Japanese cuisine chef

わしょくちょうりにん

Industry & Occupation

Tourism, Hospitality & Leisure

Classification

Summary

Specialist who prepares Japanese cuisine using traditional ingredients and techniques, emphasizing dashi, knife handling, and plating.

Description

Japanese cuisine chefs have thorough knowledge of seasonal and regional ingredients, employing skills such as dashi preparation and knife work to cook sashimi, tempura, grilled items, steamed dishes, and more. They also handle menu planning, procurement, inventory management, and hygiene control, paying meticulous attention to plating and tableware selection. In the kitchen, they collaborate with other cooking staff to offer diverse styles such as banquets, course meals, and set meals, aiming to enhance guest satisfaction.

Future Outlook

Japanese cuisine remains popular both domestically and internationally, with demand increasing alongside inbound tourism growth. However, labor shortages due to declining birthrates and aging population, as well as successor shortages, pose challenges, necessitating the development of new Japanese cuisine styles that leverage sustainability and local ingredients.

Personality Traits

Cooperative / Excellent aesthetic sense / Methodical / Patient / Physically strong

Work Style

Contract employee / Full-time / Full-time employee / Independent operation / Shift work

Career Path

Apprentice Japanese cuisine chef → Itamae → Head chef (kitchen chef) → Store manager / general manager → Independent operation

Required Skills

Dashi making / Hygiene management / Knife skills / Plating / Seafood preparation

Recommended Skills

Foreign languages / Kitchen management / Knowledge of seasonal ingredients / Menu development

Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)

Item Description
Attention to Detail & Accuracy High precision is needed for knife work, flavor adjustments, and similar tasks.
Creativity & Ideation Creativity is required for menus and plating, incorporating seasonal awareness and aesthetic sense.
Learning Agility & Knowledge Acquisition Acquisition of ingredient knowledge and cooking techniques is essential.
Physical Stamina & Endurance Involves long hours of standing and carrying heavy ingredients.
Stress Tolerance Pressure during rush hours is significant.
Collaboration & Teamwork Cooking with multiple people and collaboration is indispensable.

Related Qualifications

  • Cooking license
  • Cooking technician (Japanese cuisine division)
  • Food hygiene manager

Aliases

  • Chef
  • Itamae
  • Japanese cuisine artisan

Related Jobs

  • Chinese cuisine chef
  • Italian cuisine chef
  • Licensed cook
  • Patissier
  • Sushi chef

Tags

Keywords