Juliana Siahaan
Feb 02, 2026
Henshin proudly announces the appointment of Akira Oshita as the new Chef De Cuisine, the city’s acclaimed Nikkei dining destination perched atop the five-star hotel, The Westin Jakarta’s highest floors.
With an impressive culinary career that spans Peru, Japan, Colombia, Mexico, the Maldives and Thailand, Chef Akira Oshita brings to Henshin a deeply personal interpretation of Nikkei cuisine, a vibrant fusion of Japanese discipline and Peruvian warmth.
“I began my career in Lima at a Nikkei restaurant called Edo while still in culinary school,” says Chef Akira. “I started washing dishes, just observing, until I asked the chefs to teach me, that’s how my journey began.”
His passion and dedication led him to train under the legendary Toshirō Konishi, one of the pioneers of Nikkei cuisine. Through years of international experience, Chef Akira discovered that Nikkei perfectly represents who he is: a harmony between Japanese precision and Peruvian soul.
For Chef Akira, Nikkei cuisine is more than fusion, it is a living story of migration, adaptation and creativity. “The Japanese immigrants who arrived in Peru at the end of the 19th century brought their respect for ingredients, knife skills and clean presentation. They embraced Peruvian produce, fresh seafood, native tubers, and vibrant chilies, and created a new culinary identity. I carry both traditions in my hands,” he shares.
At Henshin, Chef Akira’s culinary philosophy centers on three pillars: product integrity, technique, and thoughtful innovation.
• Product integrity: using only the highest-quality ingredients, sustainably sourced, seasonal, and local
where possible, while allowing the product to remain the hero of each dish.
• Technique: rooted in Japanese precision, precise cuts, clean marinades, and meticulous presentation, combined with Peruvian flavour layering, citrus brightness, herbs, and chili warmth.
• Thoughtful innovation: blending modern culinary trends with tradition through purpose-driven creativity, ensuring that every component contributes to the harmony and soul of Nikkei cuisine.
“I want guests to feel surprised, to taste something new yet comfortingly familiar,” says Chef Akira. “Nikkei food brings together Japanese precision and Peruvian warmth, and I believe those flavors will connect beautifully with Indonesian palates. In Peru, we use aderezo, a base of chili, garlic, and spices, very much like ‘bumbu’ in Indonesia. That’s why I’m sure many will find the flavors at Henshin naturally familiar, even if they’ve never tried Nikkei before.”
With Chef Akira Oshita at the helm, Henshin continues its journey as Jakarta’s leading destination for elevated Nikkei cuisine, offering guests not just a meal, but a story, a harmonious celebration of Peru and Japan coming together at the table. Henshin serves as a multi-level and multi-dimensional food and beverage venue, presenting authentic Nikkei or Peruvian-Japanese cuisine as well as rooftop experience, overlooking spectacular city views.
Marriott Bonvoy members can earn points from dining experiences at Henshin. Sign up for free here and enjoy Marriott Bonvoy points that can be redeemed for free stays and culinary experiences around the world.
For more information about Henshin, please visit Henshin website and The Westin Jakarta website, make an online reservation, and follow us on Instagram at @henshinjakarta and @thewestinjakarta.
THE WESTIN JAKARTA
Jalan H. R. Rasuna Said Kav. C-22A
Jakarta 12940 Indonesia
westinjakarta.com
T. +62 21 2788 7788
