Chef Kawasaki Ichoku, Nigerian Culinary Maestro discusses Blending Japanese Flavour With Nigerian Igbo Heritage

In the heart of Nigeria’s capital Abuja, a young entrepreneur is quietly redefining culinary experiences by merging cultures on a plate. Born and raised in Lagos Nigeria and proudly bearing a Japanese name, Chef Kawasaki Ichoku is not your typical chef. He is a visionary whose journey from a chemical engineering graduate to a self-taught gourmet chef isn’t anything but extraordinary

“My name is Kawasaki Ichoku, first son of my father who happens to be a traditional ruler and also an industrialist from the East. Eze Mike Williams Ichoku,” he began in an interview. “My father once lived in Japan, that was where he adopted some of their culture and became fond of them and decided to bear his kids Japanese names that was how I came about the name Kawasaki. Few months after I decided to kickstart my career as a Chef one of my closest friends Obiciaga gave me the idea of specializing in Nigerian and Japanese cuisine since I’m Nigerian and bearing a Japanese name. That was how I came about the idea specializing in Nigeria and Japanese cuisine as a chef. Having trained in several restaurants in Abuja I decided to set up a cloud kitchen called chef Kawasaki’s kitchen. I thank God for the wisdom to obey and follow the career path that God had chosen for me.”

A graduate of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Uli, Anambra state. Ichoku holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. Yet, it was his innate talent for cooking and his cultural heritage that pulled him into the culinary world. “I’ve always had it in me to cook,” he revealed. “But I wasn’t taking it seriously I use to cook for my friends, family and loved ones until one day my dad called me an said
,do you realize cooking is where your talent lies?’ Cause it’s something i just know to do without learning and no matter how hard the condition or situation I find myself cooking in, the food always comes out perfect even when I do it effortlessly.

Ichoku credits his grandmother—who once owned a restaurant—for passing down the entrepreneurial spirit, while his drive comes from passion and purpose. “There’s a saying that the Igbo’s are naturally blessed with the knowledge of business. cause i really can’t explain how I found
Myself doing what I’m currently doing, the drive for entrepreneurship just came upon me. I thank God for the choice I made and the decisions I took to follow my passion and harness my talents. I saw it was a gift from God and I decided to take it seriously.”

Despite facing multiple setbacks, including relocating his kitchen three times within six months in Abuja, he has remained undeterred. “Experience is the best teacher. These experiences have made me wiser, stronger, and more resilient,” he said.

Today, his business, Chef Kawasaki’s Kitchen, is gaining recognition for its bold fusion of Nigerian ingredients with Japanese culinary techniques. From sushi to ramen, egg fried rice, party Jellof rice, stir fried noodles, burgers, shawarma, healthy salads, pastas etc…the chef’s creations are both authentic and innovative. “Having to cook and serve prestigious people and seeing my dreams become reality are among my proudest moments,” I also love the fact that everyone around me loves what I do. Everyone literally gets excited whenever they hear am a chef he said.

Describing the rapid growth of his brand, Ichoku shared, “One of the biggest milestones for me has been ‘speed’—and I’m forever grateful to God for the grace for speed.”

At the core of his business are values of integrity and customer satisfaction, and while he has not yet engaged in philanthropy, he hints it’s only a matter of time. His leadership style? In his own words, simply, I’m more of a pioneer the one who goes ahead and create a path way for others to follow.

Chef Kawasaki draws daily inspiration from reading the bible, reading financial literacy Books, Praying, watching YouTube cooking videos, balancing business and life with finesse. Chef Kawasaki, is a Nigerian-born, Japanese-named, self-taught culinary maestro with a passion for creating unforgettable gourmet experiences,” he says of his brand. “Our mission is to introduce Nigerians to a world of Japanese-infused cuisine with a local twist.”

As his influence continues to grow, Chef Kawasaki Ichoku stands as a symbol of cultural fusion, self-discovery, and culinary excellence—proof that the fire of purpose can turn talent into triumph.