Chika Kuramoto, a 62-year-old entrepreneur, has opened CSK Kitchen in San Francisco’s Sunset district. The restaurant serves traditional Japanese grab-and-go food, including onigiri and bento boxes.
A Passion for Cooking
Kuramoto’s love for cooking started at a young age, learning from her mother and grandmother in Japan. She recalls her mother making everything from scratch, with the exception of French fries, which were bought frozen.
After moving to San Francisco in 1990, Kuramoto worked as a banker and later as a preschool teacher. However, her passion for cooking remained strong, and she eventually started a catering business, which led to the opening of CSK Kitchen.
A Family Affair
Kuramoto’s children, who grew up watching their mother cook, now check in with her regularly to ensure she is taking care of herself. Despite her busy schedule, Kuramoto remains committed to serving authentic Japanese food to the community.
CSK Kitchen is open six days a week, and Kuramoto hires friends and friends of friends to help her with the business. She values their input and advice on what dishes to serve next, creating a calm and collaborative kitchen environment.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.