Farewell, Chef Okajima

Tucked away on the third floor of Makati’s fluorescent-lit Milky Way Building, Tsukiji Japanese Restaurant has quietly stood as a sanctuary of sushi artistry since 1989.

Its name pays homage to Tokyo’s legendary Tsukiji Market, fitting, as the fish is flown in straight from there, arriving so fresh it might as well have swum to Manila.

For over three decades, according to a report from ABS-CBN, this culinary temple was shaped by Chef Toshiro Okajima, a Tokyo native whose hands transformed bluefin tuna, sea urchin, and Canadian scallops into edible poetry.

On 20 May 2025, the restaurant announced his passing.

"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Chef Okajima, beloved Sushi Master Chef of Tsukiji Restaurant.
We express our heartfelt gratitude for his contributions, creativity, and the warmth he shared with everyone around him making Tsukiji among Asia’s best restaurants. Chef Okajima’s legacy will live on through the memories he created and the lives he touched. Arigato gozaimasu."

Chef Okajima is fondly remembered not just for the food he crafted, but for the unforgettable experiences he created and the lives he touched.

His legacy endures, inspiring future generations of chefs and diners alike.

Arigatou gozaimasu, Chef. You are deeply missed.