The Michelin-starred sushi restaurant icca in New York has been incorporating SUGIMOTO Shiitake’s log-grown Dried Shiitake into its menu since 2023. Chef Suzuki at Ichihana uses these premium mushrooms to create original dishes that highlight the deep umami and distinctive textures of the DONKO shiitake.
Located in the Nolita neighborhood of New York City, icca is a renowned omakase sushi restaurant. Known for its delicate sushi made with seasonal ingredients, the restaurant has earned high praise for Chef Suzuki’s innovative approach and exceptional craftsmanship. With a focus on carefully selected ingredients sourced from Japan, including fish, meat, and vegetables, RESOBOX approached icca about a year ago, leading to the collaboration using SUGIMOTO Shiitake’s Dried Shiitake.
Recently, the president of SUGIMOTO Shiitake, Kazuhide Sugimoto, traveled to New York to experience firsthand how Chef Suzuki incorporated the mushrooms into the menu.
“The dish that stood out the most was the wagyu steak served with a special sauce made from our DONKO Shiitake,” said Sugimoto. “Chef Suzuki researched methods to fully enhance the umami of the mushrooms, and the pairing with wagyu created a truly remarkable combination that impressed even New York’s most discerning gourmets.”
When asked why Ichihana chose SUGIMOTO Shiitake’s products, Chef Suzuki highlighted the “distinctive texture and rich umami of the Dried Shiitake.” These qualities made the mushrooms an essential component of his dishes. Additionally, the ease of sourcing the mushrooms from local distributors in New York solidified the decision.
Kazuhide Sugimoto expressed his thoughts on the importance of this collaboration: “For the sustainability of our business, it is deeply meaningful to see our mushrooms being used at a Michelin-starred restaurant in New York City. It reinforced the importance of showing producers the environments where their products are used. In an era of advancing digital technology, the proximity between producers and consumers becomes our greatest competitive advantage, and the value of analog methods stands out even more.”
RESOBOX will continue its efforts to introduce exceptional Japanese ingredients, such as Japanese Shiitake Powder, to the world, acting as a bridge between cultures and promoting the richness of Japanese food traditions.
