Katsuya Ko restaurant to open Feb. 5 at Westfield UTC

The new concept is a more casual dining alternative to the upscale Katsuya restaurant chain

Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:55pm

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Katsuya Ko, the newest restaurant concept from the international sbe Entertainment Group, will open on February 5 at Westfield UTC shopping center in San Diego. Katsuya Ko is designed to be a more casual, warm, youth-oriented and approachable option than the more upscale Katsuya restaurant chain, offering shareable plates, a central robata grill and design-forward ethos.

Why it matters

The opening of Katsuya Ko at Westfield UTC represents an expansion of the popular Katsuya brand into a more casual dining experience, catering to a younger demographic and offering a new dining option in the diverse San Diego food scene.

The details

Katsuya Ko will offer a Pan-Asian menu including sushi, sashimi, maki rolls, baked crab hand rolls, yellowtail jalapeño, chicken and kimchi gyoza, Wagyu sando, and katsuya fried chicken. The robata service will feature beef tenderloin kushiyaki and sweet potato with miso butter and yuzu yogurt. The 3,000-square-foot restaurant will seat 112 guests, with 80 seats indoors and 32 on the patio.

  • Katsuya Ko will open on February 5, 2026.
  • Reservations are now open.

The players

sbe Entertainment Group

An international hospitality company that owns and operates the Katsuya restaurant brand.

Sam Nazarian

Founder and CEO of sbe Entertainment Group, who created the Katsuya Ko concept.

Chef Katsuya Uechi

Chef who collaborated with Sam Nazarian on the Katsuya Ko concept.

Westfield UTC

The shopping center in San Diego where the new Katsuya Ko restaurant will be located.

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What they’re saying

“'Katsuya Ko is our contemporary interpretation of the Katsuya legacy — reimagined for the next generation with dishes crafted for sharing from sushi and sashimi to robata-grilled favorites. We're thrilled to have a foothold in one of Southern California's most diverse dining scenes, and we look forward to welcoming visitors and locals to a vibrant space where memorable meals and celebrations can take shape.'”

— Sam Nazarian, Founder and CEO, sbe Entertainment Group (sandiegouniontribune.com)

What’s next

Reservations for Katsuya Ko are now open, and the restaurant is scheduled to open on February 5, 2026.

The takeaway

The opening of Katsuya Ko at Westfield UTC represents an expansion of the popular Katsuya brand into a more casual, youth-oriented dining experience, offering a new option for the diverse San Diego food scene.