Chef Shota Nakajima reopened his casual Capitol Hill restaurant, Taku, today, May 5, nearly one year after closing it due to the pandemic. Nakajima has simplified and recreated Taku’s menu to feature his favorite childhood food—karaage—also known as Japanese fried chicken.
I interviewed the Top Chef season 18 contestant and three-time James Beard Award semi-finalist Shota Nakajima about his journey, desire to help rebuild Capitol Hill’s community, his passion for pickled bamboo shoots, and of course, the reopening of his restaurant and bar Taku. The transcript below is lightly edited for length and clarity.
Rebecca / Seattleite: I like to start interviews with a little bit of an icebreaker.
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