Justin Tang • January 16, 2024

Experience mouth-watering & delicious Nikkei cuisine!

Welcome to Werqwise Side Trip, a series of videos and articles focused on exploring the areas around San Francisco and introducing you to some of our favorite spots!


Join us on our food trip to Chotto Matte, known as one of the best Nikkei restaurant in London. Chotto Matte has multiple locations around the world (UK, USA, and the Middle East).

Chotto Matte

50 O'Farrell St. San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 234-

Phone numb

5650
https://chotto-matte.com/sanfrancisco/
RSVP

Chotto Matte or ちょっと 待って translates to "wait a minute" or "wait a moment".

Chotto Matte is one San Francisco's largest rooftop restaurants, with over 22,000 square feet of both indoor and outdoor space, and 20 palm trees. This location is also Chotto Matte's largest restaurant!

Chotto Matte had their grand opening on Friday, October 20, 2023. Over 500 guests waited as long as 45-minutes to be part of the grand opening. At the grand opening, there was a Taiko drum performance, sake barrel smashing, live DJs, cocktails, and hors d'oeuvres.

While you wait for your table to be ready, stop by the bar, grab a drink, take a sip, and relax. They have a lot of drinks to choose from!

From crisp and refreshing beer, to fruity and mouth-watering cocktails, classic wines, and alcohol-free drinks from Chotto Matte's Tokyo and Peru menu.

History of Nikkei

The original meaning of "Nikkei" was actually not food-related.

"Nikkei" or "Nikkeijin" describes the Japanese emigrants and their descendants.

Fun Fact: Nikkei is also the name that refers to the Japan stock market index.

In 1899, the first 790 Japanese immigrants arrived in Peru to work in the coastal sugar plantations. The Japanese immigrants had a hard time adapting to the harsh working conditions and assimilation in Peru. They also were not paid the promised amount and fled to cities like Lima, Arequipa, and Trujillo. There, they would settle down and open up businesses, such as stores, hair salons, and restaurants.

At the time, the typical seafood dishes consisted of either bonito (affordable) and corvina/sea bass (luxurious). There wasn't really any "sushi" to be found in restaurants. The thought of eating squid or octopus did not cross the minds of Peruvians.

The start of Nikkei cusine started in two waves, according to chef-owner, Mitsuharu Tsumura, who was born in Lima, who wrote the book called "Nikkei es Peru". First, it was ceviche sashimi or octopus with olive mayo. Second, it was a sushi roll, called Acevichado roll. The Acevichado roll consisted of tempura shrimp, tuna, avocados, and waas drizzled with the blend of both leche de tigre (tiger's milk) and mayo. Acevichado roll eventually became known as the most Peruvian version of all makis.

Nikkei Cuisine

Nikkei cuisine is the fusion of Japanese and Peruvian culinary traditions, flavors, and the blending of ingredients from both cultures. As Japanese focuses on precision, freshness, and quality of ingredients. Peruvians focuses on boldness in both vibrant and spicy flavors. Together, it's the best of both worlds!

Nikkei cuisine centers around fresh fish and shellfish, due to the rich seafood traditions of both Peru and Japan. Ingredients used in Nikkei cuisine, consists of fresh ingredients native to Peru, such as corn, potatoes, aji, and limes.

Chotto Matte Ceviche

The Chotto Matte Ceviche consisted of fresh sea bass sashimi, leche de tigre, onions, chive oil, sweet potatoes, cilantro, and Peruvian corn.

The ceviche makes a great appetizer and as taste the leche de tigre (tiger's milk), your tastebuds are instantly woken up by the wonderful flavors. The leche de tigre was refreshing, tart, tangy, and sweet. The seabass sashimi was fresh, tender, and delicious.

Dragon Roll

The Dragon Roll at Chotto Matte consisted of fresh salmon, shrimp tempura, avocado, and unagi sauce.

Upon taking a bite, the rice was perfectly cooked, the salmon was fresh, and the shrimp tempura was perfectly crispy.

Conclusion

Chotto Matte is the perfect place to go, when you want to try Nikkei cuisine for the first time or when you're craving Nikkei cuisine.

Check out Chotto Matte the next time you're looking for a place for lunch, business meetings, to catch up with friends, and for celebrations.

Don't forget to make a reservation beforehand!