The Biwa Story

Gabe Rosen, Proprietor, Biwa Restaurant

The Biwa Story: Establishing and Managing A Japanese-style Pub in Portland

Success Stories of Oregon and Japan Doing Business Together

May 7, 2013 | 6pm

238 Smith Memorial Student Union, 1825 SW Broadway

In 1995, Gabe Rosen dropped out of his undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa to become a dishwasher in a local restaurant. Today he and his wife Kina own and operate a successful and critically acclaimed izakaya (a casual Japanese tavern-style restaurant) in Portland, Oregon.

In this informal talk about his personal experiences, Gabe will discuss how an initial interest in fussy modern haute cuisine was transformed through an amazing university experience in PSU’s Japanese Studies program, the Japanese Ministry of Education, some great chefs, and a really supportive wife and partner into a career as a Japanese tavern owner and, most of the time, a happy cook.

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence: PSU’s Japanese Language Program, a Regional, National, and International Resource

Photo of Gabe Rosen