5 questions with the chef of Michelin-recognized ShinBay
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Dinner at ShinBay cost $285 per person. Photo: Courtesy of ShinBay
Last month, the Michelin guide recognized one of the Valley's most exclusive dining experiences: Scottsdale's omakase sushi spot ShinBay, which hosts just two seatings of up to 13 diners a night at $285 a pop.
- Chef Ken Takana — who took over for retired ShinBay founder Shinji Kurita in 2023 — emailed with Axios Phoenix about the honor.
What was your reaction when you heard that Michelin would be surveying the Southwest for the first time? Did you think ShinBay would earn recognition?
"I thought it would be an opportunity for Japanese cuisine in Arizona to receive recognition. I did not know whether ShinBay would be recognized, but I always work under pressure and stay focused on my work."
ShinBay's dining room is purposefully small and exclusive. Given that Michelin inspectors don't advertise themselves, did you ever get a sense that one had visited the restaurant?
"I had absolutely no idea."
What was your reaction to ShinBay earning recognition?
"I believe the daily efforts of everyone involved, including ourselves, led to this result. I was very moved."
Have you spoken with Chef Kurita since the Michelin announcement?
"I have not spoken with him, but I am sure he will be happy."
How has being recognized by Michelin affected you and ShinBay?
"I think reservations are increasing, but we will continue as we always have — facing the ingredients, focusing on each individual guest and working every day to improve."
- "Because of this Michelin recognition, I believe everyone — including myself, the chefs and the front-of-house team — will feel an even greater sense of responsibility and focus. We will simply continue moving forward toward the next stage."
If you want to go: The dining room may be small, but as of Monday afternoon, there were still slots available later this week on OpenTable.