From sushi to Tim Tams: Chef Nobu's Down Under delight sparks sweet surprise
- Replies 2
When it comes to culinary adventures, there's nothing quite like the experience of tasting a country's local delicacies for the first time.
And for world-renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, his recent encounter with an iconic Australian treat was a moment to remember.
Chef Nobu, the mastermind behind the prestigious Nobu restaurant empire, is no stranger to the finest cuisines the world has to offer.
His establishments are a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavours that have tantalised the taste buds of celebrities and food connoisseurs alike.
With a clientele that includes A-listers, including Australia’s own Nicole Kidman, Taylor Swift, Sean Connery, the Kardashian-Jenners, and even royalty, it's clear that Chef Nobu knows his way around a kitchen.
However, during his latest tour of his Australian restaurants, the 75-year-old chef had the opportunity to step outside his usual repertoire and try something a little more down-to-earth: the humble Tim Tam.
This chocolate-coated biscuit is a staple in Australian pantries.
While it may not be as sophisticated as sushi, it holds a special place in the hearts of Aussies everywhere.
In a candid moment during an interview at his Sydney restaurant, Chef Nobu was presented with the beloved Aussie snack.
‘Tim Tam? Oh yes, they’re very famous in Australia,’ Chef Nobu said with a chuckle, admitting, ‘I’ve never tried it before.’
As he bit into the crispy, chocolatey treat, his initial scepticism was replaced by delight.
‘Texture is a little different, also crispy, you can taste the chocolate. It’s very good—not like sushi, but I love it, it’s very good,’ he commented.
It's a testament to the universal appeal of simple pleasures, even for someone with such a refined palate.
Chef Nobu's diet typically consists of fresh, high-quality ingredients, with sushi being a staple. Yet, he didn't hesitate to indulge in the sweet biscuit, and his approval was evident when he happily accepted the remaining pack of Tim Tams.
The chef's visit to Australia wasn't just about trying new snacks, though.
He's here to oversee his three restaurants located within Crown Resorts in Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.
His trip included an exclusive 'Ultimate Gochisco Lunch' event on May 4, where attendees had the rare chance to meet the chef and enjoy a sushi feast prepared by the master himself.
The offer will continue to run on Wednesdays and Thursdays until August.
According to Chef Nobu, Australia holds a special place in his heart.
‘We have restaurants in the United States and Europe. But Australia—I feel very comfortable here. The people are so nice, I don’t know why,’ he shared.
Chef Nobu also praised the country's fresh seafood, particularly the wild fish.
‘Especially with sushi, you need fresh fish and here, a lot of the produce is very fresh,’ he remarked.
Chef Nobu's journey from opening his first restaurant in Beverly Hills in 1987 to now overseeing a global empire of 52 restaurants—including the three in Australia—is nothing short of remarkable.
Chef Nobu launched Crown Melbourne in 2007, Crown Perth in 2011, and Crown Sydney in December 2020.
His partnership with actor Robert De Niro was instrumental in this growth, with their collaboration beginning with the opening of a New York restaurant and expanding across the globe.
‘Ever since my first restaurant I like to try my best every day and in every moment,’ Chef Nobu humbly shared.
‘When Robert De Niro asked me to open the New York restaurant, which took about four to five years, we then opened London in 1997.’
‘Little by little it kept growing and finally in 2024 we have 52 restaurants,’ he continued.
Following his move from Japan to the US in the late 1970s, Chef Nobu established his upscale sushi empire, earning a devoted following and numerous awards for his culinary innovations.
However, despite rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous, Chef Nobu shared one of his unforgettable encounters with high-profile customers.
Chef Nobu recalled receiving an invitation to privately cook for the Princess, where he prepared sushi, tempura, and black cod.
‘I met Princess Diana before she had the car accident,’ he recounted.
‘I cooked for her.’
According to Chef Nobu, this is an experience that left a lasting impression on him.
‘I said, “A pleasure to meet you, Princess,” and she said, “Chef Nobu, I know who you are, I know all your background story”—and I was just so impressed,’ Chef Nobu narrated.
‘She liked it. She was so elegant, she had charisma, she was beautiful, smart and polite.’
However, a few weeks later, while he was in New York, he received news of her passing.
‘Still, the memory is so emotional,’ he remarked.
The chef also shares a longstanding friendship with actor Mark Wahlberg, stating that they have been exchanging texts non-stop since he arrived in the country.
‘I’ve know him for more than 30 years. He is a very big celebrity, but for me (I don’t know how he thinks about me) I never think “Oh, he’s a celebrity,”’ he shared.
The celebrated chef eagerly anticipated delighting the public with his culinary creations over the weekend.
Throughout his visit, he collaborated closely with his chefs and restaurant teams at all three locations, overseeing menu evaluations and imparting his knowledge of culinary techniques and ingredients.
He emphasised that they are instrumental to Nobu's achievements.
‘(Australia) is a place very close to my heart and I love visiting my team and local suppliers,’ Chef Nobu stated.
As Chef Nobu embarks on a tour of his Australian culinary empire, celebrating his renowned sushi creations and culinary expertise, the world of sushi in Australia faces its own challenges.
Recently, an Australian woman who opened her restaurant found herself in the midst of controversy over accusations of cultural appropriation.
This unexpected twist highlights the complexities and discussions surrounding cultural authenticity and representation in the food industry.
