PRETORIA, South Africa — Japanese Ambassador Shigeru Shimizu hosted South African media personality Nick Hamman and Marion Smith for a culinary evening showcasing washoku, Japan’s traditional cuisine, at a private dining experience in Pretoria.
The meal was crafted by renowned Chef Imada, who prepared a seasonal menu featuring a variety of classic dishes including sanshumori — a tasting plate of fried chicken gizzards, grilled brinjal, and chilled tofu garnished with dried sardines and green onion — as well as chawanmushi (a savoury steamed egg custard), tempura, sushi, and miso soup.
To conclude the evening, Ambassador Shimizu prepared and served matcha tea alongside traditional Japanese confections, including kuri chakin wagashi, a chestnut-based sweet.
Chef Imada described his cooking as a form of “omotenashi,” the spirit of Japanese hospitality rooted in anticipating the needs of guests and serving with sincerity. Each dish, he said, was adjusted with personal care to reflect the tastes of those at the table.
