Ulu u·lu [oo-loo]

noun: a short-handled knife with a broad crescent-shaped blade, traditionally used by Eskimo women.

Example: “I could filet this sockeye a lot quicker if I just had an ulu!”

The ulu was one of my first traditional Alaska purchases after moving to Juneau. Since I tend to not eat loads of veggies, I was impressed to find good use of this tool when slicing up the other important food groups: pizza, quesadillas, and peach cobbler.

Whether you live in Birmingham or Barrow, your kitchen isn’t complete unless you have an ulu on hand!

Momma at the Ulu Factory in Anchorage, Alaska.

Antler and wooden handled ulus from the Eagle River Knife Co.

chee·cha·ko [chee-chah-koh]

Noun: anyone new to Alaska.

Example: “Did you see that broad over there tryin’ to walk on the ice with those pointy toed stilettos? Cheechako!”

Not to be confused with the “Cheechako Dog” at the Spenard Roadhouse, which in my opinion is one of the best restaurants in Alaska. Their Cheechako Dog is an Alaska Reindeer Polish sausage with tomato, stone ground mustard aioli, and nuclear relish. Check out their “Polish and a Pint” special during Happy Hour (after 9pm) when you can get this beast feast for only $3 when purchasing your favorite pint of draft beer.

Want contemporary comfort food in a sassy atmosphere? Hit up the Spenard Roadhouse in Anchorage.