For 29-year-old Nizaris Khalifa, his career at Cleopatra Kebab, a kebab and falafel shop in Tokyo, started out simply as a way to make a decent living.
Now, every weekend rain or shine, an unending rotation of Tokyoites from all walks of life congregate in front of Khalifa¡¯s place of work. Entertainers and club owners, inebriated bar patrons and Twitch-streamers alike huddle on wooden benches covered in chipped red paint enjoying the simple bliss of smoky, marinated meat and (if you¡¯re lucky) freshly fried chickpea fritters before, during or after a night of drinking.
Although the quality of his food would lead you to believe differently, Khalifa hasn¡¯t been cooking professionally for long. After moving to Japan from Tunisia eight years ago and working various jobs outside of the culinary field, he found himself in need of a change of pace and a new career.
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