Kitaura Zenryoumaru
きたうら善漁。

Zenbei Yoshida, the owner of Kitakura Zenryomaru, was born in Kitaura, Miyazaki as the son of a fisherman.

Growing up in a self-sufficient household, his father would share the fish he caught with nearby farmers, receiving vegetables in return. His mother would cook the vegetables while his father prepared the fish, and the whole family would enjoy hearty meals together.

Chef Yoshida followed in his father’s footsteps and pursued a career in fishing. He was then inspired by the simple joy of eating delicious rice balls on the boat while watching the sunrise. These culinary experiences slowly led him to pursue the path of a chef.

As a chef, his code of valuing the ingredients used his cuisine resulted in him being awarded the Bronze Award from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries’ “MASTERS” program. This established his presence in the world of Japanese cuisine.

Chef Yoshida utilizes his experience as a fisherman, the cooking of his parents which he ate every day since birth, and the natural surroundings of his hometown, as his mentors. “I want people to enjoy the nature of the region in which I was born and raised. True cooking is doing only what is necessary together with nature.”

And so guests are requested to dine in silence at Kitaura Zenryomaru.
It is similar to “Zen”. If imperfection is beauty, then a dining experience should not be viewed as a paid service (a master/servant relationship), but rather as a unified experience between the host and the guest in order to find true ‘beauty’ and culinary satisfaction.

Chef Yoshida explains that the reason for minimizing conversation and explanations of the cuisine during the meal is so that guests can come face to face with nature in silence. It is his hope that they are able to hear the voice of the natural ingredients through their sixth sense, rather than through his verbal explanations.

By adhering to the laws of nature during your time at Kitaura Zenryomaru, we are sure you will be able to learn something important about the food.