In the closing days of 2018, there was one celebration in particular that stood out. No ordinary ²ú¨­²Ô±ð²Ô°ì²¹¾± (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.

These days, Narisawa and his groundbreaking, genre-crossing cuisine need no introduction. His iconic restaurant, tucked away in Tokyo¡¯s plush, upmarket Aoyama district, has become an essential port of call for visiting gastronomes and is rightfully included in numerous lists of the world¡¯s top dining spots.

On top of his game: Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa, recent recipient of the prestigious Grand Prize of Culinary Arts
On top of his game: Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa, recent recipient of the prestigious Grand Prize of Culinary Arts | COURTESY OF NARISAWA