Hajime

For those seeking a true high-concept gastronomic experience, Osaka offers one of the best restaurants in the entire world. Hajime is the brainchild of the owner-chef whose name it shares, a man who once enjoyed a successful career as an electrical engineer before deciding to enter the culinary world. His French fusion cuisine is conceptually heavy, inspired by his scientific background and centered around representing the patterns of nature, and the beauty of the hidden order of things. These philosophical aspirations elevate his dishes towards the level of fine art: using food as a medium to invite genuine contemplation of high-brow concepts, through the use of all five senses. Diners can expect vegetable dishes which represent the cycle of water as it flows down the mountains to the sea, and back into the clouds. Other dishes are constructed to represent the circular orbits of the planets. Each of his creations continues to astound the Michelin judges, and diners the world over who dream of going some day. In fact, this restaurant achieved the Michelin Guide’s coveted three-star award just seventeen months after opening — the fastest in history! This isn’t just due to the high-concept trappings: the food itself is also to die for. Hajime-san uses innovative methods for every step of the preparation process, from the pantry to the plate. His rich shellfish sauce is legendary, adding a burst of flavor to what is one of the top gastronomic experiences on earth.