![chirashi kasen chirashi kasen](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5123e1b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4032x3024+0+0/resize/768x576!/quality/90/?url=https:%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2F96%2Ff88584d5433ca6d7c243a24a9243%2Fla-fo-chirashi-sushi-ii-osaka.jpg)
Their restaurant then turned into the short-lived Sushi Cocoro, but reverted back to Kasen when they returned in February 2010. Things went smoothly until April 2009, when the couple went back to Japan to care for the Chef's sick parents. With this experience under his belt, Ii and his wife Keiko opened Kasen in Fountain Valley in October 1990. Now residing in Los Angeles, he started out working under Sakae Shibutani at Shibucho. Ii completed his studies in 1981, and eventually decided to move to the United States. During his time at college, he apprenticed at local restaurants specializing in Japanese cuisine and sushi, and quickly fell in love with the craft.
![chirashi kasen chirashi kasen](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/772aa80/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4032x3024+0+0/resize/840x630!/quality/90/?url=https:%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2F96%2Ff88584d5433ca6d7c243a24a9243%2Fla-fo-chirashi-sushi-ii-osaka.jpg)
After graduating from Okinoerabu High School in 1977, he moved to Matsubara in Osaka Prefecture and attended Hannan University, where he majored in economics. Unfortunately, COVID-19 struck before I could dine here, but when the restaurant started selling take-out, I decided that I had to pay the place a visit.Ībout the Chef: Ii Susumu grew up on Okinoerabujima, a small island off the southern tip of Japan that's part of the Amami archipelago. I actually found out about Sushi Ii when I saw it listed on Tock, and after looking into the spot a bit more, immediately put it on my "to-eat" list for Orange County. The latest entrant to that field is Chef Susumu Ii's eponymous Sushi Ii, which opened early this year. I think one of the strongest facets of the OC dining scene is its array of Japanese eateries, especially when we're talking about high-quality, yet not ridiculously-priced sushi. 100 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663