Shota Nakajima wears many hats: a skilled chef, a TV personality, a culinary entrepreneur, a lover of anime, and a social media presence. But one thing he isn’t at the moment is running a restaurant.
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Earlier this week, Nakajima shared on Instagram that his Capitol Hill restaurant in Seattle, Taku, will be closing for good. What began as a temporary shutdown earlier this year has now become permanent. To show his gratitude to loyal customers, Nakajima plans to host a few farewell dinners to celebrate their support over the last decade.
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Nakajima, originally from Japan, spent much of his life in the U.S. He made his mark on Seattle’s culinary scene in 2015 with a fine dining concept focused on Japanese cuisine, which he recently revived as a special pop-up experience.
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A few years later, he moved on from Naka to join a more laid-back and well-regarded restaurant, which eventually shut down during the pandemic. While this chapter helped establish his reputation, most diners likely experienced his work at Taku.
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Decked out in pop-culture treasures, much of it sourced from Nakajima’s personal stash, Taku was the go-to spot for fried bites, party snacks, and late-night cravings. Nakajima once joked he loved the idea of people indulging at 3 a.m., digging into a bucket of greasy goodness they might regret the next day. The menu offered skewered, crispy treats that were both tasty and budget-friendly. Most diners likely had no idea the place was run by a well-known chef from TV.
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Taku is closing its doors as Nakajima’s rising TV career has made it harder for him to dedicate enough time to the restaurant. Without someone to share the workload, he found it challenging to maintain the standards he set for himself. He shared that if he couldn’t run the restaurant the way he envisioned, it was better to step away rather than continue feeling it wasn’t his best effort.
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Taku’s temporary closure earlier this year wasn’t directly tied to this. Nakajima noted that the start of the year is typically a quiet period, and rising expenses, including higher wages, added to the challenge.
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Nakajima used the closure as an opportunity to host some exciting events. In late March, he held a Farewell Dinner featuring a collaboration with a local chef, which quickly sold out. For those who missed it, another celebration took place in early April, bringing in special guests for a memorable send-off.
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Nakajima’s next steps are uncertain, but he’s open to exploring new opportunities with a more thoughtful approach than in his earlier years. After diving into the restaurant world in his mid-20s and spending years juggling openings, closings, and a rise to TV fame, he’s ready to revisit his roots in the industry, though it may take a while before anything takes shape.
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Owning and managing restaurants feels like a natural passion for him, something he’s deeply connected to. This time, he’s determined to approach it with greater purpose. In the past, he jumped in headfirst, embracing opportunities as they came. Now, he’s focused on moving forward with more thoughtfulness and clarity.
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Shota shared his appreciation for the city and its community, acknowledging their support over the years and how it shaped his journey, opportunities, and connections.
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Thanks for tuning in as we shared Shota’s inspiring journey and incredible story. Stay with us to see what’s coming next!
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