Hiroo: 'Nihon Ryōri Sassa'

'Nihon Ryōri Sassa' opened in Hiroo, Tokyo, on December 13, 2024. With cooking that sets itself apart from traditional kaiseki cuisine, it has earned high praise from food connoisseurs both in Japan and abroad. Entering through the entrance, a space appears that calls to mind a dignified Japanese garden. Continuing further, a wooden gate comes into view, leading to an entryway reminiscent of a high-end traditional restaurant. Opening the wooden gate, a single-slab counter of dazzling white wood appears before your eyes…… Head chef Sasa dreamed of becoming a chef since childhood, and after graduating from culinary school, honed his skills at a well-known sushi restaurant and Japanese restaurants. He then moved to Shanghai, China, where for eight years he ran a Japanese restaurant as both managing director and head chef.

I've always valued the idea of not wasting ingredients, not forcing their use, and using every edible part to the fullest. I want people to enjoy the deliciousness and aroma of freshly made food. 'Ten years from now, I'd like to open an auberge somewhere in the regions — a restaurant with lodging where a chef can really show off their skill using local ingredients,' he says with passion.