It's a long way from the Amazon rain forest to downtown Tokyo, and even further when it comes to food — as diners discovered at two events organized by the Brazilian Embassy earlier this month.

The official purpose was to mark the 120th anniversary of Japan's diplomatic relations with Brazil, and also to prepare for the handover of the Olympic flag from Rio de Janeiro to Tokyo. But more fundamentally, the aim was to introduce Tokyo to the remarkable cuisine of chef Alex Atala and some of the foods that have propelled his Sao Paulo restaurant, D.O.M., to global prominence.

He showcased his cooking at two events in collaboration with chef Yoshihiro Narisawa, whose eponymous restaurant in Tokyo's Aoyama district enjoys similar global renown.