Atlanta Grows Talent, and Umi Is Taking It to New York

By Daniela Cintron

Last Updated April 7, 2026

Add Discover ATL as a preferred source on Google

At a Glance

• Atlanta’s Umi is expanding to New York City
• Since 2013, Buckhead’s modern Japanese hot spot has shaped the city’s sushi scene.
• Chef Kazuo Yoshida crafts seasonal omakase that’s precise, creative and deeply personal.
• Chef Todd Dae Kulper balances tradition with innovation; famous for signature dishes and the secret IYKYK menu.
• Chef Jinichi Sakaguchi returned to refine Umi’s menu, highlighting the city’s draw for top talent.
• Umi’s NYC expansion proves Atlanta chefs and concepts thrive anywhere.

In Atlanta, creativity is not an accident — it is cultivated.

It happens in dining rooms filled with curious guests, in a city that gives chefs room to experiment and grow. Over time, that environment produces creators confident enough to take their ideas anywhere.

That spirit is now heading to New York City.

In the summer of 2026, Umi, one of Atlanta’s most celebrated Japanese restaurants, will open a new location in Manhattan’s Flatiron-NoMad district. The expansion marks an exciting milestone for the restaurant and for the city that helped shape it.

Because Umi’s success story is, at its core, an Atlanta story.

A Restaurant that Helped Shape a City’s Palate

When Umi opened in May 2013, Atlanta’s dining scene was gaining national attention, but the culture around sushi — particularly high-level nigiri and omakase — was still evolving. Umi helped move the conversation forward.

The restaurant quickly became known for precision, restraint and an unwavering commitment to quality. Fish arrived from around the globe. Techniques were meticulous. Service was intentional. The experience felt luxurious yet welcoming — a balance that would become part of Atlanta’s modern dining identity.

Today, Umi is widely regarded as a must-visit destination, drawing locals, visitors and celebrities alike. But beyond the buzz and the accolades, its reputation was built steadily, dish by dish.

A City that Gives Chefs Room to Grow

Atlanta has become one of the country’s most important proving grounds for culinary talent — and for Umi chefs, it provides a stage.

Chef Kazuo Yoshida arrived with decades of experience in New York City’s respected sushi restaurants, but it was in Atlanta where his craft found new momentum and expanded.

Here, he leads the restaurant’s sushi program and the intimate M @ Umi omakase experience, where just eight guests gather around the counter as he prepares each course with quiet precision. The menu shifts with the seasons, reflecting both his creativity and the city’s dynamic dining culture.

Guests might begin with delicate madai sashimi or smoked bonito before moving into a tasting of fatty and medium-fatty tuna. Later, a wagyu hand roll topped with caviar or butter-poached lobster arrives. Each bite is deliberate, disciplined and deeply personal.

Building a Kitchen in a City that Supports Innovation

While Yoshida commands the sushi counter, chef Todd Dae Kulper defines the rhythm of the kitchen.

Kulper has spent more than a decade guiding Umi’s evolution from a rising destination to a nationally recognized dining institution. His work balances tradition with modern technique, creating dishes that feel refined yet approachable — a style that resonates strongly with Atlanta diners.

Some of the crowd favorites include the wagyu carpaccio, which arrives delicate and glistening, layered with garlic, wasabi and shaved black truffle; or the lobster toban-yaki bubbles gently in beurre noisette, rich with umami.

Chef Kulper is famous for his exclusive IYKYK Menu, a “secret” collection of off-menu dishes created for guests in the know, reflecting both his technical precision and his thoughtful connection to loyal diners. For the guest, it’s like having a best friend’s handshake with the chef.

Global Talent, Refined in Atlanta

Another key member of the team, chef Jinichi Sakaguchi, represents the international talent increasingly choosing Atlanta as a place to build a career.

A native of Japan who has worked as a sushi chef since 1997, Sakaguchi worked in renowned establishments, including Sushi Iwa, a one-MICHELIN-starred restaurant in Tokyo, and Sushi Zanmai. After spending time back home, he returned to Atlanta with new techniques and fresh ideas — drawn by the city’s growing reputation as a serious culinary destination. In recognition of his expertise, he was invited back to Umi to help enhance and update the restaurant’s menu, where he once again demonstrated his exceptional skill.

His journey reflects a broader shift in the city where top-tier talent thrives and becomes essential to the city’s culinary scene.

A Win for Atlanta’s Creative Community

Umi’s expansion to New York is more than a business decision. It is a moment of pride for Atlanta’s culinary scene — and a reminder of the city’s growing influence on the national stage.

From chefs and restaurateurs to designers and hospitality professionals, Atlanta continues to produce creators whose work resonates far beyond the city limits.

Umi is located in Buckhead at 3050 Peachtree Road. Discover more things to do, see and eat in Buckhead.

Daniela Cintrón is an award-winning journalist, editor, and producer passionate about storytelling at the intersection of food, art, and culture. She is the content manager and bilingual editor for Discover Atlanta and contributes to publications like the Los Angeles Times, Atlanta Magazine and Eater.

Originally Published April 6, 2026