Le Sushi Bar Welcomes Japanese Chef Sayaka Sawaguchi for Exclusive Residency

Beirut’s beloved Le Sushi Bar is turning up the heat this summer with an incredible guest chef. From July 9 to 19, the iconic restaurant is hosting an exclusive 10-day residency with Chef Sayaka Sawaguchi, a master of traditional Japanese techniques and all things fermented.

Sayaka isn’t just any chef. She’s a rising star from Japan known for her devotion to the art of sushi, fermentation, and the practice of Kudawari—aka the pursuit of perfection. Think rice treated like gold, sauces aged for days, and broths that bubble patiently until they hit just the right note.

This collaboration marks the launch of Le Sushi Bar’s brand-new Chef Series, where culinary legends get to take over the kitchen and serve up something totally unique. And it’s a pretty big deal: in Japan, female sushi chefs have historically been rare, but Sayaka is helping to change that, one impeccably balanced bite at a time.

Her menu will be a limited-time ode to precision, patience, and pure deliciousness. Expect dishes that are simple on the surface, but deeply layered in flavor.

Le Sushi Bar has always been a trendsetter. Back in 1998, they were among the first to introduce sushi to the region, and we have them to thank for rolls like the Crazy Maki and Volcano Maki that now pop up on every menu. Their sleek interiors, designed by Gregory Gatserelia, even won the 2020 Restaurant & Bar Design Award for the Middle East and Africa.

So, if you’re looking for an excuse to treat yourself (as if you needed one), this is it. Pull up a chair, savor something slow, and catch a rare glimpse of sushi mastery in action, right here in Beirut.