Congratulations to Yoji Masuda, chef of One MICHELIN Star Sushi Masuda and the 2024 MICHELIN Guide Vancouver Young Chef Award Winner!
Chef Yoji Masuda is a Vancouver native whose frequent family visits to Japan growing up inspired a passion for sushi. He began working in restaurants as a teen before moving to Japan to pursue his culinary career. He landed an apprenticeship at Two MICHELIN Star Sushi Yoshitake in Ginza, Tokyo, where he learned the finer points of the craft.
With more than a dozen years of experience preparing sushi, he opened Sushi Masuda with his wife, Akari. He describes it as “a place where people who truly love sushi can gather.”
What inspired you to become a chef?
I have always loved sushi, even to this day it's still my favorite food. What inspired me to become a chef, specifically a sushi shokunin/chef, is seeing the older sushi shokunins/chefs in Tokyo when I was in my early teens making sushi in front me at the counter. I thought it was so cool and it was so delicious. After that, I knew I wanted to be a sushi chef.
What is your favorite dish on the menu?
Chu toro sushi...kuruma ebi sushi...uni sushi...kohada sushi. Sorry, I cannot choose! One of the staple dishes on our menu is our grilled blackthroat seaperch on our sushi rice porridge. That's one of my favorites.
What motivates you in the kitchen?
Seeing people have reserved spots at your restaurant and just wanting to make the best sushi I can every day.
What do you eat for breakfast?
Almond butter and my wife's blueberry jam sandwich with a frozen berry protein shake.
How do you wind down at the end of a shift?
Leftover yuzu citrus squeezed into my kombucha drink sitting at my counter with my Macbook.
What is your favorite food-related show, book, program, etc.?
Food related shows on NHK Japan, and Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown and No Reservations shows.
What advice would you give to a young person who wants to become a chef?
I'm not sure if I should be giving advice but...stay honest, work hard, follow your heart, and with each step backwards there are many steps forward. Don't give up.
How do you motivate your team?
I feed them sushi and they are ready.
Hero image: Mayu / Yoji Masuda
Thumb image: Mayu / Yoji Masuda
