Katsuya Uechi, sushi chef who helped redefine Japanese dining, dies at 67

Famed master sushi chef behind iconic dish that transformed LA dining dies suddenly

Born in Okinawa, Japan, Uechi moved to LA in the 1980s, opening Sushi Katsu-ya in Studio City in 1997, then expanding his brand.

Katsuya Uechi, Pioneering LA Sushi Chef, Dies at 67

Funeral services were pending Friday for Katsuya Uechi, the pioneering sushi chef whose Katsu-ya restaurants helped redefine Japanese dining in Los Angeles, following his death at age 67. Uechi’s death was announced Thursday night by the Katsu-ya restaurant group in a social media post. “Katsu-San helped shape the Los Angeles sushi landscape and beyond, making Katsuya a household name,” the restaurant group said. “Today, we honor his life and le…

Katsuya Uechi, pioneering sushi chef and creator of spicy tuna crispy rice, dies

Master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi, who defined Japanese dining in Los Angeles and beyond, has died at 67.

Katsuya Uechi, sushi chef who defined LA's dining scene, dies

His first Sushi Katsu-ya restaurant has been operating in Studio City since the 1990s.

Katsuya Uechi, sushi chef who helped redefine Japanese dining, dies at 67

Katsuya Uechi, the pioneering sushi chef whose Katsu-ya restaurants helped redefine Japanese dining in Los Angeles, has passed away.

Famed master sushi chef behind iconic dish that transformed LA dining dies suddenly - Dining and Cooking

Master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi, the culinary force who reshaped Los Angeles’ sushi scene and introduced the now-ubiquitous spicy tuna crispy rice, has died unexpectedly at 67. His restaurant group confirmed the news in an Instagram post Thursday night but did not disclose a cause of death. “Katsu-San helped shape the Los Angeles sushi landscape [...]