Our Founding Story

The first Japanese meal we ate upon returning to Japan from overseas. The moment we took that first bite, we were enveloped in an emotion so profound it couldn't be put into words. It was a sensation that went beyond just "delicious" – a feeling that stirred our very souls. We knew then that we wanted to share this deep appreciation we felt for Japanese home cooking with people all over the world.

We both have experience studying abroad. While living overseas, we became strongly aware of our identity as Japanese. Whenever local friends asked us about Japan, we enthusiastically talked about Japanese culture, history, and, of course, Japanese food. However, we keenly felt the difficulty of conveying the true appeal of Japanese food through words alone. For example, the delicate flavor of dashi, the deep, complex richness (koku) of miso and soy sauce, the multitude of dishes that make the most of seasonal ingredients... Their true wonder can only be understood by actually tasting them.

This very challenge—wanting to truly articulate the depth we felt—ignited a new passion within us after returning to Japan. It wasn't enough just to feel it; we wanted to understand it more deeply to effectively share its essence. We dedicated ourselves to formally studying the rich history and culture surrounding Japanese home cooking, exploring the 'why' behind the techniques and traditions. We paid special attention to the foundational elements, the basics of Japanese food, particularly the heart of its flavor: dashi. This dedicated study and desire to master the fundamentals led us to achieve official Dashi Meister certification, equipping us with specialized knowledge to properly share the secrets of authentic umami and the profound role dashi plays in Japanese cuisine.

Therefore, in our cooking classes, we aim to do more than just teach recipes. We want to convey:

The culture and history behind Japanese food,
A sense of gratitude towards ingredients,
And the pure joy of cooking itself.
Through Japanese food, we aspire to communicate the richness of Japanese culture and the spirit of the Japanese people to everyone around the globe. Our activities may only be a small step. But we truly believe that this step can enrich the dining tables of people worldwide and serve as a bridge connecting Japan and the world.

Won't you join us in spreading the wonder of Japanese food to the world together?

Ryota Okonogi

Older Brother / System Engineer / Former Elementary School Teacher / Instructor & Certified Dashi Meister

Through my experiences studying abroad and working as an elementary school teacher, my desire to "share the deliciousness of Japanese food with more people!" grew stronger. Japanese cuisine—encompassing not only its taste but also its visual beauty, seasonality, and consideration for health—is a culture Japan can proudly share with the world.

To truly share its depth effectively, after returning to Japan, I dove deeper into understanding the 'why' behind the deliciousness. I dedicated time to formally studying the history, culture, and basics of Japanese food, focusing especially on foundational elements like dashi. This passion for understanding the core led me to obtain official Dashi Meister certification. Now, armed with both practical experience and deeper knowledge, I'm even more excited to explore these facets with you.

Through this online cooking class, I'm excited to rediscover the charms of Japanese food together with all of you and share an enjoyable time!

Background :
・Born in 1998
・Played baseball for 15 years
・Elementary School Teacher (3 years)
・System Engineer
・Certified Dashi Meister

University:
・Studied abroad at Mahidol University in Thailand
・Graduated from the Faculty of Education, Chiba University

Part-time Jobs:
・Bartender
・Baker
・Staff at a Meat Bar (Niku Baru)

Hobbies:
・Motorcycles
・Snowboarding
・Sauna
・Golf

Syunta Okonogi

Younger Brother / University Student / Instructor & Communicator Sharing the Charm and Accessibility of Japanese Food Worldwide

Through my experiences overseas, I became convinced that "Japanese food can bring smiles to people all over the world!" However, I also learned that many people perceive Japanese food as 'difficult' or 'requiring special ingredients and tools.' My role involves tackling this perception head-on, both by actively teaching practical Japanese home cooking in our online classes and by managing our social media presence. Through direct instruction and online engagement, I aim to share the wonders and accessibility of Japanese food globally.

To effectively teach and communicate this accessibility, I realized I needed a deeper understanding myself. Inspired by my experiences, I dove into learning more about Japanese food – the culture and the basics. I focused particularly on understanding core principles to find ways to simplify techniques and make authentic flavors achievable, even without special tools or ingredients. This exploration allows me to confidently guide you as an instructor, making Japanese home cooking approachable and genuinely fun.

In our online cooking classes, where I teach alongside my brother, my goal is to overturn that 'difficult' image and prove that "Anyone, anywhere, can easily make delicious Japanese food!" Beyond teaching skills, I strongly desire to connect people around the world with Japanese people and culture. Specifically, I envision our classes becoming lively spaces for interaction, where we share about our respective cultures and foster mutual understanding, sparked by the joy of cooking together.

Background:
・Born in 2002
・Played baseball for 7 years
・Table tennis for 9 years

University:
・Currently studying at the School of Management, Tokyo University of Science

Part-time Jobs:
・Restaurant Kitchen Staff
・Izakaya Staff
・Table Tennis Coach

Hobbies:
・Cooking, Sauna
・Traveling around the world
・Golf
・Snowboarding

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