A toast at a table in a glamorous restaurant. Now, a new choice has been added to that moment.

“Wine or Kohodo?”

We envision a future where this question is asked as naturally as any other in the world’s finest restaurants. Moving away from the compromise of choosing a non-alcoholic drink simply by process of elimination, we move toward a supreme glass that is chosen precisely because it is the best option.

This series of interviews features professionals who resonate with this vision and are shaping the future of gastronomy.

For our fourth installment, we head to “Sukiyaki Nakagawa” in Hong Kong, where they share Japanese food culture far from home. We spoke with Head Chef Kazuyuki Itagaki about his passion for serving Japanese cuisine in Hong Kong and his reasons for choosing Kohodo.

#04 Sukiyaki Nakagawa

Sharing the Wonders of Japan from Hong Kong

—— Could you share your passion for delivering Japanese cuisine in Hong Kong?

I believe every Japanese person harbors a desire to share our wonderful food culture with the world. We want to convey firmly just how many magnificent things our country has to offer.

The same can be said for ginger ale. Because there is a truly high-quality, authentic product, we are able to leave Japan and enjoy sharing its appeal here in Hong Kong. It would make me happy if people back in Japan could see this and feel, “It’s being loved like this overseas.”

"Delicious" is the Gateway to Everything

—— Why did you choose "Kohodo"?

The deciding factor was, first and foremost, that it is delicious.
Beyond that, the commitment and passion of the makers are tangible. It is crafted through meticulous handiwork, and the stories and sentiments behind it really shine through.

With a product that solid, we can offer our guests more than just a flavor; we can also convey the passion invested by those who make it and those who deliver it.

I believe that by delivering not just the sensation of “deliciousness,” but the story behind it, it will resonate more deeply in the hearts of our customers. We want to provide a time where they can take home the experience of being moved by the thought, “Japan truly has such wonderful things.”

That is why I wanted to choose Kohodo.

Delivering Deliciousness from the Customer's Perspective

—— How would you like your customers to enjoy it?

Our customers are truly diverse.

There are those who are accustomed to high-quality dining on a daily basis, young customers visiting a formal restaurant for the first time on a special occasion, and those celebrating milestones with their loved ones. Regardless of the guest, our goal is to deliver an experience that truly moves them with the sensation of “delicious.”

Through this ginger ale, I hope they are surprised and delighted by an authentic depth and flavor of ginger that exceeds their expectations.

Giving Non-Alcoholic Drinks a "Core"

—— How do you feel about the vision of “Wine or Kohodo?”

I believe the demand for non-alcoholic options is increasing year by year.

As the range of non-alcoholic choices grows, I sense that more people are looking for drinks with greater depth to pair with their meals. I have long felt that there should be a core element within the non-alcoholic category.

Drinks like Kohodo’s ginger ale fit that description.

I look forward to continuing to incorporate such products as an essential piece of the dining experience.

Sukiyaki Nakagawa

〒630-8266
Shop B, 3/F, 1 Hoi Ping Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
https://linktr.ee/Sukiyakinakagawa