Toranomon Sorahana

Sorahana’s title translates literally to “sky flower”, as a sort of literary representation of the importance of nature and seasonality in Japanese cuisine. The deliciousness of Japanese cuisine is almost entirely dependent on natural ingredients, says head chef and owner Wakimoto Kanako. For instance, whitefish must be eaten in precisely the right season. If they grow too much, their skin becomes too tough; if they are caught at the wrong time, their fat content is not high enough. Vegetables, likewise, must be harvested at precisely the right time when they are ripest and most full of flavor. “We have to make these choices carefully, so as to respect the life that is offered to us,” Chef Wakimoto says. Originally hailing from Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu, Chef Wakimoto initially studied to be a nutritionist before deciding to become a chef. She trained for several years at the legendary three-Michelin-starred Kanda in Toranomon — perhaps foreshadowing her return to the area where she would eventually open her own restaurant. Formerly located for many years in a refurbished house in the the Kamakura seaside, Sorahana relocated to its current Toranomon location in 2020, taking its new location as part of its name. Buoyed by an already stellar reputation, it swiftly drew the attention of Tokyo’s food critics, and was subsequently awarded a Michelin Star in 2022, just two years after opening. While the gently rustling Kamakura forests have been replaced by the urban scene of Toranomon, Sorahana’s cuisine is still top-notch: at her six-seat counter just a minute's walk from Kamiyacho Station, Chef Wakimoto still serves menus that use an abundance of ingredients from the Kamakura and Shonan regions, such as deep-fried turban shells and splendid alfonsino (kinmedai). For a sweet finish, Chef Wakimoto offers a stunning array of desserts to choose from, ranging from jelly to her signature sake lees cheesecake. Just like the rest of her menu, the dessert selection also changes with the season — in summer, for instance, many guests eagerly look forward to her rendition of a traditional favorite: shaved ice, or kakigori. Michelin Guide: 2022 - 1 Michelin Star