His discreet sushi popup gained immense popularity. Now, he’s set to launch a restaurant in the Bay Area.

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One of the Bay Area’s most popular — and unusual — sushi operations is opening a permanent restaurant.  

Kinjo, created by the chef of the clandestine popup Sushi Simpin, is set to open its doors at 1747 North Milpitas Blvd. in Milpitas on January 18. Initially, it will offer takeout services, with dine-in options becoming available later this month.

In the height of the pandemic, individuals traveled from various parts of the Bay Area to collect boxes of high-quality sushi from Andy Tran's residence. Initially, Tran began preparing these takeout boxes for his friends, but news of Sushi Simpin rapidly circulated, transforming his small-scale venture into one of the most sought-after food popups in the region. However, in 2021, a notification from the health department led to the closure of his unlicensed operation. 

But Tran regrouped: He traveled to Japan and then returned to host private omakase dinners, including out of a secret location in Fremont. There, he was known for his irreverent style,  including torching nigiri while wearing a leather harness and a ski mask emblazoned with the words, “Yes, daddy.” 

Tran is optimistic that his new restaurant will attract locals seeking delicious sushi at reasonable prices. He noted that the vibrant private dining experiences he offered previously were pricier than his takeout options, which led to some of his devoted customers feeling excluded. At Kinjo, Tran aims to deliver omakase-level sushi without the hefty price tag, targeting around $40 per guest.

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