Nakamura.ke FAQ
What is THE Nakamura.Ke Mobile Kitchen?
The Nakamura.ke Mobile Kitchen is a mobile dining experience showcasing high-end glow-in-the-dark food and cocktails created by award-winning chefs and designers.
Unlike a typical bar or club, the Nakamura.ke {House of Nakamura} is a totally immersive dining experience including theatrics, storytelling, art, and folklore.
AFTER ITS DEBUT IN ATLANTA, WHERE IS IT GOING?
Nakamura.ke plans to make stops around the globe through 2020; beginning this summer in Charlotte, NC and Los Angeles, CA. More locations announced soon. Sign up for the Nakamura.ke Newsletter (available on the main page) to be the first to know!
WHO CREATED IT?
Dashboard: Nakamura.ke Founder, Managing Partner
Zoo as Zoo: Nakamura.ke Founder, Chief Creative
Bompas & Parr: Nakamura.ke Lumen Menu Developer
8ARM: Chef/Owner, Nhan Le, Nakamura.ke Executive Chef with Skip Engelbrecht & Duane Kulers
NinePound: Nakamura.ke Mobile Kitchen Fabricator
Frank Nitty: Designer / Animator
How does it work?
If you’re lucky enough to get a ticket, here’s the deal :: the ticketed dining experience in the mobile kitchen will last 30 minutes. When purchasing a ticket, guests will select a specific date and 30 minute time slot. Each ticket reserves one seat at the mobile kitchen for one 30 minute meal (and one full experience). The kitchen seats six people at a time; thus, guests may purchase up to 6 tickets per time slot.
When should I get there / how long should I stay?
Please arrive on site at least 15 minutes before your selected dining time frame. Upon arriving, you will be greeted by members of the Nakamura family and learn of their story as they explore the menu.
What is Nakamura.Ke about?
Five hundred and nine years ago at the turn of the century, human records show the first sighting of the Nakamuras—a family of yokai. They lived harmoniously amongst us, running their family ramen business at night to serve other yokais. Their secret recipe was very popular amongst the spirits. During their busy nights, the restaurant would turn into a carnival, so rowdy that sometimes the festive commotion even reached human senses.
On one fated night, a formidable storm swept through town and engulfed everything in its path. The rising moon casted an ominous shadow on barren earth. The following morning, the Nakamura’s parents went missing. Their mysterious disappearance left their offspring in a frenzy. With the absence of an overhead figure, business took a consequential toll. There was no choice but to close shop indefinitely.
All of the children went separate ways in an attempt to build a new life for themselves.
Years after, as the screen faded and the dust began to settle, the Nakamura children reunited at the old ramen shop to commemorate their parents. The memorial carried on peacefully until the stove suddenly turned on by itself. Produce started glowing. Utensils started vibrating vigorously, beckoning to be held. The children followed the illuminated objects as they moved through the kitchen. Something was trying to show them their parent’s process of ramen making.
It dawned on them that remnants of their parents' spirits still lingered on by way of their legacy—the secret recipe. They realized that unless they mastered it, they would lose the little that was left of their parents too. Determined, they decided to open the shop again. Every full moon or so, the noodle would glow brightest and the children’s dream would come so close to manifestation, only to watch the light dim back down again.
To this day, the parents' whereabouts remains a mystery. But fruitless results don’t waver their faith. The Nakamura children and their mobile kitchen embarked on a lifetime search, chasing after the brightest full moon around the globe in hopes of a reunion with their parents.
The Nakamura.ke family, art, and story — created by Zoo as Zoo.
Nakamura.ke kitchen and experiences curated and produced by Dashboard.
Who created the menu?
Developed by London’s Bompas & Parr, all items at Nakamura are made with natural ingredients by this award winning global experiential kitchen. The food is prepared onsite at Nakamura by the chefs of 8arm (lead by Executive Chef, Nhan Le, supported by Duane Kulers and Skip Engelbrecht); all cuisine and beverage are designed with a lumen aspect that heightens the senses.
* There will be gluten-free and vegetarian options available.
* All guests must be 18 or older.