Have you ever had a similar experience where a simple local treat won over your taste buds, or perhaps surprised a visitor from afar? Share your stories with us in the comments below.
And for world-renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, his recent encounter with an iconic Australian treat was a moment to remember.
Chef Nobu, the mastermind behind the prestigious Nobu restaurant empire, is no stranger to the finest cuisines the world has to offer.
His establishments are a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavours that have tantalised the taste buds of celebrities and food connoisseurs alike.
With a clientele that includes A-listers, including Australia’s own Nicole Kidman, Taylor Swift, Sean Connery, the Kardashian-Jenners, and even royalty, it's clear that Chef Nobu knows his way around a kitchen.
Chef Nobu tasted Tim Tams for the first time and shared past experiences in his recent visit to Australia. Credits: Instagram / Chef Nobu Matsuhisa
However, during his latest tour of his Australian restaurants, the 75-year-old chef had the opportunity to step outside his usual repertoire and try something a little more down-to-earth: the humble Tim Tam.
This chocolate-coated biscuit is a staple in Australian pantries.
While it may not be as sophisticated as sushi, it holds a special place in the hearts of Aussies everywhere.
In a candid moment during an interview at his Sydney restaurant, Chef Nobu was presented with the beloved Aussie snack.
‘Tim Tam? Oh yes, they’re very famous in Australia,’ Chef Nobu said with a chuckle, admitting, ‘I’ve never tried it before.’
As he bit into the crispy, chocolatey treat, his initial scepticism was replaced by delight.
‘Texture is a little different, also crispy, you can taste the chocolate. It’s very good—not like sushi, but I love it, it’s very good,’ he commented.
It's a testament to the universal appeal of simple pleasures, even for someone with such a refined palate.
Chef Nobu's diet typically consists of fresh, high-quality ingredients, with sushi being a staple. Yet, he didn't hesitate to indulge in the sweet biscuit, and his approval was evident when he happily accepted the remaining pack of Tim Tams.
The chef's visit to Australia wasn't just about trying new snacks, though.
He's here to oversee his three restaurants located within Crown Resorts in Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.
His trip included an exclusive 'Ultimate Gochisco Lunch' event on May 4, where attendees had the rare chance to meet the chef and enjoy a sushi feast prepared by the master himself.
The offer will continue to run on Wednesdays and Thursdays until August.
According to Chef Nobu, Australia holds a special place in his heart.
‘We have restaurants in the United States and Europe. But Australia—I feel very comfortable here. The people are so nice, I don’t know why,’ he shared.
Chef Nobu also praised the country's fresh seafood, particularly the wild fish.
‘Especially with sushi, you need fresh fish and here, a lot of the produce is very fresh,’ he remarked.
Chef Nobu's journey from opening his first restaurant in Beverly Hills in 1987 to now overseeing a global empire of 52 restaurants—including the three in Australia—is nothing short of remarkable.
Chef Nobu launched Crown Melbourne in 2007, Crown Perth in 2011, and Crown Sydney in December 2020.
His partnership with actor Robert De Niro was instrumental in this growth, with their collaboration beginning with the opening of a New York restaurant and expanding across the globe.
‘Ever since my first restaurant I like to try my best every day and in every moment,’ Chef Nobu humbly shared.
‘When Robert De Niro asked me to open the New York restaurant, which took about four to five years, we then opened London in 1997.’
‘Little by little it kept growing and finally in 2024 we have 52 restaurants,’ he continued.
Following his move from Japan to the US in the late 1970s, Chef Nobu established his upscale sushi empire, earning a devoted following and numerous awards for his culinary innovations.
However, despite rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous, Chef Nobu shared one of his unforgettable encounters with high-profile customers.
Chef Nobu recalled receiving an invitation to privately cook for the Princess, where he prepared sushi, tempura, and black cod.
‘I met Princess Diana before she had the car accident,’ he recounted.
‘I cooked for her.’
According to Chef Nobu, this is an experience that left a lasting impression on him.
‘I said, “A pleasure to meet you, Princess,” and she said, “Chef Nobu, I know who you are, I know all your background story”—and I was just so impressed,’ Chef Nobu narrated.
‘She liked it. She was so elegant, she had charisma, she was beautiful, smart and polite.’
However, a few weeks later, while he was in New York, he received news of her passing.
‘Still, the memory is so emotional,’ he remarked.
The chef also shares a longstanding friendship with actor Mark Wahlberg, stating that they have been exchanging texts non-stop since he arrived in the country.
‘I’ve know him for more than 30 years. He is a very big celebrity, but for me (I don’t know how he thinks about me) I never think “Oh, he’s a celebrity,”’ he shared.
The celebrated chef eagerly anticipated delighting the public with his culinary creations over the weekend.
Throughout his visit, he collaborated closely with his chefs and restaurant teams at all three locations, overseeing menu evaluations and imparting his knowledge of culinary techniques and ingredients.
He emphasised that they are instrumental to Nobu's achievements.
‘(Australia) is a place very close to my heart and I love visiting my team and local suppliers,’ Chef Nobu stated.
As Chef Nobu embarks on a tour of his Australian culinary empire, celebrating his renowned sushi creations and culinary expertise, the world of sushi in Australia faces its own challenges.
Recently, an Australian woman who opened her restaurant found herself in the midst of controversy over accusations of cultural appropriation.
This unexpected twist highlights the complexities and discussions surrounding cultural authenticity and representation in the food industry.
.png){kind=icon}
