Michelin-starred San Diego Soichi Sushi plans University Heights offshoot concept

February 5, 2023

A new restaurant concept is opening in University Heights, created by the daughter of a couple who have won the award-winning Michelin-starred San Diego Soichi Sushi restaurant.

In 2019, husband and wife duo Soichi and Rachel Kadoya took over the University Heights space previously occupied by Circa California Soul Food. At the time, Chef Soichi had over twenty years of experience in Japanese cuisine, having previously worked full-time at the sushi counter at Sushi Tadokoro in the Old City. After converting the former Circa premises into a cozy and exclusive omakase-focused gourmet Japanese restaurant, Soichi opened with great fanfare and, after two years of operation, was awarded its first Michelin star in September 2021, which was reaffirmed in 2022.

With some help from mum and dad, Kadoya’s 23-year-old daughter Sakura Kadoya and her partner Rei Palisok are in the process of taking over the adjoining space that has housed the De Nada Kitchen, formerly the Cueva Bar, for the past 13 years (De Nada will close Feb. 24). The pair are currently finalizing the title and concept for their first project, so details are scarce at the moment. Expect the new restaurant to complement rather than compete with neighboring Soichi Sushi. There is currently no timetable for the restaurant’s reopening, but more details about the project should emerge in the coming weeks.

Soichi Sushi is located at 2121 Adams Avenue in University Heights in San Diego. For more information, visit soichishushi.com.