home cooked japanese meals for those you call family.
about watanabe kitchen
Hi! I’m Niki, a private chef specializing in postpartum meals & intimate dining. Drawing from my bicultural background, I alchemize my love through cooking and am particularly passionate about how food plays a role in storytelling and cultural preservation.
I’ve had the privilege of sharing precious moments with my grandmother and mother in the kitchen—memorizing their hand movements and sneaking tastes of their umami-packed dishes, just as previous generations did. I leverage local produce and family recipes to challenge narrow mindsets around health and wellness. Rather than viewing food simply as sustenance, I believe in the power of communal dining and connecting people through the comforting, nourishing flavors of Japanese cuisine.
Services
Want to give a new mom of two a few nights off from cooking? Is a loved one sitting Shiva? Co-worker recovering from surgery? This option is for you.
These meals are highly customized—I’ll talk to you (and/or your recipient, if applicable) about dietary restrictions, aversions, and recovery points (i.e. blood or hair loss, supporting chest/breast-feeding, etc.) and will curate your menu accordingly. I prioritize local ingredients whenever possible, and include a detailed PDF of menu dishes + ingredients.
Japanese Postpartum Meals
Dinner parties, intimate family gatherings, birthdays—small to medium-sized event catering is my jam. I specialize in home-cooked, rustic meals that focus on nourishment and comfort.
Let’s feed your people, reach out here.
Private Events
POP UP EVENTS
POP UP EVENTS
OSHOGATSU Japanese New Years Party (SF / Denver, Annual)
CELEBRATING THE HARVEST MOON with Chef Jocelyn Ueng @ Stowaway Kitchen, Denver (Fall 2024)
UGUISU with Chef Amy Cohen @ Stowaway Kitchen, Denver (Spring 2025)
people say…
“My wife has been recovering from surgery, so a friend gave us a week's worth of meals from WK. Not only were the meals delicious, they couldn't have been easier to prepare—plus, Niki was able to create a menu that worked for everyone (veggie + meat eaters).”
— DF
“The meals we received from Niki were not only insanely delicious, but so thoughtfully prepared with healing ingredients for postpartum support. I felt so nourished and cared for, and the detailed PDF with the menu details about how the ingredients support healing was such a sweet touch. Cannot recommend Watanabe Kitchen more!”
— CS
“Words cannot even begin to describe how supportive Niki and her food have been to my healing process. She not only cooks incredibly delicious meals, but she’s also able to accommodate all of my dietary needs and goes above and beyond in times when I am not able to walk. I would recommend Niki over and over again!!”
— EG
"WK was so amazing in my postpartum period. Niki crafted such a beautiful menu with food tailored to my recovery needs (healing after a third-degree tear). The food was so delicious and nourishing. Will absolutely do it again if I ever have another!"
— AZ
“It was so lovely to have a meal that wasn’t heavy after giving birth—usually people bring casseroles and rich options, but Niki created the perfect combo of hearty + light. The flavors were amazing and the detailed menu was so cool—can’t wait to send this to my fellow pregnant and postpartum friends.”
— CH
“Niki’s meals are such an amazing, quick, and easy go-to when I am having a disregulated moment and need something warm, delicious, and nutritious to calm me back down. Has helped me survive the last week!”
— KH
work with me
If you’re looking to order postpartum meals, please click the “place an order” button above. If you’d like to work with me in another capacity, please fill out this form and I’ll get back to you ASAP ✹
