Japanese chef Kohey Muranaga’s new life in Türkiye

Istanbul’s Tokyoya Kafe is bridging Turkish and Japanese cultures through Japanese cuisine, thanks to chef Kohey Muranaga.

Muranaga, who fell in love with Türkiye during a visit a decade ago, decided to make it his home and raise his family here. Now a father of two, he’s serving up a taste of Japan to Istanbulites at his Umraniye cafe.

‘I remembered that I lived a much better life in Türkiye’

Speaking to Anadolu Agency about his life story, Muranaga revealed that he decided to move to Türkiye due to the stress and hectic work environment in Japan. He described his routine in Japan, leaving home at 7 a.m. and returning by 10 p.m., and noted that this lifestyle left him feeling hopeless.

“I remembered that I lived a much better life in Türkiye, so I decided to move here,” he said. He expressed great satisfaction with his time in Türkiye and how daily life in Umraniye has impacted him.

“Turkish people are warm and sincere. This greatly impressed me,” he added.

Lending helping hand in earthquake zone

When the earthquakes struck Kahramanmaras last year, Muranaga, who was in Istanbul at the time, traveled to the affected area with a relief team from Japan. He shared his sorrow by talking with people in tent cities and distributing food.

Muranaga emphasized the importance of the friendship between Türkiye and Japan, citing examples like Japan’s aid after the sinking of the Ertugrul frigate in 1890 and Turkish Airlines’ rescue of 215 Japanese citizens stranded in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq War.

He highlighted how such events have strengthened the bond between the two countries.

‘Instead of going to hospital, I try to recover by eating kelle paca’

Over the years, Muranaga has embraced Turkish culture and learned that eating kelle paca, a broth made using head and hooves of lamb, is a common remedy when feeling unwell.

“Instead of going to the hospital, I try to recover by eating kelle paca soup,” he said.

He enjoys experiencing the beauty of Istanbul, often going picnicking with his family in Umraniye Millet Park and sitting on a bench by the sea. Noticing a lack of Japanese cuisine in Istanbul after moving there, Muranaga opened Tokyoya Kafe in June, offering some of Japan’s most popular and beloved dishes.