Chef Inoue introduces Eastern delights with Japanese Restaurant 708
Published:Thursday | January 16, 2025 | 12:09 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
If you’re looking to take your palate on an exciting adventure, then there’s a truly tasty journey that awaits you. Japanese Master Chef Naoya Inoue has spent several years working in the local culinary industry. And as of a month ago, he has embarked on his own entrepreneurial pursuits, with the opening of his very own eatery, Japanese Restaurant 708.
Located at 16 Shortwood Road in St Andrew, the restaurant operates from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and offers a wide array of dishes to choose from. You can roll out with the vegetable spring rolls for starters. Cooked fresh on order, the teriyaki chicken and Japanese fried chicken are among the popular dishes set to entice your taste buds. The offerings also include chicken dumplings, spicy chicken, chicken katsu and Chef Inoue’s famous sweet mayo chicken.
“Jamaican people love chicken. So the chicken dishes are doing really well so far,” Chef Inoue told Food. But the menu isn’t limited to poultry.
Pork lovers can enjoy the succulent meat in the teriyaki, ginger or stew variety. You can also try the tonkatsu, crispy pork. If you are into seafood, the shrimp options range from teriyaki and fried to sweet mayo, ebi chili and tempura. And the beef selection consists of teriyaki, beef with onion and katsu. Each dish is served with the option of fried rice, egg fried rice or white rice, and the meats are available in different combos.
Chef Inoue, who worked at East Japanese since 2015, explained that he left after nine years to start his own food business in the city. “I wanted to have my own Japanese restaurant in Kingston.”
Prior to his culinary career, the good chef once worked in the music business. As a lover of the local culture, he visited the island twice before setting roots; once in 2003 and then in 2005. “When I visited again, I decided to stop playing music because I wasn’t making any money from it,” the former disc jockey said.
That’s when he started to explore different notes; once that were elevated in flavour. “I did traditional Japanese food back in Japan. So in trying to figure out how I could make some money, I went into doing chef work.”
Staying true to his culture, the 708 in his restaurant name is associated with the Japanese pronunciation of his first name, Naoya.
Since opening a little over a month ago, on December 7, 2024, those who have graced the doors have marvelled at the rich taste. “Those who come in say they love the food. And I am happy about that.”
“When most people think about Japanese, they think sushi. But I respect the sushi owner and head chef of East Japanese Restaurant, Chef Taka Utoguchi,” he said, adding, “I wanted to try a different way, and persons know that there is more to Japanese food than sushi.”
He has carried on the teriyaki tradition while keeping a menu line-up that meets the needs of those looking for a filling lunch and dinner selection.
Like with any small, upcoming business, this entrepreneur has experienced his fair share of obstacles. “Business is slow at the moment. But we are just starting out; so I am hopeful. I just want to get the word to everyone that there is a new Japanese restaurant in town,” Chef Inoue shared.
Offering only take-out and catering services at the moment, he hopes to build his brand and eventually do delivery, and expand to providing a dine-in experience.