Inspiring Conversations with Shant Ohanian of Saki Saki Sushi Bar & Grill4510

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shant Ohanian.

Hi Shant, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been in the restaurant industry since I was very young, maybe 6 years old. My Family had a pizza delivery business in LA, and I learned my way around the kitchen when I was a kid. I kept focusing on my skills and developing my recipes as I got older. I graduated high school in 2004 and started a business delivering fresh fruits and veggies to local mom-and-pop markets. I went to culinary school and worked again in higher-end Italian and steakhouse restaurants. I worked hard and saved and saved and opened my restaurant. I got tired and missed my family life, so I told my wife lets pack our bags and go to San Diego. I started doing small odds-and-ends jobs, remodeling houses, and stuff. Then the pandemic came, and I got into the smoke shop wholesale game, which became boring. I missed the restaurant life and high-paced stress. The adrenaline rushes you get from making a whole house happy with your cooking and ideas, so I found a sushi bar. I had never much experience with Japanese food but loved eating hahaha I found Saki Saki Sushi Bar & Grill. The beginning days were difficult, but focus, and determination kept me going, and I found a solid team with Chef Oscar, my head Sushi Chef. And it was game on a year later and were killing it and even more important the clients are always happy!

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing in life is a smooth road, and anyone that tells you otherwise is full of BS. The struggles, haha, where do I begin creating a new menu for our clients to enjoy, recipes, long days/nights? Rebuilding a restaurant is always hard to gain clients’ trust, keep everything fresh, market, etc. The list goes on and on.

As you know, we’re big fans of Saki Saki Sushi Bar & Grill. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with the brand?
We specialize in Sushi! We are a sushi bar and grill, so we have all the traditional Japanese items, rolls, nigiri, and sashimi, but what sets us apart is we utilize the Baja Coast and my background in Italian. With Mexico so close to us and all the flavors that Mexico has to offer, it’s a no-brainer to be inspired by Baja and Italy. Mexican & Italian flavors pair well with Japanese flavors, so much it is mind-blowing, and I’m not talking about sushi quesadillas either, hahaha. Have you ever had Miso & Wasabi Cream Spaghetti or Tajin encrusted Albacore? Delicious and so close to your traditional favorites everyone loves already. It’s our little twist.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The coast, being so close to the Ocean, the weather is always beautiful. Unlike LA, everything closes by 9-10 pm, which has pros and cons.

Contact Info:

• Website: sakisakisushibar.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/sakisakisushibar