How do the Nobu menus differ to suit the tastes of different regions?

All of the restaurants have the same standard menu when they first open. But after three months, we take the Nobu style and add the influence of local cuisine. For example, in Hong Kong, we add things like XO sauce, black beans and lotus leaves.

What are some Hong Kong-influenced dishes?

We have fresh sashimi with XO sauce – but it’s called 'XO salsa'. The salsa has dried scallops and shrimp with oil, chopped onions, cilantro and ponzu sauce. We top this on to fresh fish.

What do you eat in Hong Kong?

When I come to Hong Kong, I always stay at the InterContinental Hotel. For meals, I often go to the hotel’s Cantonese restaurant, Yan Toh Heen. Sometimes our staff goes outside together to seafood restaurants. Last year we went to Lei Yue Mun, and this time we went to Sai Kung. It’s fun, because I can choose my own fish and have the restaurant cook it. I think this is a very interesting Hong Kong-style way of eating.

Are business trips all work and no play?

I love to play golf. When I go to London, New York or Australia, if I have time, I play golf. Sometimes I play in tournaments when I’m chef at the event. For example, this January I was in Hawaii, and there was the Sony Open, a PGA golf tournament. So I cooked for the VIPs and played in the pro-am. You know, this is combining work and play. But to really relax, I don’t want to see anybody. Even my phone is switched off.

You already travel so much for work, so where do you go for holidays?

Two and a half years ago, I built a house in Hakone in Japan. The area has a natural hot spring, and the house faces a beautiful landscape with mountains and the ocean. I would stay for five to six days. Some days I don’t see anybody, since I don’t have to go outside – because I’m a chef, I can open the fridge and cook a very good meal, nothing fancy. Then I go to the hot spring, call for a massage, and in the morning and afternoon I use the gym. Also, I like oceans. So for vacations, I like to go to islands, such as the Caicos, and Fiji, where I can see the ocean, scuba, fish from a boat and enjoy time with my family.