Meet Jay Oh | Owner Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jay Oh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jay, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve dreamed of opening my own restaurant for many years. My original plan was to make it happen before turning 40, but here I am, finally opening at the age of 49. I knew very well that running a business would be physically demanding and mentally exhausting, but I wanted to challenge myself to grow, to learn, and to see what I’m truly capable of.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My wide range of experiences is what truly sets me apart from others. Becoming a chef was a dream I worked hard to achieve. After graduating with a degree in Food & Nutrition, I immediately enrolled in culinary school to further pursue my passion. I started my career at Hilton Hotel Seoul, where I gained valuable hands-on experience before immigrating to the United States.

In the U.S., I worked as a sushi chef at various restaurants, building deep expertise in Japanese cuisine. Later, I had the opportunity to work at Wang Globalnet, a Korean food company in the U.S., as a corporate chef. During that time, I was responsible for R&D, which allowed me to grow professionally and strengthen my culinary foundation.

After acquiring Sapporo Sushi, I was able to significantly increase sales, which gave me a sense of pride and confidence. This success has fueled my ambition to open a second location. Hearing compliments and positive feedback from customers is incredibly rewarding.

That being said, running a restaurant business is far from easy. Every day, I have to juggle marketing, ingredient sourcing, ordering, staff management, and customer service. There are so many details that require constant attention, and honestly, there were moments when I seriously thought about giving up.

However, now that I’ve come this far, I want to give it everything I’ve got. I’ve started to dream even bigger — expanding the business into a franchise and possibly even launching my own food manufacturing company someday.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
All of my closest friends still live in Korea, so if one of them came to visit me here, I would want to give them the best experience possible. The very first place I would take them is the beach — Santa Monica Beach, to be exact. We’d spend plenty of time at the pier, enjoying the food, riding the attractions, and soaking in the vibrant energy. I would also want to show them the excitement of American sports by taking them to a Lakers game or an LA Dodgers game, so they could feel the electric atmosphere firsthand.

Of course, no trip would be complete without a visit to Disneyland. No matter how old you are, Disneyland has a magical way of bringing out the joy in everyone.

Since my friend loves shopping, I’d dedicate an entire day to hitting the outlets — either Citadel Outlets or a trip out to Palm Springs for some serious retail therapy.

And lastly, I would definitely take them to Las Vegas. There’s no better place to experience the glitz, glamour, and over-the-top excitement that America has to offer. It would be an unforgettable trip filled with incredible memories.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my family. Without the unwavering support of my wife, Hannah, and my daughter, Abby, opening a restaurant would have been nearly impossible. Their constant love, encouragement, and warmth have always been the foundation that keeps me standing strong.
I am also deeply grateful for the many experiences that have shaped and strengthened me along the way. From working in the main kitchen of a hotel to gaining hands-on experience at numerous restaurants, and even serving as a corporate chef at a food company — each step has helped me build valuable skills and grow both professionally and personally.

Website: https://www.sapporosimivalley.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sapporo_simi?igsh=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561945764345&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sapporo-sushi-and-izakaya-and-ramen-simi-valley-2?osq=Sapporo+Sushi