NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's Tokyo Food Map Revealed: Hosts Tech Leaders at Izakaya

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang recently visited Japan, sparking interest not only in his company's collaborations with Japanese firms but also in his "Tokyo food map."

On the evening of June 15, Huang arrived at "YAKITON (やきとん) Sanji Kanda North Exit Store," a casual izakaya in Tokyo's Kanda district. Known for his fondness for local Asian cuisine, NVIDIA's Japan branch booked the entire establishment a week in advance, extending invitations to attendees.

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Japan is back.

The report highlighted that during previous visits to Japan, Huang had frequented the "Kyushu Jangara" tonkotsu ramen shop. This time, due to a preceding event in nearby Akihabara, the Japan branch opted for the Kanda izakaya. Despite the last-minute invitation, the gathering attracted numerous high-ranking executives from major companies. Attendees included presidents and CEOs from Kioxia, Renesas Electronics, Tokyo Electron, Panasonic, Murata Manufacturing, Taiyo Yuden, Shin-Etsu Chemical, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Asahi Kasei, Resonac, and Ajinomoto.

NVIDIA stated that 45 people from 30 semiconductor-related companies attended. The izakaya served affordable dishes such as grilled diaphragm skewers for 165 yen (about $1.10) and French fries for 418 yen (about $2.80). Huang, a known fan of tonkotsu ramen, also reportedly enjoyed a "motsunabe" (innards hot pot) for two, priced at 1,936 yen (about $13).

Whiskey experts were present, and Huang personally distributed Japanese whiskey to the attendees. He repeatedly expressed gratitude and encouragement to the Japanese industry, telling those present, "Japan is back." Masataka Osaki, representative of NVIDIA Japan, remarked, "Japan's semiconductor industry has experienced difficult times in the past, but today we are talking about revitalizing this industry together."

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Japan's semiconductor industry has experienced difficult times in the past, but today we are talking about revitalizing this industry together.

The gathering extended an hour beyond its scheduled time, concluding around 9 p.m. One executive from a major electrical equipment company described Huang as "very approachable and able to express his ideas clearly." Another attendee noted, "He is someone who is changing the world with artificial intelligence (AI). We hope to help him, even just a little." Resonac President Hidehito Takahashi stated, "I deeply resonate with Jensen Huang's beliefs. Resonac will also contribute to the development of the semiconductor industry through materials technology."

As Huang left the venue to see off some departing guests, he distributed red bean buns and bottled drinks to media personnel gathered outside. The following day, June 16, Huang had lunch at "FUMIZEN Toranomon Hills" in Tokyo with CEOs from Fujitsu, FANUC, Yaskawa Electric, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

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He is very approachable and able to express his ideas clearly.

The report also noted Huang's similar practice of hosting local business leaders at affordable restaurants during his visits to South Korea and Taiwan. In June, he met with T1 captain "Faker" Lee Sang-hyeok at a PC bang run by the esports team and gifted him the latest graphics card. He also dined with South Korean tech executives at a Korean barbecue restaurant in Hongdae, with attendees including SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, and NAVER Chairman Lee Hae-jin. A website tracking Huang's "footprints" was even created by South Koreans.

In Taiwan, Huang has hosted numerous banquets for supply chain partners, including five "Trillion Yuan Banquets" at "Zhuan Yao Ancient Taste Nostalgic Restaurant" between 2024 and 2026. Online, Taiwanese netizens have compiled "Jensen Huang's Taiwan Food Map," featuring establishments like "Hua Niang Restaurant" and "Fu Ba Wang Braised Pork," as well as his regular stop at "Taipei Yu Zhan Preserved Fruit Store," demonstrating the "follow Huang" trend wherever he goes.

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He is someone who is changing the world with artificial intelligence (AI). We hope to help him, even just a little.