Chizuko Kimura, the world’s first Michelin-starred female sushi chef
The Michelin Guide counts six Japanese Michelin-starred chefs working in France. Among them is Chizuko Kimura, widow of the late Michelin-starred chef Shunei Kimura. Remarkably, their restaurant Sushi Shunei, in Montmartre, is the first sushi restaurant in the world ever to receive a Michelin star. A wonderful story of perseverance, tradition and excellence.
CHIZUKO KIMURA: A JOURNEY SHAPED BY LOVE AND RESILIENCE
Chizuko Kimura’s story begins with uncommon passion and determination. Born in Japan, she grew up in a country where the art of sushi is an ancestral craft, long reserved for men. From an early age, she immersed herself in this demanding culinary tradition alongside her husband, a renowned chef, with whom she shared the dream of opening a restaurant.
When he passed away prematurely, Chizuko Kimura faced a double challenge: grief, and the responsibility of keeping their restaurant alive. Driven by her love for her husband and her desire to honour their shared dream, she chose to take over the restaurant—despite the doubts of a deeply traditional profession.
This bold decision became a true test of resilience. In a male-dominated world, Chizuko Kimura had to prove her legitimacy not only as a woman but also as a chef. Day after day, she refined her technique, upheld the codes of tradition and infused them with her own sensibility. Her strength of character and relentless pursuit of perfection allowed her to overcome obstacles and earn the respect of her peers.
INSIDE SUSHI SHUNEI: A SANCTUARY OF ARTISANAL SUSHI
In Montmartre, Sushi Shunei is the intimate jewel box where Chizuko Kimura carries on the dream she built with her husband, Shunei Kimura. After his passing, she took her place behind the counter, trained tirelessly and ultimately regained, in 2025, the Michelin star her husband had earned in 2022. She thus became the first Michelin-starred female sushi chef in the world.
The restaurant embraces a refined and minimalist Japanese aesthetic: light wood, a central intimate counter with only a dozen seats, and a spectacular “origami” ceiling designed by architects—an experience that brings diners as close as possible to the chef’s gesture. Guests sit at the counter, in the spirit of edomae: tasting directly in front of the chef. Direct interaction, precise slicing and the perfect rice temperature are integral to the ritual. As Chizuko Kimura reminds us: “After a few dozen seconds, the rice begins to separate and loses its ideal temperature. It must never be cold.”
Chizuko Kimura works alongside Chef Takeshi Morooka, a master sushi chef with several decades of experience. Together, they craft a pure, understated interpretation of sushi, emphasising fish maturation, knife precision and Japanese-style hospitality.
CHIZUKO KIMURA: THE FIRST MICHELIN-STARRED FEMALE SUSHI CHEF IN HISTORY
The first Michelin-starred female chef was Élisa Blanc in 1929, and today the world counts 33 Michelin-starred women. But Chizuko is the first woman to be Michelin-starred in the discipline of sushi—a recognition that goes far beyond her own restaurant and resonates symbolically in a field long dominated by men.
Earning a Michelin star as a sushi chef is already a rare achievement, given how uncompromising the standards of precision, consistency and excellence are. But for a woman—within a discipline considered in Japan as almost exclusively male—this distinction carries even greater weight. Chizuko Kimura had to overcome doubt, face resistance and prove every day that her technique, precision and soul were equal to those of her male counterparts.
The star rewards not only the flawless quality of her sushi—the freshness, the controlled maturation of the fish—but also her ability to impart a unique emotional sensibility, where tradition meets personal expression. This distinction marks a turning point for global gastronomy: it opens the way for a new generation of women in the art of sushi and reminds us that culinary luxury, like all creative fields, thrives on diversity.
CHIZUKO KIMURA, A SYMBOL OF EXCELLENCE: TRAIN WITH SUP DE LUXE
Chizuko Kimura’s story illustrates how passion, discipline and high standards lead to excellence in gastronomy. Her journey inspires those who aspire to careers where craftsmanship meets boldness and global perspective. This is precisely the vision behind Sup de Luxe’s Master of Science Food & Wine International Management. This flagship programme trains the future leaders of luxury gastronomy and wine, combining academic expertise, immersion within prestigious maisons and a deep understanding of the cultural and economic forces shaping a constantly reinvented sector.
Sushi Shunei offers three menus ranging from €150 to €250. It may not be inexpensive—but remember, it is a Michelin-starred restaurant. And above all, make sure to book well in advance: seating is extremely limited! Enjoy your tasting…