Chef Daisuke Nomura from the Shojin Cuisine Restaurant “SOUGO” visited our Hiratsuka R&D Center
Shojin cuisine is a traditional cooking style rooted in Japanese culture. Known for its creative use of plant-based ingredients, it emphasizes diverse preparation techniques to bring out the best in plant-based ingredients. At Takasago, we draw inspiration from the ingenuity of shojin cuisine and combine it with our flavor technologies under the Shojin® brand to provide solutions that enhance the deliciousness of plant-based foods.
As part of our Shojin® activities, we welcomed chef Daisuke Nomura of SOUGO—a restaurant renowned for Chef Nomura’s modern interpretations of shojin cuisine—to our Hiratsuka R&D Center. The purpose of the visit was to provide the chef, who explores new expressions of taste through ingredients and cooking innovations, with a firsthand experience of how our flavors are developed and contribute to the overall perception of deliciousness. This dialogue aims to inspire further collaboration and the evolution of the Shojin® flavor line.
During the visit, we introduced the roles and types of flavors, showcasing how even a small amount of flavor can change the taste of the same soup. The chef also sampled our Vivid Flavors® series, which authentically recreates characteristic aromas. This session allowed us to share the critical role of aroma in flavor perception from both culinary and flavor formulation perspectives. In addition, we provided a guided tour of our facilities, including our advanced analytical technologies and flavor development labs.
This visit deepens our partnership with SOUGO and opens new discussions on how the knowledge and philosophy of shojin cuisine can inspire the development of commercial food products. At Takasago, we are committed to redefining plant-based foods—not as a “compromise” for environmental, ethical, or healthy reasons, but as a new, enjoyable culinary style. Through our Shojin® flavor line, we will continue providing solutions that balance sustainability, well-being, and great taste.
Under the Shojin® brand, we integrate biotechnology, natural material processing, analytical science, flavor creation, and visualization technologies to deliver tasty flavors for various plant-based food applications.