Sushi Chef Yoshi Ota recently announced the opening of Sushi Gaku in Georgetown at 1338 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007, with its official grand opening on May 21, 2025.
“I am so honored to join this historical area in Washington and am excited to introduce my Sushi dishes, which I have dedicated my life to cooking for 40 years,” says Chef Yoshi. “I am planning to serve traditional sushi as well as a different style that our guests have never seen before.”
Bethany Kazaba, CEO and Managing Principal at Neighborhood Retail Group, worked with Chef Yoshi to secure Sushi Gakyu’s location near the White House almost 10 years ago and is honored to assist with the new Sushi Gaku location in Georgetown. “Chef Yoshi’s entrepreneurial spirit is a testament to his dedication to his profession and the culinary industry,” says Kazaba. “I’m excited about the opening of Sushi Gaku, which offers an exclusive and exemplary dining experience in Georgetown.”
One signature dish at Sushi Gaku will be Traditional Style Nigiri Sushi. This Edo Style Nigiri Sushi is prepared with akazu (dark vinegar), sushi rice, and perfectly balanced fish pieces. Chef Yoshi will also serve regular Nigiri with white sushi rice, as well as Maki and other casual Japanese dishes.
Chef Yoshi has been interested in the roots of sushi for a long time. He is planning to serve very fermented ancient-style sushi for the upcoming Omakase course, which will debut after the opening, as it takes at least 2 months to prepare.
In addition, he is one of the only chefs in the area to hold a Fugu or Pufferfish preparation license. “I’m honored to bring authentic Japanese cuisine and my philosophy of cooking, eating, and drinking to the United States,” Chef Yoshi adds.
Born in Hokkaido, Japan, Chef Yoshi began his culinary career at the prestigious ANA International Tokyo restaurant in Tokyo, Japan. For the past 40 years, he has practiced the art of sushi making in the United States and Japan, including work at New York’s legendary Sushi Den.
While still in his early 30s, he opened the doors to his own restaurant in the heart of Ginza, Tokyo. For more than a decade, Ginza Gakyu attracted both locals and international connoisseurs, often praised for serving high-quality, inventive sushi in a friendly atmosphere.
Since coming to the United States, he was one of the founders of Kushi Izakaya and Sushi in downtown DC and was the head Sushi Chef and Sake Sommelier at Sushiko in Chevy Chase, Maryland. His restaurant debut began with Yuzu in Bethesda, Maryland, then Sushi Gakyu a block from the White House, and now the opening of his latest restaurant, Sushi Gaku in Georgetown.
Sushi Gaku opened on May 21 with dinner served from 5-10 p.m. For more information, including additional menu items and reservations, visit www.sushigaku.com.
