Flavours Of Japan

Foodies, take note. Koi Sushi has arrived at the Super Valu Towne Centre on 144 Constant Spring Road. Marrying traditional Japanese finesse with bold Jamaican flair, the new outpost promises maximum flavour in every bite.

Koi Sushi Super Valu Towne Centre 144 Constant Spring Rd, Kingston 8, St Andrew (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Eager for our own Japanese fix, Thursday Food visited the stylish new spot last week Thursday. The offerings cater to every palate, bridging raw indulgence — consider Sashimi Sampler with tuna, yellowtail, and salmon — and cooked specialities like Teriyaki Chicken roll or the island-accented Scotchie Shrimp roll, boasting a spicy Scotch bonnet punch. For substantial mains, look no further than the miso-glazed salmon or the beef yaki noodles.

Koi Sushi’s bar area (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Behind the bar, the Japanese influence remains unmistakable with sake-infused mixology. Cocktails like the Lychee Sake Spritz and the Tokyo Mule offer a crisp, inventive alternative to conventional drink menus, delivering a refreshing balance of traditional finesse and modern flair.

Tokyo Mule cocktail (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

What began in 2021 as a pandemic-era takeout concept on Hillcrest Avenue took full flight in 2022 as a complete dining destination. Through co-principals Lisa-Gaye and Kirk Chin and Chef Shuzo Hanasaki, the brand swiftly cemented its presence, captivating local palates whose appetite for premium sushi remained steadfast — even amidst limited opening hours and without a dedicated dining space. “Our patrons didn’t mind eating [sushi] from boxes because of how great the sushi was. And the partnership that we shared with Chef Hanasaki was because of the love that he puts in his food as well,” Lisa-Gaye told Thursday Food. “So, we said, you know what? People love this so much, let’s turn this into a sushi restaurant.”

The seating area inside Koi Sushi (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

That success is evident in the brand’s steady evolution for the past four years, which culminated in a move to the more spacious Super Valu Towne Centre. The relocation answers a clear surge in consumer demand while bringing a refreshed ethnic dining experience to the neighbourhood.

Koi Sushi co-principal Lisa-Gaye Chin and Chef Shuzo Hanasaki welcome Thursday Food to Koi Sushi.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)

“In the stretch between Constant Spring and Manor Park, we were really lacking options because Kingston 6 is usually where all the different ethnic restaurants are based,” Lisa-Gaye noted. “We just thought, ‘You know what? This is exactly where we need to be.’”

The sushi bar (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Sashimi Sampler (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

A departure from her signature Fromage brand, the venture is a passion project for Lisa-Gaye, driven by her deep love for Japanese cuisine. “Usually, you’d have to travel for such great cuisine, especially Japanese, because it’s so hard to get the right ingredients here in Jamaica. We were up to the challenge, however, and decided to go all-in,” she said.

Kyoto Krisp SaladKarl Mclarty

Indeed, Chef Hanasaki’s unwavering insistence on authentic, high-grade ingredients and meticulous attention to detail elevates every plate. Yet, the true secret to the brand’s success lies deeper: in the absolute trust Lisa-Gaye places in Hanasaki’s expertise, and the genuine passion he pours into every dish.

Miso glazed salmonKarl Mclarty

“He just formed this love for what we do. I was always pushing him to do it [open a restaurant] for himself and he said, ‘I won’t do it unless I do it with you’. And he believed in me, I believed in him. So here we are... a great partnership.”

Geisha rollKarl Mclarty

Thursday Food raises a Lychee Sake Spritz toast to the continued success of this latest venture. Kanpai!   Photos: Karl Mclarty

Scotchie shrimp roll (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

  Koi Sushi Opening Hours: Daily 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm Address: Super Valu Towne Centre, 144 Constant Spring Rd, Kingston 8, St Andrew

Chef Shuzo Hanasaki puts the finishing touches to the Geisha roll.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Tel: 876-649-5096

Sous-chef Hora Jingi presents the expertly crafted Sake salmon roll, ready for serving.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Whatsapp: 876-568-8198  

The Lychee Sake Spritz cocktail crafted with Gekkeikan Traditional Junmai Sake.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Email: koisushija@gmail.com Instagram: @koisushija

The Origami cocktail crafted with Mi Campo Blanco Tequila.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Website: www.koisushija.com