Inside Zaou: The Japanese diner that allows you to catch your own fish

TOKYO: A Japanese sushi restaurant provides the luxury of catching fish to its customers as per their preference.

Named Zaou, the restaurant believes in the idea of farm-to-table dining. It is built in the shape of a deck of a boat, so that customers feel that they are dining while on-board.

Customers are required to rent a fishing rod and get bait to catch fish from a tank located in the middle of the restaurant.

Whatever the customers manage to get in the fishing net is sent to the kitchens to be prepared the way they like: grilled, fried or as sushi.

Zaou is a brainchild of Takahashi brothers, Kazuhisa and Takuya Takahashi, who have successfully established the restaurant in 13 major locations across Japan and the US.

“Half the people we met said it’s a really interesting concept, and the other half said it’s impossible. That made us want to bring it more … Our food is very good [and] we expect people to enjoy the atmosphere and overall experience just as much,” said Kazuhisa.

The unique restaurant has given a new dimension to the dining experience of all its customers. Its new branch is set to inaugurate in New York City in February this year.