Kenji Kazoku
The founders of Kenji Omakase are expanding their upscale Japanese restaurant business with Kenji Kazoku on April 29 in their new Old Metairie location.
Friendship Meets Innovation
"Kenji Kazoku" loosely translates to doing business within a tight-knit circle of friends who feel like family, which is exactly what the founders are all about. Malachi Dupre and minority owners Paris Jean and Logan Jean have been longtime friends. Dupre and Logan met in college at LSU while Dupre was playing football. With a shared love for quality ingredients and Japanese food, their first business, Kenji Omakase, was brought to life inside the International House hotel in 2023. Since then, they have opened a Latin fusion restaurant, Casa Kenji, in Houston with their Kenji motto of quality and friendship being their number one priority.
Now, their Kenji philosophy continues to expand with the partnership of Chef Matthew Nguyen.
"I've eaten sushi in many cities, and I've never found a restaurant that could execute at the level Matt was doing" Dupre said. "Sushi is an art form that requires total dedication and I saw that in him immediately"
Chef Matthew Nguyen, a New Orleans native, with a vast background in Japanese cuisine is the visionary of each dish on the menu at Kenji Kazoku. His leadership and bold culinary interpretations of classic Japanese traditions will keep your senses excited and intrigued for more.
Guests will notice the artfully showcased seafood sourced directly from Japan, with some supplemented selections from Greece, New Zealand, and Hawaii. The menu includes cold appetizers such as Sake Crudo and Hamachi Crudo, as well as their warm appetizers with crispy yet juicy Chicken Karaage and delectable Beef Tataki. If you consider yourself a sushi lover, you cannot miss their five-piece chef's choice nigiri. The nigiri will cleanse your tastebuds for their savory entrees with perfectly cooked Wagyu Fried Rice and Lamb Chops. Be sure to save room for dessert with their mouthwatering Matcha Beignet, which is the gift that keeps on giving.
What To Expect
Dupre spared no expense when it came to the execution of every aspect of this restaurant. The culinary duo completely reimagined the traditional sushi bar format. Be prepared to walk into an upscale, low dramatic lighting restaurant with modern aesthetics, bamboo plants, dark walls, and curated artwork reminiscent of traditional Japanese gyotaku prints. The space is intimate and exclusive, seating a maximum of 54 guests with a 10-seat sushi counter to watch the sushi chefs create their masterpieces, and contains a full-service cocktail bar.
Their specially craft cocktails include the Hibiscus 75 (think French 75 but with yuzu and hibiscus syrup), the Lychee Lemon Drop, and the Japanese Old Fashioned. The beverage list also features sake selections, Japanese whisky, and curated wines and bubbles.
Where To Enjoy
The restaurant will be open for dinner service on 2929 Metairie Rd., Suite 100A at 4:30 p.m. every night, except on Tuesdays when they will be closed. Be sure to come with an appetite and your favorite people! Outdoor patio seating is soon to come!
Restaurant Hours
Sunday, Monday, Wednesday: 4:30 p.m. to 9:30
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 4:30 p.m. to 10:30
For more information or to reserve a table, you can visit here.
