155: Local flavors, global impact: Noma returns to Japan

Rene Redzepi’s groundbreaking restaurant Noma is known as one of the world’s best, so it came as a huge shock last year when he announced he would be shutting it down in 2024 — at least in its current form. The Danish chef and a team of over 100 have currently descended on Kyoto to create a culinary experience that has become one of the hottest tickets on the planet. Japan Times food critic Robbie Swinnerton joins us this week to discuss Noma, the Kyoto pop-up and where fine dining goes from here. 

Hosted by Jason Jenkins and produced by Dave Cortez.

On this episode: 

Jason Jenkins: Articles | Twitter | Instagram

Robbie Swinnerton: Articles | Twitter | Instagram

Read more/Hear more: 

At Noma Kyoto, chef Rene Redzepi plants ‘seeds’ for the future (Robbie Swinnerton, The Japan Times)

Noma sets sights on Kyoto, and diners bite in droves (Robbie Swinnerton, The Japan Times)

Noma, rated the world’s best restaurant, is closing its doors (Julia Moskin, The New York Times)

Redzepi: 'I think the restaurant staff in Japan are some of the best on Earth' (Robbie Swinnerton, The Japan Times)

Thomas Frebel — a top chef in a city of stars (Oscar Boyd, Deep Dive from The Japan Times)

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Photo: A colorful noren (traditional Japanese fabric curtain) hangs above the entrance to Noma Kyoto, separating it from the Ace Hotel. | PHOTO BY KOTARO TANAKA