How a Master Sushi Chef Brought His Father's Octopus Recipe to NYC - Omakase

At NYC’s Nakaji, third-generation sushi chef Kunihide Nakajima crystallizes his family’s legacy through the food he serves. Using lessons learned from his father, Nakajima serves dishes with ingredients like melon, octopus, whelk, eel, and more.
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Credits:
Producer: Pelin Keskin
Director: Murilo Ferreira
Camera: Murilo Ferreira, Michael Latchman
Editor: Charlotte Carpenter
Interpreter: Ayako Kaneyoshi
Executive Producer: Stephen Pelletteri
Development Producer: Ian Stroud
Supervising Producer: Stefania Orrù
Associate Producer: Julia Hess
Audience Development: Terri Ciccone, Frances Dumlao, Avery Dalal
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[@WhalesGawd]

This is one of the few chefs on this series that doesn't seem so mystic. He's just a normal dude who has an amazing talent.

[@deviskanyes]

Almost cried watching this ... such a dedicated chef Honoring his father's legacy ,passionate in his work and has a prefect attitude and humor. beautiful video.

[@sunnyschramm9650]

lol xD

[@markbailey6230]

@@sunnyschramm9650 I did cry while watching this! very powerful...

[@LibraMiku271]

A chef not looking for fame or glory. A true outstanding gentleman who is maintaining not only his family traditions, but his father's legacy to be known not just in Japan but to the world. The meal is well prepared with respect and kindness as well as showing his vibrant personality to his guest. Truly an amazing presentation showing a loving son honoring and remembering his father in the kitchen. This one's going in the books

[@lukthere2]

Damn what a wholesome episode. And the father's deba knife is so cool - what a beautiful way to honor him!

[@dangoleeeeyoooomannnn6531]

So far one of a favorite chefs thus far ! I love his attitude and how he pays respect to his father and his teachings. I also enjoy that he displays his fathers knife

[@gizelletilanduca8920]

The chef is so chatty! I love it! I could listen to him for hours. Without the subtitles, I honestly wouldn't understand a thing he is saying but just from his overall vibes I can say that he is passionate with what he is doing. He is so fun to watch, I was smiling the whole time. His story about his family esp. his dad was touching too. This is my favorite video of the omakase series so far.

[@lorabrock]

I love this chef's attitude!

[@Micazer]

Same!

[@kreliss2245]

Perfecr balance between passion, humor and dedication!

[@theafterlife7224]

He start since he was 6 years old. Lol.

[@biologyenableswhatculturep1497]

I don't

[@rihamkarim3644]

yea especially the way it's so fun for him to kill and play with alive seafood lol but i mean Sushi is great whatever they make is good but still, have some respect for life.

[@dugjay]

The dedication this chef has for the tradition of his craft and more so for his father is unparalled. Bravo.

[@christinemcdonald8705]

The passion and enthusiasm he has for what he’s doing is amazing. It really shows in his food.

[@pinstripeowl]

Great video - the chef was very charismatic and loved how informative he was on his processes and decision making

[@gilbertahsam643]

Your father is watching you in the sprit . when putting food on the dishes your fingers shows your fathers ways. Your father always showed a perfect way to his customers when giving the food.

[@amobarkad4228]

I’m sorry but I have to comment again. I can’t stop thinking about how truly beautiful this man’s character was bought out in this video. This is literally my fave KZbin video now and i Never thought I’d say this. I mean just the way he is moving like almost a ballet of sushi making in the last minutes with the pure elegance music coming on at the right moment to end it. JUST PERFECT AND BEAUTIFUL.

[@GtheGeneral]

The way he honored his father with his cooking was touching you can tell he misses him bravo 👏

[@aldeaalexandru8902]

What a great video! I am sure that his father, wherever he is, is proud of this fantastic man, chef, and legacy bearer. The only thing that upsets me is that I will never have the chance to visit and meet him face to face and eat his unique dishes. I am sure that would have been an amazing experience.

