Kenichi Kawashima

OWNER & EXECUTIVE CHEF

Growing up in a restaurant family in Nagasaki, Japan, Kenichi has always been around food. More than 10 years as a Sushi Chef in San Francisco paved the way for him to open Rocketfish Lounge and he has now found success in bringing his special homestyle Japanese cuisine to local corporate teams.

Awards

Kenichi has won the prestigious California Rice Commission's Sushi Master's Competition Bronze Medal. The competition pays special attention to three key areas of sushi excellence including plating (the presentation), roll design, and balance of the nigiri sushi (fish to rice).

Kenichi's sushi approach is based on an the Edo-mae style which is a traditional approach to classic Tokyo-style sushi that dates back to the 1600's. 

Sake & Shouchu

Kenichi also holds a KIKI SAKE SHI - which is a certified Sake Sommelier as well as SHOUCHU KIKI SAKE SHI (very rare in the United States) is a Shouchu spirits Sommelier.

Kenichi is also a WINE SOMMELIER approved by Ecole Professionelle Du Sommelier and The All Nippon Sommelier Association.