I like the boldness of French sauces mixed with Asian flavours. The Asian influence in the US culinary scene is nothing new, notes Mr Yamaguchi. The difference is that now, more people are taking notice and appreciating it. I can walk into a coffee shop in a small town in Florida and find something like a teriyaki chicken, or I can go to a fancy restaurant in New York that uses lemongrass in its cooking. If ever a menu could be called globally appealing, Mr Yamaguchi's would surely qualify.
People go through phases.
That's why you have to offer a lot of things on the menu. Creative people need to create. Away from the business, however, his personal taste in food is simple, reflecting his Japanese roots. I like to eat out - just a bowl of ramen noodles. I like it when someone else cooks for me.