmon Rice Bowl that took over the internet a couple of years back, Emily Mariko is one of the most popular content creators on TikTok, with nearly 13 million followers on the platform. Her videos can be described as peaceful, classic and ASMR-driven, with the primary sounds of each clip focused on the noises in the kitchen instead of commentary.

When EatingWell was given the opportunity to interview Mariko herself, it was an immediate yes. Since few words are used in each of her posts, we were ready to dive deeper into the home cook’s favorites—as well as her collaboration with Green Chef and their newly curated recipe collection. Learn all about Mariko’s morning routine, her top three pantry staples and more below.

EatingWell: What inspired you to start posting and to keep creating content?

Mariko: I've always loved watching other creators. I definitely started as more of a fan on social media than a content creator myself, and as I got the courage to start posting on my own, I've just always followed the rule of making what I would want to watch as someone who watches a lot of other content creators. That's always been kind of my guiding principle in terms of my own content.

EatingWell: Could you walk us through your morning routine?

Mariko: One of the best changes I made last year was not having my phone in my bedroom, so I sleep with my Apple Watch. And I use the alarm on the watch and it vibrates on your wrist instead of waking you up to a sound. Usually when I wake up, my husband's at the gym, so I kind of have a slow morning to myself and then he comes back and makes me breakfast every day. Then we go on a walk, and then I take a shower and get on with my day.

EatingWell: Current favorite breakfast?

Mariko: I have had this craving for yogurt bowls. I have Greek yogurt with blueberries, raspberries, granola, chocolate chips and honey. I've had it every day for two months, it's really good.

EatingWell: Three pantry staples you always have on hand?

Mariko: I always have rice, peanut butter and soy sauce in my pantry.

EatingWell: What are your favorite meal-prep tools or containers that you love?

Mariko: I use a lot of containers every week to store ingredients or all of my recipes that I make. My favorites are Weck Jars, and I also love glass-lock Tupperware and my trusty OXO Salad Spinner.

EatingWell: The appliance in your kitchen that you can’t live without?

Mariko: My toaster oven is something that I use a lot more than people would think. If I make a batch of bacon and I want to have more the next day, I'll heat it in the toaster oven. I’ll use it to toast nuts and seeds—I always just put them on a sheet of foil and pop them in the toaster oven for like 30 seconds and they come out perfect. Sometimes I make pizza in there. I love my toaster oven.

EatingWell: Do you have a favorite rice cooker?

Mariko: I like my Zojirushi; it's a Japanese brand. But I think it's also really easy to make rice on the stove. A lot of the Green Chef recipes have rice in them because it's such an ingredient staple in my diet, and you definitely do not need a rice cooker in order to make a batch of rice. You can easily do it on a stove with a pot.

EatingWell: What inspired you to collaborate with Green Chef, and can you talk more about this new limited-edition recipe series?

Mariko: I have always felt as though Green Chef recipes were really similar to my own—ingredients-wise, simplicity-wise and health-wise. This is my first ever recipe collaboration, so I'm excited to bring these dishes to my audience beyond the screen and into the kitchens of people across the country. Each one is packed with really beautiful seasonal ingredients, featuring a variety of fruits and healthy proteins to keep you full and satisfied. They're going to be available from March 4 for the following four weeks, and two meals will be released every week. My favorite out of the eight is the Sockeye Salmon with Sweet Heat Pan Sauce. It's this delicious savory and sweet sauce, and I love salmon as you probably know. The recipes are all really high-quality, delicious, flavorful and really easy and convenient to make.

EatingWell: What does “eating well” mean to you?

Mariko: Eating well means seasonal ingredients, simple meals and healthy food.