[@martincarlson9819]

Why not? life is long, you might have a trip to nyc some day if you want it

[@jtorola]

@Your Wrong exactly. No melon is that much better than a local one

[@aldeaalexandru8902]

lol, I wasn't talking about the melon.

[@alexanderchan3762]

he is amazing in real life, a must try when you are in new york

[@rysha101]

What a beautiful story, I'm sure his father would be quite proud seeing this.

[@simarker6693]

I love the quality of the video how it was filmed and edited... it gave soul to the work and it truly shows how the people behind this wants to honor the chefs work and story

[@lorkydj2382]

Dude is so cool with the shooting staff. 🙌🏼

[@fitz394]

I love this guy.

[@MrShaDeZ98]

This whole video was like a beautiful poem

[@JalapenoDNA]

Thank you for sharing his story. Loved it.

[@wolfingitdown2047]

I like how he took the time to let everyone try to the octopus

[@lukemoody7397]

Thank you for making these videos. The cheffing community appreciates you.

[@ArielK1987]

It's truly amazing how the Japanese sushi can look so easy and yet be so technical to make at the same time.

[@Mindlick]

so profound. family is everything. loved it

[@jacksak]

This is a great video, especially hearing how much it meant for the father to transfer knowledge to the son.

[@anndebaldo7381]

What a beautiful honoring of your father. He helped to make you the great chef that you are. Thank you for sharing...your family will be remembered through you. ATB

[@boesdi3908]

Passionate about the food..passing generation.. respect

[@SchlumiBenLuschi]

A story worth telling and remembering.

[@amobarkad4228]

very soul touching. this was a beautiful one.

[@billygarcia7304]

This is a truly respectful chef...to his father his roots and his profession..

[@monsterhand]

Congratulations chef! You're amaziny talented, humble, and respectful. Cheers to you for many years of success to come!

[@danielfong9243]

i ate here last time i was in NYC. My first omakase experience and it was awesome. everything. food, ambiance etc. 100% recommend going. i will def be back!

[@fabiomakaveli]

What is the name of this spot? Thanks in advance

[@danielfong9243]

@@fabiomakaveli Nakaji

[@Boollish]

I ate here about 4 weeks ago. In my 5 day trip to NYC, which included many places with Michelin stars, his snails stood at the top as the best thing I ate all week. Incredible use of fresh product.

[@richkretzschmar7170]

Precision seems to be part of the quality process here. I'm sure that reflects in the foods flavors.

[@floraguo2525]

We love you! Nakajima san - Eric and Flora🍓🍓🍓🥂🥂🥂

[@AdySeifer]

Amazing series

[@relaxingnaturetribe]

It`s great to watch the master at work.

[@bodyandsoulinconstanttrans9190]

what a love energy this master has! Hail Chef-San

[@JohnHausser]

Respect this chef Cheers from San Diego California

[@thedeeprot]

*NEED SUSHI NOW* 🔥

[@faafafineartist]

This one was an emotional one. Beautiful.

[@larrylongprong5219]

Great series! 👍👍👍

[@Clyde0224]

Amazing. My most favorite Japanese restaurant in NYC.

[@bidin5253]

Really love this chef

[@davidwise3573]

It is a true blessing to be looked on by your parents but also to be taught by them

[@BGRUBBIN]

A true chef through and through!

[@FaroushJinal]

This really hyped me up for my upcoming reservation. Sweet!!

[@healthystepsforward]

This was really cool to watch.

[@gostavoadolfos2023]

So beautiful so delicious and so moving ❤ I hope his kids will carry on this marvelous family heritage talent and spirit.

[@wolfdenengelse]

love this

[@sebisebster3787]

this man is great!

[@jamalthenoblenerd6963]

3:22 HMMM!! 👺 😂🔥🔥

[@sats87]

Amazing! Very cool chef kind and funny

[@Adriftingleaf]

My guy spitting straight facts all day. What a stand up chef.

