Henshin at The Westin Jakarta has appointed Akira Oshita as its new Head Chef, marking a new chapter for the city’s flagship Nikkei dining destination. The appointment places Oshita at the helm of Henshin’s multi-level restaurant, which has become known for its Peruvian–Japanese approach set against panoramic views of Jakarta.
Chef Oshita brings an international background shaped by kitchens in Peru, Japan, Colombia, Mexico, the Maldives, and Thailand. His professional foundation was formed in Lima, where he began his culinary career at Edo, a Nikkei restaurant, while still in culinary school. There, he was introduced to the discipline and cultural context that would later define his cooking.
A formative period of his career was spent training under Toshirō Konishi, one of the pioneers of Nikkei cuisine. Through this experience, Oshita developed a deeper understanding of Nikkei not simply as a fusion style, but as a culinary expression shaped by migration, adaptation, and shared history between Japan and Peru.
At Henshin, Oshita’s approach is guided by three core principles: product integrity, technical precision, and thoughtful innovation. His menus prioritise high-quality, seasonally sourced ingredients, executed through Japanese techniques such as precise cuts and clean marinades, while drawing on Peruvian flavour structures built around citrus, herbs, and chilli. Innovation, in this context, is used to refine balance rather than introduce novelty.
Oshita has also noted parallels between Peruvian and Indonesian flavour foundations, pointing to similarities between Peru’s aderezo—a base of chilli, garlic, and spices—and Indonesia’s bumbu. This connection, he suggests, allows Nikkei flavours to feel approachable to Indonesian diners while remaining rooted in their original traditions.
With Oshita’s appointment, Henshin continues to develop its culinary identity through chef-led storytelling, positioning Nikkei cuisine as a living dialogue between technique, culture, and place rather than a fixed interpretation.
Henshin
The Westin Jakarta
Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said Blok C No.22A, Kuningan, Karet Kuningan, Kecamatan Setiabudi, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12940
