Katsuya Uechi

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".

Early life Uechi was born in 1959 in Okinawa, Japan where he developed an early interest in the culinary arts. He trained in traditional Edomae sushi techniques in Okinawa and Osaka before moving to the United States in 1984.

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.