[@kevindonnelly9811]

This one was so good!

[@spyhunter1]

what an episode!

[@nicolamobilio8499]

Amazing

[@DatHoodCook]

Awesome story!

[@skateboarding3007]

the eyebrows 💪🏼😳

[@ivanleonel7187]

amazing

[@rankang2194]

Absolutely beautiful

[@calrndown]

Not gonna lie, teared up a bit.

[@cebulinestv]

that melon is gold 🤣

[@lesleylock5769]

This was so beautiful

[@Galshaer]

I like the way he talks

[@coreyshelman]

Just as the chef said this video will preserve the legacy of his family.

[@Gamezmodz444]

So good

[@juicy_clams]

Inspiring.

[@WaXambe]

Inspirational

[@cg2007]

Very Proud of You

[@LeilanosEUA]

Nakaji is the best !!

[@greatwhitenorth3717]

Like so many videos before I find it entirely compelling: someone dedicates their life to doing something singularly well and it is pure perfection. You just know it is going to be good. I have huge respect for that.

[@thomasstengel7356]

Prepared well, octopus is freaking delicious. I love to prep it sous vide and finish on the grill. The smell of the long sous vide isn't great. But, the results are worth having to open some windows.

[@PeterParker-jm4dc]

First 12 seconds impressed me enough and i am sushi chef

[@miyasanto]

独特の食文化がある日本に生まれたことに感謝。 そして職人としてその文化を遺し継いでいかれる方々を尊敬します。 何度も、仲買人の方を信頼しているとおっしゃってますが、1つの寿司の向こうには寿司職人だけではなくプロの仕事をする人たちが何人も居て、形になるってことですよね。誰かが手を抜いたら完成しない。 どうぞこれからもうまい鮨を握ってください。

[@Maxime4906]

So interesting, great chef and great man !

[@toneriggz]

Their beak looks like this 😗

[@davegmorgangmail]

That was beautiful

[@infodenf6454]

Incredible video! Does someone know what kind of paper he is using to wrap the octopus and on top off his pots?

[@SurfofSteal]

Respect

[@user-fx2hg7jl5h]

i can see that this chef is quite funny person hahaha 😂

[@usd500]

A omakase chef with humor

[@whataboutrick]

I love Chef Nakaji ! My fav sushi spot in Ny

[@USAthera]

It will remain indeed sir Nakajima

[@marcelleroux9172]

this dude is awsum.

[@danielchen1813]

Nice guy 👍

[@jamericano100]

お得な映像、歴史に残ります。

[@URWELCOME]

This guy made me a SHUSHI CHEF

[@amishapollo]

Its absolutely gorgeous, and yet- I can't help but feel guilt at how we're fishing the oceans to extinction. I admire the artistry and passion, and hope people can realize how we need to define our inner restraints.

[@AaronChang369]

Never seen a man love recieving melons so much Melons~~~

[@kervs3990]

the background music when the chef serve food for the interviewer is good, may i know the name of that song?

[@kervs3990]

nvm i found it, for whoever have the same question and need answer, it is "Pure Elegance" from Max. H. (get the result from SHAZAM)

[@anupparida4842]

I just remembered Melon Chan 😂😬

[@titansenpai1188]

good

[@isaiahhouston228]

the dad has some full eyebrows cool video

[@TerraDoctor]

He bruised the piece of melon! xP

[@3arcovich]

"I won't serve anything to a customer unless I'm satisfied with the quality."

[@stefanhovvang1130]

Oi! what's the piano music playing around the end?

[@deathsmile3060]

+1! Friend also asks for... Whatever.

[@Ryou_xx]

meron-chan~

[@1YzeWhoaman6821]

This was touching. Well done.

[@theafterlife7224]

He should teach his children now so his next generation can keep it.

[@tseringnamgyal6662]

I’m afraid of octopus and other seafoods in general but the way chef serves them and care he puts into making them makes me want to try it for the experience.