Studio Khonsu
WE ARE A CREATIVE CONTENT, BRAND AND STRATEGY STUDIO

YŪGIN NYC

YŪGIN RESTAURANT

Once Now Never Again is an expression of tradition and purity

CONTENT, VIDEO

An intimate cinematic portrait of Chef Yūgin, one of New York’s youngest three-Michelin-star chefs, whose artistry and precision define the pinnacle of contemporary omakase dining. Set against the moody, architectural backdrop of New York City, the film follows Yūgin in the days leading up to the opening of his new restaurant — Once Now, Never Again. Through restrained, tactile cinematography and poetic pacing, the film reveals a world of quiet intensity, where pursuit of perfection is both an act of devotion and surrender.

Directed by Adam Slama and produced by Studio Khonsu, the piece is a meditation on craftsmanship, impermanence, and presence — the essence of ichigo ichie, the Japanese philosophy of cherishing the unrepeatable moment. Each frame lingers on the rhythm of Yūgin’s process — the sharpening of a blade, the glaze of a ceramic, the subtle rise of steam — creating a visual poem that honours the unseen labour behind mastery. Elegant, minimal, and timeless, Once Now, Never Again embodies the philosophy of quiet luxury: understated, immaculate, and deeply human.

 

Directed by: Adam Slama

Creative by: Peter Roden

Produced by: Studio Khonsu

Director of Photography: Josh Knox

 

YŪGIN RESTAURANT — VIDEO

Alongside the film, we also captured a series of still photographs showcasing the restaurant’s interiors, signature dishes, and the intimate atmosphere surrounding Chef Yūgin and his world.

YŪGIN RESTAURANT — PHOTOGRAPHY

YŪGIN NYC

YŪGIN RESTAURANT

Once Now Never Again is an expression of tradition and purity

CONTENT, VIDEO

An intimate cinematic portrait of Chef Yūgin, one of New York’s youngest three-Michelin-star chefs, whose artistry and precision define the pinnacle of contemporary omakase dining. Set against the moody, architectural backdrop of New York City, the film follows Yūgin in the days leading up to the opening of his new restaurant — Once Now, Never Again. Through restrained, tactile cinematography and poetic pacing, the film reveals a world of quiet intensity, where pursuit of perfection is both an act of devotion and surrender.

Directed by Adam Slama and produced by Studio Khonsu, the piece is a meditation on craftsmanship, impermanence, and presence — the essence of ichigo ichie, the Japanese philosophy of cherishing the unrepeatable moment. Each frame lingers on the rhythm of Yūgin’s process — the sharpening of a blade, the glaze of a ceramic, the subtle rise of steam — creating a visual poem that honours the unseen labour behind mastery. Elegant, minimal, and timeless, Once Now, Never Again embodies the philosophy of quiet luxury: understated, immaculate, and deeply human.

 

Directed by: Adam Slama

Creative by: Peter Roden

Produced by: Studio Khonsu

Director of Photography: Josh Knox

 

Alongside the film, we also captured a series of still photographs showcasing the restaurant’s interiors, signature dishes, and the intimate atmosphere surrounding Chef Yūgin and his world.