Katsuya Uechi
Katsuya Uechi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 January 1959 Okinawa, Japan |
| Died | 24 June 2026 (aged 67) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Culinary career | |
| Cooking style | Sushi |
Previous restaurant
| |
| Website | www |
Katsuya Uechi (3 January 1959 – 24 June 2026) was a Japanese chef and restaurateur who co-founded the upscale sushi brand Katsuya. He was known for his innovative approach to Japanese cuisine and popularized Japanese-American fusion dishes, most notably "spicy tuna on crispy rice".[1][2]
Early life
Uechi was born in 1959 in Okinawa, Japan where he developed an early interest in the culinary arts.[1][3] He trained in traditional Edomae sushi techniques in Okinawa and Osaka before moving to the United States in 1984.[4]
Career
In 2006, Uechi partnered with the luxury hospitality company SBE (founded by Sam Nazarian) and renowned French designer Philippe Starck to launch "Katsuya" in Brentwood, California. The Katsuya brand expanded and opened locations in Hollywood, Las Vegas, Miami, and across the Middle East.[5][3]
He is widely recognized as one of the early pioneers of the "spicy tuna on crispy rice" dish, which became popular in Japanese restaurants in the United States.[1]
Death
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 Xu, Melody (2026-06-26). "Katsuya Uechi, pioneering sushi chef and creator of spicy tuna crispy rice, dies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2026-07-18.
- ↑ Abovian, Ellina (2026-06-25). "Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi Dies at 67". LAmag. Retrieved 2026-07-18.
- 1 2 3 Kim, Chiara (June 29, 2026). "Katsuya Uechi, Sushi Chef Named 'Creator' of Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Dies at 67".
- ↑ "Katsuya Uechi, who moved to the US in 1984 and heads a restaurant group". Discover Nikkei. 2018-11-23. Retrieved 2026-07-18.
- ↑ "Katsu-Ya Group". Retrieved 2026-07-18.
- ↑ Katsuya Uechi