After 14 Years of Cozy Omakase, ICHI Sushi Is Closed for Good

ICHI Sushi, the Mission Street restaurant known for its approachable omakase experience as well as its tightly edited menu of rolls, small plates, and salads, won’t reopen when the pandemic ends, owners Tim and Erin Archuleta announced Tuesday night. They’re now hoping to sell their business to someone who will take over the Bernal Heights-adjacent space and make it their own.

Tablehopper was the first with the news, writing that the Archuletas, who had completely shuttered the business when the pandemic first hit, “just don’t see a path to reopening soon.”

One obvious factor is Tim’s health. He’s always been the spot’s chef since it opened in 2006, but in 2016 he fell so ill that the business — which had grown so popular that it had expanded into a second location just up the street — downsized into its original, smaller space. The situation was dire enough that 12 fellow businesses, including Corridor, Flour & Water, Namu Gaji, PizzaHacker, Deli Board, Lolinda, Waterbar, and the Front Porch, mounted a fundraiser for the Archuletas to help defray their healthcare and related costs.

The business — and Tim — managed to recover, but the pandemic proved too much for ICHI, the Archuletas say, and the business is permanently closed. “Please DM us if you’re interested in the space we loved so well,” ICHI says via Twitter. The news has already prompted an outpouring of grief from the restaurant’s many fans, who mourned its sustainable seafood, friendly atmosphere, and more.