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Japanese chef Seiji Yamamoto crowned ‘American Express Icon Award’ winner
Chef Seiji Yamamoto is praised for being detail-oriented in his creations and his talent in handling Japanese seasonal ingredients.
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Japanese chef Seiji Yamamoto runs the award-winning Nihonryori RyuGin restaurant in Tokyo. (Asia's 50 Best Restaurants /File)
Japanese chef Seiji Yamamoto has been named winner of the inaugural American Express Icon Award.
Designed to acknowledge individuals whose contribution to cuisine deserves global recognition, the American Express Icon Award is the latest award added to the 2019 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Born in Kagawa prefecture, the founder of award-winning Nihonryori RyuGin restaurant in Japan is known for being detail-oriented in his creations. Combining Japanese delicacies with a modern technique, Yamamoto is among the most sought-after figures for kaiseki cuisine. According to the award’s website, kaiseki refers to a series of small, detailed dishes that pay attention to color, texture, temperature and taste.
“Japanese cuisine is a way of celebrating the richness of our culture and the beauty of our natural environment,” said Yamamoto in an official statement, while expressing his gratitude for being named winner. “I will continue to innovate and introduce Japanese culture and culinary traditions to diners from around the world.”
Read also: These are the 50 best restaurants in Asia
Yamamoto will receive the award at the seventh annual Asia’s Best 50 Restaurants awards on March 26 at Wynn Palace in Macau. The decision was based on votes from over 300 members of the 2019 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy.
Having studied kaiseki for over 10 years, Yamamoto opened the 18-seat Nihonryori RyuGin in 2003 in Roppongi district, Tokyo, and then relocated to the Midtown Hibiya development also in Tokyo in 2018. The restaurant ranked 41st in the 2018 World’s 50 Best Restaurants and has been listed in the top 10 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for six consecutive years.
Yamamoto also established Tenku RyuGin in Hong Kong and Shoun Ryugin in Taiwan in 2012. The restaurants were listed in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2014 and 2018, respectively.
“Seiji Yamamoto is a worthy recipient of the inaugural American Express Icon Award,” said William Drew, group editor of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. “Throughout his distinguished career, he has inspired many with his perfectionism, talent and boundary-pushing creativity.” (wir/mut)
