Washoku Guide
Cities/Boston/Sushi/Cafe Sushi (Cafe Sushi Nisei)
Boston · Sushi · a la carte

Cafe Sushi (Cafe Sushi Nisei)

Japanese-American second-generation sushiJapanese-ownedHarvard SquareJames Beard nomineeReopened 2025

Founded in 1984 by Japanese immigrant parents, Cafe Sushi in Harvard Square passed to second-generation Japanese-American owner Seizi Imura — a James Beard Award nominee who trained under sushi master Mitsunori Kusakabe. Reopened as Cafe Sushi Nisei in December 2025 with a sake bar, modern nigiri, and the same multigenerational Japanese family commitment.

Price
¥¥¥
Area
Harvard Square, Cambridge
Since
1984
Chef
Seizi Imura
Owner
Seizi Imura & Kenshi Imura
Cafe Sushi (Cafe Sushi Nisei) — authentic japanese-american second-generation sushi restaurant in Boston, Harvard Square, …
Plate № 17
Editorial placeholder
About
Cafe Sushi was founded in 1984 by Seizi Imura's Japanese immigrant parents in Harvard Square, making it one of Boston's longest-running Japanese family restaurants. Seizi took over in 2007 after training under celebrated sushi master Mitsunori Kusakabe in California, bringing formal Japanese-American sushi discipline back to the family business. A James Beard Award nominee and featured by Boston Magazine and the Harvard Crimson, he closed and reimagined the space as Cafe Sushi Nisei in December 2025 — 'nisei' meaning second-generation Japanese-American, a deliberate acknowledgment of his immigrant family heritage. The new concept adds a sake bar and retail shop, shifts from omakase to à la carte modern nigiri, and reaffirms the family's commitment to authentic Japanese food culture in Cambridge.
Neighborhood & visiting

Cafe Sushi (Cafe Sushi Nisei) sits in Harvard Square, Cambridge, one of Boston's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. Reservations are available online — for a focused sushi counter this is strongly recommended. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional sushi restaurants often close between service periods.

Why it's on Washoku Guide
  • Four-decade Japanese immigrant family story — founded 1984 by Seizi Imura's parents, now helmed by the James Beard-nominated son.
  • Kusakabe-trained sushi mastery (one of California's most respected Japanese sushi masters) now serving Cambridge in a modern à la carte format.
  • Cafe Sushi Nisei (reopened Dec 2025) adds a sake bar and retail shop, deepening the Japanese cultural experience.
  • Harvard Square's most storied Japanese institution — a neighborhood anchor across two generations and 40+ years.

Confirmed authentic: Japanese-owned (Seizi Imura, second-generation Japanese-American) and Japanese-led kitchen. Founded 1984 by Japanese immigrant parents. Reopened as Cafe Sushi Nisei December 2025.

Links
Reserve →Website →Map →Yelp →Tripadvisor →

More authentic sushi in Boston

Other authentic cuisines in Boston

Browse by cuisine in Boston:IzakayaYakitoriRamenDonburi

Authentic sushi in other cities

Frequently asked

About Cafe Sushi (Cafe Sushi Nisei)

Is Cafe Sushi (Cafe Sushi Nisei) an authentic japanese-american second-generation sushi restaurant in Boston?
Yes — Cafe Sushi (Cafe Sushi Nisei) is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for japanese-american second-generation sushi in Boston: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused sushi format.
Where is Cafe Sushi (Cafe Sushi Nisei) located?
Cafe Sushi (Cafe Sushi Nisei) is located at 1105 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, Boston, USA in the Harvard Square, Cambridge neighborhood.
Do I need a reservation at Cafe Sushi (Cafe Sushi Nisei)?
Cafe Sushi (Cafe Sushi Nisei) accepts reservations online. For an authentic sushi experience, especially at a focused counter, booking ahead is strongly recommended.
What is the price range at Cafe Sushi (Cafe Sushi Nisei)?
Cafe Sushi (Cafe Sushi Nisei) sits in the ¥¥¥ price range — typical for japanese-american second-generation sushi of this format in Boston.
Keep exploring
All Japanese restaurants in Boston →Sushi in Boston →Authentic sushi worldwide →All cities →