Dining
BY KAMERYN GRIESSER
Cho Sushi preserves tradition with a twist under new owners
Before pandemic-related challenges could claim yet another beloved local business, Cho Sushi was saved in 2022 by Steven Xue, a young, serial entrepreneur and trained sushi chef. Hailing from Los Angeles, Xue was only 25 when he rescued the 15-year-old Japanese restaurant, determined to preserve the o erings community members knew and loved. The gist Cho Sushi was rst established in 2007 by Korean brothers John and Davis Cho, who went on to run two locations in Steiner Ranch and Lakeway. Today, only the Steiner Ranch location remains, while the Lakeway location was closed and leased to Blue Fin Sushi & Ramen. Xue said he made signi cant changes to the interior to modernize it, including adding new LED light xtures, colorful decor and a sleeker sushi bar area. General Manager Miller Xu, a friend of Xue from Los Angeles, said most of the menu remains untouched, aside from some Californian twists here and there. “Chefs always keep some tricks with them, and they like to show them o by trying out new things to nd what’s best,” Xu said. Most of Xue’s new additions have been to the toppings o ered with nigiri dishes. The menu The menu features a variety of traditional sushi, nigiri and sashimi, with the blue n tuna and fresh-caught yellowtail sh being the most popular, Xu said. Other seafood o erings include the pan-seared Chilean sea bass, spicy crab salad and pan-seared diver scallops. For dessert, patrons can try Japanese-inspired sweets, such as tempura or green tea and mochi ice creams. Sake, wine and Japanese beers are available for drinks. Another detail On top of Cho Sushi, Xue is also the owner of Kobe Japanese Steakhouse and Ebisu Japanese Restaurant. When asked about how he gained the con dence to run so many restaurants in his 20s, Xue shrugged. “He is never nervous about anything. He has
Spicy Susan Roll ($14) is spicy tuna topped with avocado, fresh salmon and spicy mayo.
COURTESY CHO SUSHI
Cho Sushi o ers a variety of traditional sushi, nigiri and sashimi, along with seafood dishes, rice and noodles.
COURTESY CHO SUSHI
Xue said he made various changes to modernize the interior, such as adding colorful decor.
From left, Owner Steven Xue and Miller Xu met while working in the Los Angeles restaurant industry.
KAMERYN GRIESSER COMMUNITY IMPACT
KAMERYN GRIESSER COMMUNITY IMPACT
a spirit of just always moving forward,” said Xu, who has shared a friendship with Xue for nearly a decade. Quote of note “It’s rewarding to hear from customers about old memories they have here. ... They really appreciate that we are still open since many have closed,” Xu said.
LAKE TRAVIS
Austin
N. QUINLAN PARK BLVD.
620
STEINER RANCH BLVD.
N
4300 N. Quinlan Park Road, Ste. 105, Austin www.choaustin.com
33
LAKE TRAVIS WESTLAKE EDITION
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