Maiko Kyogoku

Maiko Kyogoku is the owner and founder of Bessou, a Japanese restaurant located in New York City. Growing up in a restaurant family on the Upper West Side, she was deeply influenced by her father's sushi restaurant, Rikyu, which operated for about 30 years. Despite her early exposure to the restaurant industry, she initially pursued a career in children's publishing and later worked in the art world alongside contemporary artist Takashi Murakami. However, her passion for restaurants eventually led her back to the culinary field.

In 2016, after gaining extensive experience in restaurant management with notable figures like Daniel Boulud and the Bromberg Brothers, Kyogoku opened Bessou. The restaurant aims to celebrate Japanese home cooking and provide a sense of comfort and warmth through its offerings. The name "Bessou" translates to "home away from home," reflecting her desire to share her love for Japanese cuisine and family traditions.123

Kyogoku's vision for Bessou is to create a space that embodies the hospitality of Japanese culture, known as omotenashi, while serving modern interpretations of traditional dishes. The restaurant has received critical acclaim from various food publications, highlighting its unique approach to Japanese-American comfort food.23