Beginning sometime between December 2022 and January 2023, Tampa Bay residents are going to have the opportunity to try a carefully curated omakase experience from decorated sushi Chef Wei Chen thanks to Kōsen, located at 307 W. Palm Ave.
Kōsen is the newest concept from brothers Johnny and Jimmy Tung, who have made a national name for themselves with their Orlando-based Omei Restaurant Group and the wider Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi brand.
Similarly, Chef Chen is a Kyoto-trained sushi master with more than 16 years of experience in upscale New York City restaurants, including the last six spent at 3-Michelin-star restaurant, Masa.
“Tampa’s a world-class city that deserves a world-class Japanese restaurant,” Johnny Tung tells What Now Tampa. “We want to bring [Chef Wei Chen] from New York and really elevate the experience.”
In a press release provided to What Now Tampa, Tung elaborates: “I’ve fallen in love with Tampa and its emerging food culture over the years…The Heights District is the perfect location for this because of the success of Armature Works and great restaurants, such as our neighbor Rocca.”
The “elevated experience” will doubtlessly come at a cost, as Chef Chen’s exclusive reservation-only omakase starts at $250 per seat for an 18-course, 12-piece nigiri meal, served at a limited 10-seat sushi counter “allowing guests to experience a more intimate dinner while being served directly by the chef.”
Meanwhile, a marginally less exclusive 10-course $150 tasting menu will be offered in a 25-seat main dining room designed by Matt Kelly of Make Studios.
Nevertheless, as Bento Group explains in a statement, “Kōsen in Japanese means ‘ray of light’. The name was chosen specifically to showcase the concept’s forward thinking and innovation when it comes to the menu and service, as well as the outstanding decor. This debut signifies the brothers’ intent to continue to pave the way for locals to enjoy more refined Japanese dining experiences without having to travel to New York City or Tokyo.”
