Chef Yoshi Okai's Kira Omakase
Chef Yoshi Okai, one of America's most beloved Japanese chefs, will be opening a new omakase in New Orleans on August 20, 2026. It will be called Kira Omakase and it will be located in the restaurant Kira on 601 Tchoupitoulas St.
About Chef Yoshi Okai
Okai, hailing from Kyoto, Japan, was recognized by Food & Wine as one of its Best New Chefs in 2017. This is one of the culinary industry's most prestigious honors, recognizing America's top emerging culinary talent.
He served as the head sushi chef for the nationally celebrated Uchi and Uchiko restaurant groups in Austin, Texas. He eventually became the executive chef for OTOKO, which helped redefine modern Japanese cuisine in America. Okai has contributed to helping elevate sushi and omakase culture nationally.
Okai blends his Japanese heritage with his signature punk rock flair for an omakase experience. His cuisine balances centuries-old Japanese technique with Tokyo-style Edomae sushi traditions shaped by his background as a punk rock vocalist and performer. This unconventional artistic influence has become a major element of his highly personal omakase style, which will take shape at Kira Omakase.
"This feels like the right next step for me," Chef Okai said in a press release. "I've loved New Orleans ever since I came here to play a rock show at the Mermaid Lounge back in 2003, but it was the food that really stayed with me. There's a deep respect here for tradition, craftsmanship, and hospitality that resonates with how I cook. I love cooking where guests can see the process unfold and feel the energy."
About Kira Omakase
Kira Omakase is a 20-course experience created by Okai's decades of sushi innovation, mastery of technique, and relations with the best fisheries globally. Billy Blatty opened Kira, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and cocktail lounge, in December 2025.
"New Orleans has one of the richest culinary cultures in the country," Blatty shared in a press release. "Yoshi brings something different to the food scene, and his uniqueness is where the magic lives. That's the only way to authentically contribute to what already exists here."
The intimate dining experience will showcase meticulously sourced seafood from Japan's top fish markets, regional Gulf ingredients, sake pairings, refined preparation methods, and a carefully curated progression of flavors designed to engage every sense. Each course reflects Okai's dedication to craftsmanship, storytelling, and the connection between tradition and modern creativity.
In addition, guests will be able to enjoy a curated playlist curated by Okai himself featuring jazz, rock, and dark wave music. Additionally, Okai will host tuna breakdowns seasonally, giving guests the opportunity to taste tuna as it gets butchered.
The omakase's arrival marks an exciting chapter for the city's growing fine dining scene, bringing together global influences, local appreciation, and Chef Okai's unmistakable vision. His involvement positions Kira Omakase as a premier dining destination and underscores the team's ambition to create one of the country's leading luxury omakase experiences.
Kira Omakase Reservations
Seatings for Kira Omakase will be offered Thursday through Sunday beginning at 5:30 p.m. Staggered seatings will take place every 30 minutes until the final seating at 8:30 p.m. The experience is $175 per person. Reservations for Kira Omakase are officially live and can be made through OpenTable.
