The extension of the Fukuoka City Subway Nanakuma Line to Hakata Station, a gateway to Northern Kyushu, in 2023 has improved access to the southwestern parts of Fukuoka City from outside of Fukuoka Prefecture. Situated five minutes on foot from Ropponmatsu Station on the Nanakuma Line, Syn is housed in a building (with parking lots) close to Ohori Park, an urban oasis, in the cultural and educational district dotted with civic amenities, such as the Fukuoka Art Museum.
The restaurant is helmed by Chef Naoto Ohno, who graduated from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), also known as the Harvard of Haute Cuisine, in New York City and subsequently honed his culinary skills at various restaurants in seven countries across the globe, ranging from world-famous restaurants to homey local favorites, such as the NoMad (a one-star restaurant) and Alinea (a three-star restaurant) in the US, recte (a one-star restaurant) in Japan, Fäviken (a two-star restaurant; now permanently closed) in Sweden, Central in Peru, and Droggeria della Rossa in Italy. He has visited 42 countries carrying only a backpack, kitchen knives, and a few utensils. On these journeys, he encountered producers and worked at local restaurants to learn local cooking philosophies and techniques. His life was even featured in a documentary TV program. Moreover, in 2022, he made the list of finalists for RED U-35, a culinary competition for young chefs under 35.
The concept of the restaurant is “Cuisine et Voyage.” Building his life around the two pillars of cooking and traveling, Chef Ohno takes culinary inspiration from the people and cultures he encountered on his journeys and creates elegant French dishes with flavors of different cuisines and a touch of homemade goodness. For example, the butter-aging technique used to enhance the flavors of beef on the entrée menu is one of the methods he learned abroad.
The ingredients are mostly sourced from producers the chef met on his journeys. He uses Japanese ingredients, such as “Living in Nature” Tomatoes from Harumitsu Sogai in Setana, Hokkaido, Hanaga Jersey beef from Yuboku-no-Sato in Ehime, and asparagus from Hiroki Hasegawa, JETFARM, in Assabu Town, Hokkaido, as well as ingredients and seasonings he purchases from overseas, such as hazel nuts and truffles from Piemonte, Italy.
The drink menu offers a wide variety of wines, ranging from Bourgogne vintages to natural wines, Japanese sake, and whiskies, selected from around Japan and the world. There is also a food and drink pairing menu.
Syn boasts a modern, wooden interior dotted with primitive accents for relaxing vibes. With a 10-seat counter and a six-seat private room, the restaurant can accommodate children above the age of 16 or old enough to have the same meals as adults. In addition, international guests are served in English by the chef himself.
In the main dining room, diners at the fan-shaped counter having gently curving wood grain can watch the chef preparing their food in front of their eyes. The restaurant is perfect for romantic dates, intimate dinners, and gastronomic adventures for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or nationality. The restaurant’s name, Syn, is derived from the words “symphony,” “synchronization,” and “symbiosis.” Let’s embark on a journey to a world full of flavors!
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* The availability of this webpage does not guarantee that the restaurant presented provides services in English, unless otherwise stated. Please be aware that English services may also depend on staff availability at the restaurant.
Access.
5-minute walk from Ropponmatsu Station on the Nanakuma Line.
