Japanese chef-entrepreneur to open ‘Shokuji’ eatery near Tower Bridge

Chef entrepreneur Angelo Sato is preparing to open a new Japanese-inspired eatery near Tower Bridge.

Omoide, pronounced o-moy-day, will specialise in ‘Shokuji’ – a popular meal comprising rice, pickles and soup.

For Angelo, the venture represents a return to his roots after a career spanning work at London-based Trinity, RyuGin in Tokyo and New York’s Eleven Madison Park. Most recently, he was head chef at Restaurant Story in Southwark.

Diners at Omoide will choose from a selection of chirashi rice bowls or customise their own rice bowl to go, with options including salmon, chicken, cured cucumber, sushi ginger, shallots and spicy beansprouts.

It will use fish caught and delivered fresh from boats off Lyme Bay to the south west.

Angelo’s passion for chirashi rice bowls started when he was a teenager working in Tokyo’s fish markets. His first job was prepping fresh fish for takeaway bento boxes.

He said: “Born and raised in Japan, Shokuji is what I grew up on, and can be found everywhere in Tokyo from breakfast tables to three Michelin starred restaurants.

“It’s a humble trio, and for me represents my heritage and memories of my childhood. I wanted to make this style of food accessible to everyone, and hope that my memories of growing up in Japan will translate to the flavours and textures on Omoide’s menu.”

Omoide is opening this month.