Rie Shimizu

Rie is a skilled chef and owner of Darna, a Moroccan deli in Yoyogi-Uehara, Tokyo. With a background in culinary arts and pastry-making, Rie trained in France, where her interest in Moroccan culture and cuisine began. After returning to Japan and opening her own shop, she was invited to work at a restaurant in Casablanca, Morocco. This experience deepened her passion for Moroccan cooking as she immersed herself in local cuisine, learning traditional home recipes from Moroccan friends and colleagues.

Rie opened Darna in April 2023 to introduce the flavors of Moroccan home cooking to Japanese audiences in a welcoming, takeout format. Located in the Uehara Station Shopping Street, the shop offers daily rotating dishes like tagine and couscous, as well as authentic spices and Moroccan products. Named after the Moroccan word for “our home,” Darna has quickly become a place where customers feel at home, drawn in by Rie’s culinary expertise and warm hospitality.