Chef Junzo: stories

Chef Junzo Miyajima, arms crossed, under sake banners and handwritten menu tags at Genki Izakaya

October 19, 2026

From Charity to Cosplay: Chef Junzo Miyajima Led Two of Rockville's Most Talked-About Food Festivals

Chef Junzo Miyajima led the BiteMe Charity Festival for the Maryland Food Bank in 2025 and Tomodachi Food Fest, the DMV's only anime food festival, with its cosplay runway in 2026. Both had free admission and took over the square in Rockville Town Center, and here is what each one offered.

Chef Junzo Miyajima in a black chef's jacket, arms crossed

October 18, 2026

Meet the Father of the Izakaya in the DMV: Chef Junzo Miyajima, the One Chef Behind the Region's Most Talked-About Japanese Restaurants

Izakaya after izakaya, plus yakiniku, shabu-shabu, a soufflé pancake café and the relaunch of the first Japanese-Brazilian steakhouse of its kind: one chef, Junzo Miyajima, is behind them all. How IVEA's Executive Master Chef redefined what a cozy, friendly Japanese restaurant should be, with the best-quality food at prices a whole family can enjoy.