National Apr 11, 2022
Michelin-star chef collects donations for Ukraine with rice balls
The raised money will be sent to an emergency fund for Ukraine at the Japan Committee for UNICEF.
Food & Drink Sep 11, 2021
Onigiri for Love: Little packages from chefs with big hearts
by Melinda Joe
Yoshihiro Narisawa and Wagyumafia’s Hisato Hamada launched the rice ball charity project as a way to support producers in rural areas and express thanks to Japan’s health care workers.
Food & Drink | TOKYO FOOD FILE Apr 18, 2020
In the face of COVID-19, Narisawa gets busy
by Robbie Swinnerton
Restaurant Narisawa is still operating a full lunch and dinner service, albeit with generous table spacing and curtailed evening hours. But he has also formulated various menu iterations for takeout and home delivery ranging from ¥15,000 to a hefty ¥35,000 a head.
Food & Drink Nov 30, 2019
Gelinaz! Shuffle 2019: Creativity thrives when chefs stay at home
by Melinda Joe
The Grand Gelinaz! Shuffle 2019: Stay In Tour critiques the relentless travel chefs have come to view as necessary, while still maximizing global culinary exchange and creativity.
Food & Drink | KANPAI CULTURE Apr 13, 2019
Sushi M: Shaking up the world of sushi through sake pairings
by Melinda Joe
Ever since he was a young chef in his early 20s, Michimasa Nakamura has wanted to shake things up in the world of sushi. Although he cherished its craftsmanship and traditions, he felt constrained by the field's conservative way of thinking, especially in Japan, where ...
Food & Drink | TOKYO FOOD FILE Mar 16, 2019
Narisawa: Celebrating 15 years of gastronomic genius
by Robbie Swinnerton
In the closing days of 2018, there was one celebration in particular that stood out. No ordinary bōnenkai (year-end) party, this was an event held to congratulate one of Tokyo's best-known chefs, Yoshihiro Narisawa, on the 15th anniversary of his eponymous restaurant.
Food & Drink | TOKYO FOOD FILE May 19, 2018
Bees Bar by Narisawa: Restaurant’s side project is a more casual affair
by Robbie Swinnerton
After 15 years, chef Yoshihiro Narisawa's eponymous high-end restaurant in Aoyama needs no introduction or further plaudits, and nor does his innovative, superlative cuisine. But there was always one area that needed addressing: the lack of a bar inside his compact premises. Consider that handled. ...
Food & Drink Apr 21, 2018
Still eating, still writing: Robbie Swinnerton reflects on 20 years of Tokyo Food File
by Oscar Boyd
At 1,000 restaurants in, what keeps this insatiable food writer hungry?
Food & Drink Mar 31, 2018
A new generation of Japanese chefs comes to the fore at Asia's Best 50
by Robbie Swinnerton
Just as surely as spring brings blossom and fresh foliage, it also heralds the announcement of the annual Asia's 50 Best Restaurants rankings. And this year there was intense celebration by many of Japan's top chefs to match the festivities going on underneath the ...
Food & Drink Mar 4, 2016
Collaborative spirit emerges at Asia's top restaurant awards
by Robbie Swinnerton
Just about everyone loves stars, lists and rankings, when they relate to what and where we eat — and even more so when they're seasoned with a dash of national pride. And nowhere is this more evident than at the announcement ceremony for the ...
Food & Drink Feb 26, 2016
Tokyo eats the Amazon with Brazil's Alex Atala
by Robbie Swinnerton
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 ...
Business Nov 1, 2015
A luxury train dubbed Aru Ressha ("a certain train") and operated by Kyushu Railway Co. began the second phase of its service in Kyushu on Sunday. The elegant gold- and black-colored train, officially titled JR Kyushu Sweet Train, will make round-trip runs mostly on weekends between Sasebo and Nagasaki ...