Wintry mix Thursday night, another storm Friday

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Out of five nominees for this year’s James Beard Award for Best Chef: Midwest, three specialize in sushi and Japanese cuisine. Among them is Shigeyuki Furukawa, the only Minnesota chef named a finalist this year in any category. This is the second year in a row he’s been nominated. Karyn Tomlinson of Myriel in St. Paul 

Furukawa co-owns Kado no Mise, which means “corner restaurant” in Japanese. Wednesdays through Sundays, he and his team serve a tasting menu of delicate, traditional sushi. On Tuesdays, they offer a different concept: ten courses drawn from a centuries-old cooking tradition called “kaiseki.” He also has a Japanese whiskey bar tucked in the same building. 

Chef Furukawa joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the nomination and his approach to food. 

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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Chef Shigeyuki Furukawa opened the restaurant Kado No Mise in 2017, determined to bring traditional Japanese cuisine to Minnesota. Now, he’s a finalist for Best Chef: Midwest for the second year in a row and the state’s only nominee this year in any James Beard category. 

Out of five nominees for this year’s James Beard Award for Best Chef: Midwest, three specialize in sushi and Japanese cuisine. Among them is Shigeyuki Furukawa, the only Minnesota chef named a finalist this year in any category. Chef Furukawa joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the nomination and his approach to food.

Inside Kado no Mise: The 'corner restaurant' of Minnesota's only 2026 James Beard finalist

A chef holds chopsticks while preparing plates in a warmly-lit restaurant

Inside Kado no Mise: The 'corner restaurant' of Minnesota's only 2026 James Beard finalist

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