Michelin-Star Chef Setsuo Funahashi Hosts Edomae Omakase at Huvafen Fushi

06 August, 2025

In an unprecedented fusion of Maldivian paradise and Japanese gastronomic mastery, Huvafen Fushi announces a one-night-only culinary residency with Chef Setsuo Funahashi of the legendary two-Michelin-starred Nikaku. On August 11, 2025, this iconic Maldivian resort will transform its overwater sanctuary, RAW restaurant, into a stage for a 17-course Edomae sushi experience – a rare opportunity for discerning epicureans

The Master Behind the Magic

• Third-Generation Sushi Legacy: Chef Funahashi owns and helms Nikaku ("a pair of cranes") in Kitakyushu, Japan – a temple to sushi craftsmanship spanning 200 years. Revered for his unwavering dedication to Edo-period techniques, he sources fish exclusively from the nutrient-rich Kanmon Straits, where the seas of Honshu and Kyushu converge.

• Artistry in Motion: His mastery includes the hontegaeshi technique (a precise hand-molding of nigiri) and anbai – the sacred balance of salt and vinegar in sushi rice. Each dish is a calculated symphony of texture, temperature, and tradition.

The Dinner: A 17-Course Journey Through Time

1. Authentic Edomae Tradition: Experience sushi as it existed in 1700s Tokyo Bay, where fish was preserved using vinegar-curing, simmering, and marinating – methods born before refrigeration. Chef Funahashi’s omakase resurrects these ancestral practices.

2. Japan-to-Maldives Ingredient Odyssey: Every piece of fish, grain of rice, and drop of artisanal soy sauce will be flown directly from Japan to Huvafen Fushi, ensuring uncompromised freshness and authenticity.

3. Liquid Harmony: Optional pairings of premium champagne, white wines, and rare sake elevate the delicate flavors, curated to mirror the menu’s progression.

The Stage: RAW Restaurant

Perched above turquoise waters, RAW’s ethos of organic purity aligns seamlessly with Nikaku’s philosophy. Known for its 100% organic, garden-to-table cuisine and panoramic ocean views, the venue becomes an intimate theater for this culinary spectacle – seating just eight guests per seating (two seatings total).

Why This Night Is Unmissable

• Exclusivity Meets Craft: Only 16 seats exist for this collaboration between two icons: one representing Maldivian serene luxury, the other embodying Japan’s disciplined culinary artistry.

• Beyond the Plate: The evening transcends dining – it’s a cultural bridge. As the sun sets over the Indian Ocean, guests witness history plated as art, where each course tells a story of heritage and innovation.

Huvafen Fushi: A Culinary Destination

While Nikaku’s residency is ephemeral, the resort’s dining legacy endures. At SALT, Japan meets Latin America in an Izakaya-style setting, acclaimed as one of the Maldives' best restaurants. Meanwhile, RAW’s daily menu celebrates plant-based vitality with garden-fresh ingredients.

Secure Your Seat

• Date: August 11, 2025

• Location: RAW Restaurant, Huvafen Fushi, Maldives

• Reservations: Contact Huvafen Fushi directly via their official website. With only 16 seats available, early booking is essential.

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"This night isn’t just a meal; it’s where the soul of Edo meets the spirit of the Maldives. For one evening, the ocean breathes with the rhythm of hontegaeshi."

RESERVE YOUR STAY

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