Since opening in the International House Hotel in 2023, Kenji Omakase has gotten rave reviews, and now, it appears the owners are planning a second location in Metairie. According to a permit filing with Jefferson Parish, the ownership group behind Kenji Omakase is constructing a new restaurant space at 2929 Metairie Rd. in Metairie. The permit filing lists the name Kenji Kazoku, with “Kazoku” being the Japanese word for family. What Now New Orleans has reached out for additional information.
Kenji Omakase is primarily built on an unlikely partnership between sushi chef Matthew Nguyen and former LSU and NFL football player Malachi Dupre. While both grew up in New Orleans East, Dupre first met Nguyen after being impressed by the sushi Nguyen made while working as head sushi chef at Yakuza House in Metairie. The impression was so compelling that Dupre and another business partner backed Nguyen on his own venture — Kenji Omakase.
