Teruzushi, Kitakyushu: Dinner with Aoki-san and Kyo – Tagged "" – Knives and Stones

Kitakyushu, Fukuoka · Teruzushi

One of the most exotic meals I have ever had: Teruzushi in Kitakyushu with Aoki-san and Kyo in 2018, then the chef’s Sydney pop-up four years later.

Kitakyushu; Sydney · 11 November 2018; 2 and 3 November 2022

I already knew of Teruzushi’s chef when I asked Aoki-san about him. Aoki-san promptly told me that Teruzushi was his customer and offered to meet us in Kitakyushu for dinner. So I flew into Fukuoka, and on 11 November 2018 I ended up at the chef’s own restaurant with Aoki-san and Kyo.

The counter was the centre of the meal. The chef stood close, with the ingredients and his knives in front of him: a blade held out in its wooden sheath, a large section of tuna lifted towards us, then the cutting board and the food being prepared.

At Teruzushi’s Kitakyushu counter, 11 November 2018.

A knife presented across the counter during the same visit.

There was plenty of performance, but you could also watch the work: the board, the cut surfaces and the chef’s hands.

It was certainly one of the most exotic meals I have ever had: great food and great entertainment. Dinner was over ¥40,000 per person in 2018, and this was not Ginza. Kitakyushu felt quite remote compared with most of the places we visit.

Four years later, the chef brought the same style of presentation to a pop-up at Oborozuki in Sydney.

Sydney, November 2022

In 2022 he came to Sydney for a pop-up at Oborozuki. At that meal there was a large fish held up in front of the counter, a lobster, tuna ready for preparation and a finished piece of nigiri presented in the hand.

He also visited Knives and Stones. Two people stood in front of the shop’s knife displays, each holding a long blade.