Mitsuharu Tsumura

Maido

Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura was born in Lima, but his origins come from Osaka, Japan. He is a head chef and owner of MAIDO.  He studied Culinary Arts, and Food and Beverage Administration at Johnson & Wales University, USA. Upon graduation he traveled to Osaka- Japan, to specialize in Japanese cuisine, he worked in restaurants such as ¨Seto Sushi¨ and ¨Imo to Daikon¨. He returned to Peru and worked at Sheraton Hotel as a Sous Chef. It was his passion for Peruvian cuisine with Japanese techniques, the great Nikkei cuisine that led him to create Maido (2009). His version of Peruvian cuisine is influenced by his own story of a descendant of Japanese immigrants who was born in Lima in 1981. 

The harmonious synthesis between Peru and Japan

Nikkei cuisine is a synthesis between the culinary tradition of Peru and that of Japan. A style that melted into a dish gives harmonies of colors, flavors, and aromas with the best of the two countries, so different in appearance. Nikkei cuisine puts the delicacy and fantasy of the Japanese culinary tradition on the table with the strong, vibrant, and spicy flavors of Peru. Tsumura was one of the pioneers in bringing to the language of restaurants this Nikkei food that has always been restricted to the houses of Japanese immigrants since it has always been hearty cuisine.

Nikkei is Here to Stay!

At Maido, he recreates recipes with a deep search for local produce from distinct regions of Peru – from the Amazon to the south. Maido’s tasting menus encompass dishes such as fish hotdog, sea urchin rice, cod marinated in miso with nuts, and nigiri from the catch of the day.

“Young chefs will hopefully become more curious about understanding this cuisine and I hope that Peruvian food now has a bigger repertoire to play with… When I opened Maido one of my dreams was to create something lasting. I think that immortality in a way is about what you leave here, what you leave for the next generations, and I really want to leave something for the next generation of the Nikkei community around the world.”

Mitsuharu Tsumura

Instagram: @mitsuharu_maido
Restaurant web site: https://maido.pe/en/
Restaurant address: Calle San Martín 399, Case Miraflores 15074, Peru