Photo courtesy of Sumi Sushi Yelp
Downtown San Jose Welcomes Sumi Sushi!
There’s exciting news for downtown San Jose foodies! Paseo de San Antonio just welcomed its first sushi spot in years! Restaurateur Terry Tien officially opened the doors to Sumi Sushi, a fast-casual Japanese eatery serving up affordable, high-quality favorites just steps from San Jose State University.
Located at 119 Paseo de San Antonio, the new restaurant fills the long-vacant space previously home to Tangerine Hair Studio (now relocated to Willow Glen). This spot had remained untouched for some time until Tien saw an opportunity and took a leap of faith.
And it’s already paying off. With $6 sushi rolls, $10 bowls of ramen, $11 specialty rolls, and $20 sashimi plates, Sumi Sushi stands out not just for its flavors, but its affordability. Thier focus is to keep prices low and quality high for the local community, especially the student crowd right around the corner.
The concept and execution were made possible in part by the City of San Jose’s streamlined restaurant program, which helps small businesses navigate the complicated permitting process. For Tien, transforming a space that had never housed a food operation meant added expenses like venting and grease-capture systems. Investments that many are reluctant to take on. But with support from city programs and a clear vision, Sumi came to life.
But that’s not all, Tien’s got more in store for the Paseo. Right next door, at 117 Paseo de San Antonio, he’s preparing to launch MeiMei Dumpling. It is a fast-casual Chinese eatery expected to open in the coming days. Slightly larger than Sumi Sushi, this new spot will cater to the quick-service crowd with comforting dumplings and Chinese specialties.
With Sumi Sushi now open and MeiMei Dumpling soon to follow, Terry Tien is breathing new life (and flavor) into a key block of downtown. Whether you’re craving a spicy tuna roll, a steaming bowl of ramen, or handmade dumplings, it looks like downtown just got two delicious new reasons to stick around.
📍 Visit Sumi Sushi:
119 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA
Walkable from San Jose State University and Light Rail
Check them out on Yelp: Sumi Sushi
👀 Coming Soon:
MeiMei Dumpling – 117 Paseo de San Antonio
Stay tuned! We’ll be back with updates once the dumplings start steaming.
Source: Silicon Valley Business Journal
