A portrait of Japanese master chef Hiroji Obayashi and his wife Yasuyo over a sixteen-year year span as they managed the day to day operation of their LA restaurant Hirozen Gourmet.
Direction
Sixteen years of trust earned, not footage manufactured.
Writing
No narration needed — the Obayashis speak in actions, not exposition.
Director
Lynn Hamrick
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Hirozen Gourmet operated for over 30 years on Beverly Boulevard before closing in 2020 — this film preserves a Los Angeles that no longer exists.
Director Lynn Hamrick was a regular customer who simply asked permission to film; the Obayashis initially thought she'd lose interest in weeks. She stayed for sixteen years.
US
