When chefs Aaron Israel and Sawako 'Sawa' Okochi met in 2011, their bond was built on a shared passion for food. A year later, they moved in together, dreaming of one day opening a restaurant. But fate had other plans.

While visiting Okochi’s family in Japan, the couple received devastating news—their Brooklyn apartment had burned down. Left to start over, they decided to take a risk.

“We just said, ‘Why not? Let’s open a restaurant,’” Israel said.

That leap of faith led to Shalom Japan, a Williamsburg restaurant that fuses the Jewish and Japanese flavors they grew up with. For more than a decade, the restaurant has become known for dishes like wagyu pastrami sandwiches, matzo ball ramen and lox-and-wasabi-topped challah—a menu that celebrates their combined heritage.

Just last year, the couple expanded their vision - they opened Toki Doki, a small café next door that serves Japanese comfort food.

“A good reason to come here is to see what happens when two people from two completely different backgrounds come together and build something through food,” Israel said.

Shalom Japan remains a testament to resilience, culture and the flavors that bring people together.