At Den in Tokyo, Chef Zaiyu Hasegawa serves up playful kaiseki cuisine with a twist in a relaxed, welcoming setting where every dish is a delightful surprise.
"With soy sauce, mirin and katsuo-bushi (dried bonito flakes) in hand, Zaiyu Hasegawa is spreading Japanese cuisine to the world. Generally eschewing the use of kombu, he is skilled in generating flavours through combinations of ingredients and the umami of the meat. The “Dentucky” chicken wings stuffed with steamed mochi rice are like a snack between mains. The Den team and customers come together as one to create a fun atmosphere." - Michelin Inspector
"Chef Zaiyu Hasegawa’s decision to move Den from its iconic Jimbocho address has paid off in spades. The restaurant claims two Michelin stars and the top spot in Asia on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The cooking remains innovative and satisfying, incorporating audacious, humorous ideas into Japan’s highly formalized kaiseki tradition. Expect foie gras in your appetizer and ants in your salad, along with his signature Dentucky Fried Chicken." - Yukari Sakamoto, Robbie Swinnerton
"While some miss the quiet intimacy of Den’s original location (a two-story house in the off-the-beaten-track neighborhood of Jimbocho), no one can resist the convivial charm of its new digs in central Tokyo. “I wanted to create a more family-like atmosphere, where everyone can be together,” says chef-patron Zaiyu Hasegawa of the new location. The open-plan kitchen remains the same, but instead of an eight-seat counter, there’s a long, wooden table that can seat 12—maybe more—as well as a couple of small tables." - Melinda Joe
"Den delivers a near-unmatchable trifecta of ambiance, food, and service thanks to the bold vision of chef and owner Zaiyu Hasegawa, who is renowned for his creative and exuberant approach to Japanese cuisine, emphasizing hyper-seasonal produce. Guests can expect playful yet immaculately executed dishes like Den's signature "Dentucky" fried chicken, served in a miniature KFC bucket, and gorgeous salads accompanied with smiley-shaped carrots. As an added bonus, the restaurant has a loyal mascot, Puchi Jr. (Hasegawa's cherished chihuahua), who is usually on-site to deliver greetings. - F&W Editors" - Laura Itzkowitz
"That might explain why only one restaurant in the Top 20 is from the entire continent of Asia—Tokyo’s Den at No. 20, ironic considering so much of modern fine dining pulls from Japanese kaiseki traditions." - ByAdam Reiner
