Intimate Omakase-Only Sushi Bar Coming to Convoy

The ultimate sushi-eating experience, a multi-course, chef’s choice menu called omakase, will be the main focus of a new Japanese eatery opening on Convoy Street this July. Influenced by trend-setting sushi bars, including New York City’s Sushi on Jones, Hidden Fish will combine traditional technique, top quality seafood, and speed. Inside its 1,000-square-foot jewel box-sized space, the 13-seat sushi bar will dedicate eight seats for a 30-minute, 12-piece omakase menu for $50 while five seats will be reserved for a more leisurely 90-minute meal featuring 18 pieces for $90.

With 14 years of professional sushi-making under his belt, chef John Hong wants to show that a premium sushi experience can be enjoyed at a quick pace without sacrificing quality. After all, Tokyo’s beloved Sukiyabashi Jiro, the subject of the documentary film “Jiro Dreams of Sushi”, allots just a half-hour for its omakase menus which cost hundreds of dollars.

Known locally as Chef Kappa, Hong was the lead sushi chef at the Gaslamp’s Bang Bang restaurant since its inception in 2013. At Hidden Fish, his menu will include local sea urchin and spot prawns as well as a rotating selection of seafood from Japan’s famous Tsukiji Fish Market. Sample nigiri could include sea bream with radish ponzu, yuzu zest, sea salt, and micro shiso or scallop and uni with plum salt and pickled wasabi root.

Though diners will have to relinquish their sushi bar seats when their 30 or 90-minute dining sessions are up, there will be a separate lounge area for pre-or-post meal relaxing with a glass of beer, wine or sake.