Masa Japanese Cuisine

The story

Masa Japanese Cuisine | Michelin-Starred Japanese Haute Cuisine in Frankfurt am Main

How it all began

Chef Masaru Oae’s path to opening Masa Japanese Cuisine started in London at Yashin Sushi and Bar, where he first learned the precise techniques of sushi cutting, knife care, and dashi preparation. That time abroad deepened his understanding of his own culture and sparked a desire to share Japanese food with others.

In Freiburg, he spent three years at Basho-An perfecting the traditional kaiseki style — a Japanese cooking approach focused on the purity and simplicity of ingredients. He then moved to Düsseldorf to work at Nagaya, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and later became head chef at its sister restaurant, Yoshi by Nagaya. These experiences shaped his philosophy: cooking is not just about the food, but the entire performance around it.

The restaurant

Masa Japanese Cuisine is Oae’s own vision, bringing his expertise to Frankfurt. The kitchen blends Japanese haute cuisine with carefully selected European techniques and ingredients. The result is a balanced, memorable dining experience that respects Japanese traditions — the love for detail, traditional cooking methods, and a refined balance of flavors — while embracing European influences.

The restaurant offers multi-course tasting menus, personally composed by Chef Oae. As of April 2025, a Saturday lunch menu is available for 115 EUR, prepared fresh daily. The evening menu has also been restructured to include a shorter option.

The Masa concept

Experience Japan through food. Masa Japanese Cuisine stands for intercultural exchange: the combination of Japanese culinary traditions with European gastronomic approaches creates new aromas, textures, and flavors. Oae describes his cooking as an exploration of culinary worlds at the highest level.

The restaurant has held a Michelin star since 2022 and continues to be recognized for its high-quality cooking. Beyond the food, the team focuses on an immersive experience — premium ingredients, exceptional service, and Japanese hospitality. Counter dining is available, and the sake list is notable.