The chance of meeting him in the restaurant is non-existent. He doesn’t exist. The name comes from the Canarian equivalent Juan Perez.

It was the favorite reference of the time among the staff of the airline Trans Air, at the time they flew from Bulltofta in Malmö. The company was closed down and two stewards had the idea to open a simpler tavern on home soil. With tiles on the walls and floors, and the best of fish and shellfish on the menu. When Saluhallen at Lilla Torg opened in 1982, the dreams could come true.

Juan Perez became Johan Persson and later Johan P. The fourth fish chef, Kenneth Inglesson from Gothenburg, took over in the early 90s. And ten years later it was time for the current owners Niklas Billsten and Joakim Nilsson to take the concept further.

In 2014, Johan P moved to the current premises, on Hjulhamnsgatan a stone’s throw away. Once in the old Malmö Spritförsäljnings AB’s stately restaurant. The atmosphere is still alive from the beginning of the last century.

The latest renovation was done in 2024 with a new bar, new booths, sofas and wall decorations. Johan P lives on with his time, if only in spiritual contact with Las Canteras in Gran Canaria.