Japan

Column, Japan, Uncategorized

The Incredibles: Story of Three Chefs at respiración, Kanazawa

Stepping into the Michelin two-star Spanish restaurantrespiración in Kanazawa feels like entering a heartfelt shonen anime, complete with laughter, tears, and camaraderie. This remarkable establishment is the creation of three chefs—Keisuke Yagi, Tatsuro Ume, and their lifelong friend Yusuke Kitagawa—whose shared…

Jocelyn Chen
December 3, 2024

Asia, Column, Japan

Experiencing the Seasons of Toyama at Oryouri Fujii

In early September this year, I visited a series of “destination” restaurants in Toyama and Kanazawa, located in Japan’s Hokuriku region. Currently, there are several weekly direct flights from Shanghai to Komatsu. It is a convenient one-hour drive from Komatsu…

Jocelyn Chen
October 26, 2024

Asia, Column, Japan

Love Across Mountains and Seas: The Cuisine of Eiji Taniguchi

In my career as a culinary writer, I have had the privilege of speaking with many outstanding chefs, but my conversation with Eiji Taniguchi was unforgettable. His background and culinary journey took many unexpected turns. Immersed in the world of cooking from a young age, his initial dream was to become a chef of Japanese cuisine, but fate led him down a different path.

Jocelyn Chen
May 4, 2024

Column, Japan, Tokyo

Maths, Science and Art: How Tempura Reaches the Realm of Divine

A person who is able to do simple things to the fullest without being distracted can be called a shokunin (professional). But what is the definition of a person who goes beyond being professional? Tetsuya Saotome, the 78-year-old chef of the prestigious Japanese tempura restaurant Mikawa Zezankyo, is often referred to as one of the gods of Japanese cuisine. He has made “making tempura” a form of art, which is not only backed up by intuition but also by science.

Jocelyn Chen
January 27, 2024

France, Hotels, Italy, Japan, Paris, Thailand

The List, A New Compass

The inaugural world’s 50 best hotel list surely results in frenzy among hoteliers and luxurious experience fanatics despite the wanting of novelty in view. The palpable optimism in Guildhall to celebrate the growth of post-COVID hospitality industry in mid-September will surely continue for some while. Yet the true impact of this collective, and formative collage of accommodations elected by critiques remains uncertain.

marketing
October 14, 2023

Column, Japan

Satoyama Jujo: Niigata’s Century-old Boutique Hot Spring Hotel

Kuwakino feels closely connected to the land she treads on. For her, the pleasure of being able to pick up ingredients right from her own garden and cook them herself is unrivalled. "If I lived in the city, none of this would happen," she shares. Her farm-to-table philosophy is not just a popular style of cooking, but an emotional and philosophical approach to food.

Jocelyn Chen
September 30, 2023

Asia, Column, Hotels, Japan

Bulgari Hotel Tokyo: Unveiling Italian Elegance on the Skyline

The opening of Bulgari Hotel is a major highlight in Tokyo after the pandemic. Not only is it the first Bulgari hotel in Japan but also the 8th ‘gem’ of the Bulgari Hotel & Resorts Collection. Occupying from the 40th to the 45th floor of the Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, an ultra-skyscraper in the Yaesu 2-Chome North District, the hotel overlooks the quiet premises, fascinating history and natural environment of the lmperial Palace Gardens. From a distance, the red brick Tokyo Station and the glass-curtain building behind it may seem juxtaposed, but Bulgari Hotel seamlessly blends the fusion of Japanese traditional cultural aesthetics. It is at this moment that I visited Tokyo once again.

Jocelyn Chen
September 9, 2023

Column, Japan

A Talk with Chef Kawate: Florilège Embarks on New Journey

Tokyo's Michelin two-starred restaurant Florilège has been temporarily closed since this 20 July and will be moving to a new location. For many people, this would be a reluctant farewell to the delicious memories they have had here. At one of the most beautiful counter-style seating restaurants, Chef Hiroyasu Kawate has earned two Michelin stars for his culinary prowess and Florilège was ranked number three on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2022. Florilège has created many unforgettable flavours for its diners and is a proud flagship in bringing French cuisine to Asia.

Jocelyn Chen
August 19, 2023

Column, Japan

Narisawa: Sustainable Satoyama Cuisine That Thrives with Nature

As a world-famous French-inspired Japanese restaurant, Narisawa remains in the list of the World's 50 Best for the last consecutive 14 years. It was crowned No. 1 in the Asia's 50 Best 2013 and became the first Japanese restaurant to enter the World's 50 Best in 2015. As the soul of the restaurant, Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa has dedicated all his time and energy to the growth of Narisawa.

Jocelyn Chen
July 22, 2023

Asia, Column, Copenhagen, Japan

Noma Kyoto Speaks of The City’s Time-honoured Elegance

It's been a few years since I wrote about Noma again, and I've really thought it through. The new Noma 2.0 cookbook contains dishes spanning two seasons, evoking memories of the past. As it has for years, the restaurant explores the possibilities of a full range of ingredients, presenting the best of them conveyed through an unimaginably elaborate process that is both wild and traditional, unpretentious but time-consuming. In the spirit of Noma 2.0, the Kyoto pop-up pays true homage to the city’s profound history and diverse culture, with local approach in ingredient selection, preparation and presentation.

Jocelyn Chen
May 13, 2023

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