Kaiyo breathes new life into Okemos’ sushi scene

The COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t kind to restaurants in general, but it seems to have taken a particular toll on the sushi eateries of Okemos.

The exodus began when Ukai Hibachi Grill & Sushi Bar closed its Grand River Avenue location for good in 2020. In 2021, Maru Sushi left its space at 5100 Marsh Road to merge with the East Lansing location, and in 2022, Akagi Japanese Restaurant shuttered operations at 1754 Central Park Drive to merge with East Lansing’s Uni Sushi & Ramen.

In response, three Okemos residents decided to team up and deliver a new option to help fill the gaps. Pi Kai, He Li and Sam Ling had “known each other for a long time,” Kai explained. In February, they began discussing the possibility of opening their own sushi restaurant.

For its location, the trio chose the approximately 2,000-square-foot property previously occupied by Maru Sushi. With the kitchen already outfitted for sushi prep, the timeline to a grand opening would be considerably shorter.

“I actually found the location,” Kai said. “We were able to purchase it from the previous owner, and we were also able to purchase his liquor license, which was pretty convenient.”

By October, Kaiyo Sushi & Grill was fully operational. It staffs 10 employees, with a handful of them working in the kitchen under Ling, whose decades of experience as a sushi chef heavily influenced the decision to open the restaurant. Two other chefs have around a decade of experience each, Kai said, while “Ling is the one training and teaching” the newcomers.

Since opening, Kaiyo has already released a revamped menu, which was expanded on Nov. 29 to include some staff additions as well as recommendations from customers. It features dozens of colorful and decorative dishes that would set the perfect vibe for a date night or holiday-break reunion.

Employee Yasa Chin mentioned a few menu items she’s found to be the most popular so far, including the “guest favorite” Okemos roll, composed of crab stick, avocado, lobster salad and cream cheese, all wrapped in soy paper and topped with shrimp tempura, spicy mayo, chef’s sauce and an extra dash of tempura crunch.

Other popular rolls include the Volcano, filled with spicy tuna, shrimp tempura and cucumber and topped with seared red snapper, spicy mayo and Cajun seasoning; the Detroit Tiger, a mix of tuna and cucumber topped with tuna, salmon, avocado, tempura flakes and eel and lemon sauces; and the Firecracker, a spicier, flash-torched roll filled with shrimp tempura, cream cheese and and avocado and topped with spicy tuna, jalapenos and eel sauce.

In addition to standard offerings of poke bowls, nigiri, sashimi and hibachi, Kaiyo’s expansive menu also includes takoyaki — ball-shaped appetizers filled with diced, fried octopus pieces and drizzled with eel sauce, Japanese mayonnaise and bonito fish flakes. Chin cited the Avocado Bomb  and Spicy Tuna Poppers as other appetizers that have been ordered the most so far.

The reception from the community thus far has been warm, welcoming and enthusiastic, with reviews on the Lansing Foodies Facebook page praising the portioning, presentation, service and, of course, the taste.

“There aren’t too many sushi places available in Okemos now, so the community just loves us being back here,” Kai said.