Want to recreate some of our dishes at home? Why not head over to Youtube and check out Bento-ya’s resident head chef’s channel, “Cooking with chef Dai”.

A second generation chef of Japanese cuisine, British born Dai Ikeda started his culinary journey as a fishmonger in London, followed by an intensive apprenticeship of the “Kaiseki” style of cooking in the illustrious “Jisaku" restaurant Ginza, Tokyo.

He eventually became head chef at his family- run restaurant “Ikeda” London. Now managed by his Brother Ken, “Ikeda” is the oldest Japanese restaurant in the UK and celebrated its 50th year anniversary in 2023. It was founded by his late Father, Shigeru Ikeda, a pioneer of the “Kappo” style of cooking in Europe.

Dai’s YouTube channel has amassed a loyal following of nearly 250,000 subscribers and more than 35 million views.