Sushi Zen

In Japanese, zen has many meanings. When naming Sushi Zen, owners Shoji and Rosie Mochizuki chose the meaning for a table where family or community can gather. Since 1997, Sushi Zen has been that gathering place in Arlington, welcoming multiple generations of families to its restaurant tables. Co-founder Shoji Mochizuki moved to the US from Japan with his aunt in 1970, where he soon met his wife Rosie through their shared Bhuddist faith. After cooking in several local restaurants, Shoji and Rosie partnered with friend and chef Masatoshi Seino to open Sushi Zen in Arlington. They wanted to create a high-quality, family-friendly restaurant that would give back to the community that had welcomed Shoji in. The partners also wanted to create a restaurant that could help provide a path to citizenship for other immigrants. Through the years they have sponsored dozens of immigrants, many becoming citizens.

Rosie and Shoji credit their Bhuddist beliefs for giving them the strength to outlast early struggles and for creating the ethos and environment that has built a loyal customer base and retained a dedicated staff, both of which they consider their extended family. Their own family grew up in the restaurant and have returned to continue its legacy into the next generation with son Brian taking over the chef duties and daughter Malinda running the business.