Tokyo’s Hashida Sushi Will Open First US Outpost in SF’s Union Square

San Francisco’s appetite for Asian-based expansions shows no sign of abating, with spots like BAKE, a Japanese cheese tart kiosk in Westfield Center, Ramen Nagi in Palo Alto, and the promise of a Michelin-starred ramen shop making waves. Now comes news that Singapore-based Japanese chef Kenjiro “Hatch” Hashida will open an expansion of Hashida Sushi in San Francisco’s Hotel Abri in August.

Hashida Sushi’s SF location will open next door to Hotel Abri at 125 Ellis, in what was previously a Cold Stone Creamery. On the other side of the hotel at Ellis and O’Farrell, Puccini & Pinetti will continue to serve hotel guests Italian lunch and dinner, according to management at the hotel.

Though well-known in Tokyo and Singapore, the Hashida brand seems to have flown under the radar outside of Asia, despite its popularity and the younger Hashida’s reputation as a creative savant. Now, Hashida is expanding the brand started by his father, Tokyo Hashida, in Tokyo, where he continues to run Hashida Sushi Tokyo; the the Singapore branch closed in mid-June. This new project is the result of Hashida’s partnership with Cloud Eight, an offshoot of Singaporean brand company LifeBrandz. More restaurants are planned for Singapore and Tokyo as well.

Sushi at Hashida Sushi’s other locations is typically nigiri, served omakase-style with options for starters and dessert. A liquor license indicates that the restaurant will serve beer and wine, though no details on SF’s menu are available. Eater has reached out for more details.

• Hashida Sushi chef Kenjiro ‘Hatch’ Hashida reveals plans for the future [The Peak]
• LifeBrandz [Official]