Sushi Stronghold in Chestnut Hill Bids Farewell After 20 Years

Part of the old guard in Boston’s sushi world will end its long tenure next month. Oishii Sushi Bar (612 Hammond St., Chestnut Hill), a regular on Eater Boston’s list of outstanding sushi restaurants in the area, will close down on September 23. The Chestnut Hill restaurant — which has spawned two spinoffs (which will remain open) since debuting in 1998 — has come to the end of its lease, clocking in 20 years in operation.

“We would like to thank our Chestnut Hill team who have made a significant contribution to its success over the years,” owners Jackie and Ting Yen wrote in a note on the restaurant’s website. “To our Chestnut Hill guests, we thank you for joining us and look forward to serving you at our other South End location.”

Members of the Chestnut Hill staff will reportedly transition to the other Oishii restaurants.

Oishii in Chestnut Hill captured a number of awards during its 20 years in business, including several Best of Boston awards from Boston Magazine and top ratings from Zagat. The pint-sized restaurant proved worth the wait for guests who feasted on seared hamachi, salmon maki, pork belly ramen, fried rice, and okonomiyaki.

Ting Yen eventually expanded his local reach with a flashy South End location and Oishii Too in Sudbury, which is run by his brother-in-law, Oishii co-founder Kang San. Yen also advised on the menu for Downtown Boston’s Ruka and provided a jumping off point for new ventures: Kin Chan and Jacky Poon of Fish Market Sushi Bar in Allston, for example, worked at the Chestnut Hill Oishii before breaking out on their own.

Catch the Chestnut Hill Oishii Sushi Bar before it closes for good on September 23.

• Oishii Sushi Bar in Chestnut Hill Is Closing [BRT]
• The Original Oishii Sushi Bar in Chestnut Hill Will Close in September [BM]