New Nordic Food goes to Japan

The Japanese are renowned for their love of food, and it is no coincidence that Tokyo holds more Michelin stars than any other city in the world. The Japanese also have a strong interested in Nordic Design and Lifestyle and the rise of the Nordic Star chefs and restaurants have caused a sharp rise in the Japanese interest also in New Nordic food.

Many of the ideas behind New Nordic Food share similarities with Japanese food culture, as for example the use of local and seasonal ingredients. To foster further food related exchanges between Japan and the Nordic countries, the five Nordic Embassies in Tokyo want to bring New Nordic Food to Japan this October.

Nordic Cooking Master Class

Five star chefs from the five Nordic countries will be invited to Tokyo to take part in the event. Besides a press-event for the Japanese press, the chefs will all be provided with an opportunity to talk at the prestigious Hattori Nutrition College led by the charismatic Yukio Hattori, known abroad from the IRON Chef TV show. This event will be open to Japanese professional chefs who want to learn a little about what’s cooking in the far North.

“By teaming up with the famous Hattori Nutrition College, we secure that the level of chefs who get an opportunity to see and meet the Nordic Chefs is as high as it can be. Yukiko Hattori is huge celebrity in Japan and having him on board the project is really a unique asset for the project.” – Mikko Koivumaa, Embassy of Finland Tokyo and one of the 5 project members.

Nordic Star Chefs meets Japanese Star Chefs

The Nordic chefs will get a unique opportunity to work with some of Japan’s top chefs for a one-night only special dinner at five different top restaurants. The restaurants range from one to three Michelin stars and they are all innovative in their approach to cooking and interest in New Nordic Food movement.

Each of the Nordic chefs will be paired with a Japanese counterpart and together they’ll create a unique menu for one-night only. In the Japanese tea-ceremony, there is a concept called ichi-go ichi-e, literally “one time, one meeting” – the idea that any tea ceremony will only happen once in a lifetime. The food prepared for this special collaboration dinner will be the same. There is only one chance to savour some of the best of the Nordic Region and the best of Japan, but at five different locations.

Both Koji Shimomura from Édition Koji Shimomura and Shinobu Namae from L’Effervescence have so far agreed to take part in the event, and the final selection of Japanese collaboration restaurants will be announced a little closer to the event.

All the Nordic embassies are collaborating on bringing New Nordic Food to Tokyo, making this a unique collaboration project between Nordic countries abroad. The project is made possible with funding provided by Nordic Innovation.

For further details please contact Jens H. Jensen, Royal Danish Embassy at jensje@um.dk