A Culinary Journey from Japan to Peru

In 1899, a ship named the Sakura Maru set sail from Japan, carrying with it more than just passengers—it carried centuries of culinary tradition. When those first Japanese immigrants arrived on the shores of Peru, they found themselves in a land rich with unfamiliar ingredients: vibrant chilies, earthy potatoes, sweet corn, and the bright bite of local limes.

In kitchens far from home, they began to recreate the dishes of their childhoods, adapting time-honored recipes with the bounty of their new surroundings. Over time, this fusion of flavors gave rise to something entirely new — Nikkei cuisine.

ISSEI, named for the first generation of Japanese immigrants, honors this legacy. It’s more than just a name — it’s a philosophy. At ISSEI, we celebrate the bold creativity that emerges when cultures meet. Each dish is a harmonious blend of Japanese precision and Peruvian passion: sushi kissed with the heat of ají amarillo, delicate sashimi dressed in citrusy leche de tigre, and grilled seafood seasoned with ancient Andean spices.

It’s a cuisine shaped by land and sea, by memory and innovation — a vibrant fusion that speaks of journeys, both personal and culinary.

Welcome to ISSEI. Taste the story.