The
era of Meiji (about 125 years ago) was the period that Japan started opening its
door to western modern-ization. It also coincided with the time that Tamajiro
Shioi came back from France where he successfully completed his training as a
professional chef in French cuisine. Soon after his return to Japan, he opened
his first restaurant called “Yayoi-ken” at the Kayabacho area in Tokyo. His first
restaurant served mainly western cuisine at the competitive price of only one
yen per set.Because of his superb cooking skill and competitive price, Yayoi-ken
soon became so popular with Tokyo residents that even the then prime minister
a nd famouse writers like Junichiro Tanizaki, were among the restaurant’s frequent
customers.
