Famed master sushi chef behind iconic dish that transformed LA dining dies suddenly

Metro Famed master sushi chef behind iconic dish that transformed LA dining dies suddenly By Daniel Farr Published June 26, 2026, 8:14 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The California Post on Google Master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi, the culinary force who reshaped Los Angeles’ sushi scene and introduced the now-ubiquitous spicy tuna crispy rice, has died unexpectedly at 67. His restaurant group confirmed the news in an Instagram post Thursday night but did not disclose a cause of death. “Katsu-San helped shape the Los Angeles sushi landscape and beyond, making Katsuya a household name. Today, we honor his life and legacy by proudly carrying forward the vision he spent a lifetime perfecting,” the statement read.

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