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The love child cuisine of Peru and Japan If you ever needed further proof that Tel-Aviv is a global food village, all you have to do is visit Lima-Nippo, the new chef restaurant in Jaffas flea market compound. The intimate New York vibe, the breathtaking graffiti work by Erez Tuviana adorning the walls, and the eclectic mix of deep beats makes you realize youve entered a magnificent new world. Lima-Nippo is a culinary surprise in the Israeli gastronomic world, bringing the combination of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine known as Nikkei. Peru has the second largest ethnic Japanese population in South America; this community has made a significant cultural impact on the country since the Japanese first began to immigrate to Peru in the late 19th century. One of the most evident manifestations of their influence is of course Nikkei, the Japanese-Peruvian fusion food trend that has swept the globe. The particular roots of this fusion lie in the significance that both traditions give to fresh fish, as Japanese sushi, buoyed by Perus thriving fishing industry, mixes perfectly with the ceviche, which is at the center of many Peruvian menus. The two young men behind Lima-Nipo are the restaurateur Yoram Perez and the chef Chris Golding, bringing the best of the Nikkei kitchen, and using the finest of raw materials. Perez and Golding, who recently made Israel their home, came from the famous Nobu restaurant chain that introduced the Nikkei culinary scene to major cities around the world. Peretz, 30, is a French Jewish restaurateur who climbed his way to the top of Nobu, starting as a waiter in London and becoming the chains manager in Dubai and Cape Town. After visiting Tel-Aviv, Perez was impressed by the city's innovation and sophistication, which led him to decide to open a Nikkei restaurant in Jaffa and make Israel his home. Golding, 34, a prize-winning chef who was awarded the British Tatler prize, arrived at the Lima-Nipo kitchen after serving at Michelin-starred restaurants in England, including Mirabelle, Nahm, Zuma, and Nobu where his interest in Asian cooking reached its peak. Golding had never visited Tel Aviv before, but when Peretz offered him to be the chef de cuisine at Lima-Nipo, he immediately agreed to join. Lima-Nipo brings Israel the best of the elegant and delicate cuisine of Japan, together with the freshness and spicy punch of Peru. You are more than welcome to taste these new flavors and understand why Nikkei cuisine has won the hearts of so many around the world.
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