Minneapolis Chef Shigeyuki Furukawa Named James Beard Finalist

Kado no Mise's longtime maestro of Japanese tradition earns prestigious nomination.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:39am

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Shigeyuki Furukawa, the chef behind Minneapolis restaurant Kado no Mise, has been named a finalist for the 2026 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Midwest. Furukawa has spent decades faithfully preserving Japanese culinary traditions and wowing diners with his sushi and omakase meals that are considered among the best in the state and country.

Why it matters

Furukawa's James Beard nomination shines a national spotlight on the Minneapolis restaurant scene and the city's ability to sustain a temple to traditional Japanese culinary art. His recognition celebrates the work of preserving cultural traditions and creating transcendent dining experiences that transport guests.

The details

Kado no Mise is known for its thoughtful, spiritual approach to Japanese cuisine, with dishes that feel like "a prayer, or a poem that you can eat." Furukawa's chawanmushi, a savory egg custard dish, is considered one of the premier dishes in Minnesota. The restaurant has also been a perennial fixture on Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's MSP 50: Best Restaurants list.

  • The 2026 James Beard Award finalists were announced in March 2026.
  • Kado no Mise has been serving traditional Japanese fare in Minneapolis for decades.

The players

Shigeyuki Furukawa

The chef and owner of Kado no Mise, a Minneapolis restaurant known for its faithful preservation of Japanese culinary traditions and its acclaimed sushi and omakase meals.

Kado no Mise

A Minneapolis restaurant that has spent decades serving as a temple to traditional Japanese cuisine, earning acclaim for its thoughtful, spiritual approach to dishes that transport diners.

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What’s next

The winner of the 2026 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Midwest will be announced at the annual James Beard Awards ceremony in May 2026.

The takeaway

Shigeyuki Furukawa's James Beard nomination celebrates the enduring power of traditional Japanese culinary artistry and the ability of Minneapolis to foster and sustain a restaurant that elevates these timeless practices to a transcendent level.