Yoshi Okai

A native of Kyoto, Japan, and a former lead singer of a punk-rock band, chef Yoshi Okai brings a sense of style to his acclaimed sushi restaurant, Otoko. He learned to cook while working at his family’s catering business in Japan and has been a presence at top sushi restaurants around Austin (the Yokai Berry dish at 2005 F&W Best New Chef Tyson Cole’s Uchiko is named after him) as well as Aspen, Colorado. He’s known for his infectious smile and enthusiasm, his showmanship during breakdowns of whole bluefin tuna, and his reverence for uni.