Best of the Spectator Table Talk: Jun Tanaka
Jun 3, 2025
Jun Tanaka, a Japanese-British chef with over 30 years in top London restaurants, shares his culinary journey. He reminisces about the comforting smell of baking and the nostalgia of Japanese home cooking. Jun debates why Japanese packed lunches outshine English ones and why London still lacks excellent ramen. His passion for innovative flavors shines through as he reflects on the evolution of London's dining scene and emphasizes the importance of a positive kitchen culture.
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Ramen Quality in London
- London still lacks an authentic ramen experience compared to Japan.
- The critical elements are the broth flavor, cooking method, and texture of the noodles.
Starting at Le Gavroche
- At 19, Jun asked top London chefs for kitchen opportunities despite lacking skills.
- Le Gavroche hired him, where he worked hard julienning celeriac and learned the chef life.
Evolution of London's Food Scene
- London's restaurant scene used to be all high-end French or fast food, lacking variety.
- Now there's more cuisine diversity and better kitchen culture than in the old French-dominated era.