Nobuyuki Matsuhisa Caught His Dream

Nobuyuki Matsuhisa has been “catching his dream” for more than fifty years. While growing up in Shinjuku, Matsuhisa had an early fascination with sushi chefs and an instinct to explore the world beyond Tokyo.

When he first learned the craft, Matsuhisa was attracted to the showmanship that comes with preparing sashimi and the intimacy of the cuisine. Like an artist, his sushi bar serves as a stage to perform and every piece is made one at a time for the customer’s enjoyment.

*Meir Teper (Nobu Co-founder), Yoko Matsuhisa and Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa*. *Tribeca Festival 2025. June 11 at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Image courtesy of Elliott Desai*

At the age of 23, Nobuyuki moved to Peru to open his first restaurant, Matsuei – Lima, Peru (named after his mentor). It was here that Matsuhisa was introduced to Peruvian flavors and cilantro, onion, garlic, and chili in dishes. He was inspired to create a space that reflected the city and felt more like walking into a home, a place where “Japanese music wasn’t playing and women weren’t dressed in kimonos.”

“I’m a craftsman and I want to use high-quality ingredients and offer the finest service.” Nobuyuki Matsuhisa

This signature Japanese-Peruvian style became the foundation of Matsuhisa’s monumental success. Now at 76 years old, his culinary empire has become a global hospitality brand that includes luxury restaurants and hotels around the world. Influential dishes include black cod with miso, spicy tuna crispy rice, yellowtail jalapeño & rock shrimp tempura with yuzu juice and soy sauce.

Nobuyuki’s distinct point of view appears prevalent in every location – flavors that cater to local palates, ingredients from the environment, and a floor plan that physically elevates the sushi bar and gives chefs a sweeping view. The namesake’s favorite part is having a vantage point where he can stand to see how people are enjoying their food.

*Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa*. *Tribeca Festival 2025. June 11 at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Image courtesy of Elliott Desai*

After making its New York Premiere at the 24th Tribeca Festival, ‘Nobu’ is now playing in select theaters across the country and on Apple TV+.

This 90-minute documentary is directed by Matt Tyrnauer and chronicles the world-famous chef’s life as he shapes the future of Japanese cuisine with business partners Robert De Niro, Drew Nieporent, and Meir Teper.

*Saori Kawano and Drew Nieporent (Nobu Founding Partner). Tribeca Festival 2025. June 11 at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Image courtesy of Elliott Desai*

The film is an inspiring look at the unfolding of Matsuhisa’s life as he trusts his intuition and focuses on his craft. It’s now 30 years since the first Nobu restaurant arrived in Beverly Hills – open right now as Matsuhisa on 129 N La Cienega Blvd.

In interviews with his wife, Yoko, and daughters, Junko and Yoshiko, illustrate that his path was not easy, and the support of Yoko and family is how Nobuyuki sustained this pursuit.

In his words, they allowed him to keep “catching his dream.”