It’ll be another busy year for Lewis Lin. The Susuru and Juju chef is poised to open Neko San, his striking restaurant specializing in budget-friendly omakases, this summer — but prior to that, he’ll bring an “omakase bento” store to Mills 50.
Hayashi Tarō will move into the Royaltea space at 714 N. Mills Ave. in April and offer three different to-go omakase bento boxes. Each will feature high-quality sushi utilizing fish and seafood flown in overnight from Japan.
Lin says the idea for Hayashi Tarō came from a customer who was expecting her first child.
“Her wish was to celebrate the birth with a kappo omakase from Juju in her hospital bed. It literally reminded me of my wife’s strong craving for omakase sushi after she gave birth at the hospital.”
The to-go boxes will range in price from $35 to $45, though customers can also opt to include ocha, or tea, using ceremonial-grade matcha with their takeout order.
Additional omakase options will be offered to those opting to dine inside at the 8-seat counter, which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Lin says it will allow customers “to witness the artful preparation of tea and omakase bentos,” describing the experience as “a serene immersion into the timeless elegance of Japanese culture.”
The name, BTW, is a personal one for Lin. The kanji for Hayashi is “林,” which happens to be the same as his surname, “Lin.” Tarō is a placeholder name similar to the way “San” is used in Japanese.
Lin anticipates a quick turnaround, as the space just requires a “touch-up.” Following its April opening, Lin says that Juju’s sake specialist and WSET Level 2 sake somm, Mai Yoshioka, will host sake tasting events at night.
Kanpai!
