Chef Sarah Madigan Gives Us The Dibs On Where To Eat In Yokohama And Tokyo

Sarah Madigan, Executive Chef at The Westin Yokohama in Japan, is as Irish as can be: she’s got a sharp sense of humour, a hearty laugh and loves feeding people. At seven, she was in charge of dessert for family lunches in Limerick, Ireland. 

From working across kitchens in Ireland (one stint also included Kildare Castle’s dining restaurant), to getting tricked into a holiday to Dubai, where her sister had interviews lined up for her, she’s had quite a food journey. 

After meeting her husband in Dubai, where she was a chef at Jumeirah Beach Hotel and had catered to the royal family, she moved to China in 2010 to join the Fairmont Peace Hotel, an iconic hotel in Shanghai built in the 1930s. In 2012, she joined Marriott International. For the past year, she has held the position of Executive Chef at Westin Yokohama – the only woman to hold the designation in Marriott International properties across Asia Pacific. 

Life In Japan

Having been in the country for over a year, Madigan loves the precision and attention to detail chefs follow in the kitchen. “In Japan, if you ask for an onion, they will find you the perfect onion. It is in their tradition and lifestyle to give you the best in everything,” she shares. 

With the terrain brimming with great produce, her cooking vision focuses on local ingredients. “We're close to the countryside and have access to high-quality Yamamori pork and wagyu beef. A guest gets to savour meat procured from around the neighbourhood, which could be down the road or from the base of Mount Fuji. “At home, I’m always rustling up fusion dishes based on local produce, different from what I am trained to do,” she signs off. 

We get some insider tips from the chef on eating around Yokohama and Tokyo.

YOKOHAMA

China Town 

The largest in Japan, it is where the night comes alive and appetites crave hot pots, Peking duck, soup dumplings, steamed buns and ramen noodles. 

Where: Central Yokohama 

Kajiya Bunzou

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The best spot in Yokohama for yakitori with counter-top seating and the famous Bunzo-yaki chicken thigh made with a blend of 18 spices. It’s fiery, she warns. 

Where: Minato Mirai, Yokohama 

Soy Not Sorry

Not a food spot, but a must-buy and visit is Yokohama Soy Sauce. Mellower in taste, they also sell variations suited for omelette rice. “They make it the same way using kind equipment and style since before World War II. The wooden vats are kind of balanced on a stick,” she tells us. At the hotel, they use the same soy sauce.

Where: 3-1-6 Matsumi-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa

TOKYO

Nakano Broadway

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A five-minute train ride to Nakano station and a short walk is anime land. From mangas, video games, to souvenirs are up for grabs. Sarah recommends taking a few lights down to the basement, which is a marketplace for local groceries. Side streets are food alleys with izakaya and food experiences.
 
Where: A short walk from Nakano Station, Tokyo