New Sushi Bar to Open This Fall in Downtown Lafayette

By looking at the number of Mexican restaurants in Lafayette, some might say that's our favorite type of food. But, we'd venture to think that sushi is not far behind.

At least that's what the owners of a soon-to-be-opening sushi bar in downtown Lafayette are banking on.

Minami Sushi Bar should be opening this fall in the space at 533 Jefferson St.

According to The Acadiana Advocate, the restaurant is owned by Xue Chen and Kevi Ou.

The restaurant will feature a variety of sushi along with hibachi and ramen offerings, according to Chen. It will also include seasonal fish, red snapper, and sea bream.

Minami Sushi Bar will be located in the former Luna Bar & Grill space. The latter restaurant closed about a year ago after a three-year run in the Hub City.

Chen said the space will undergo some minor alterations, including light fixtures and bar panels.

“I’m trying to sell sushi but I’m trying to innovate and do something different,” Chen told The Acadiana Advocate. “Everybody sells the stuff because they’re trying to sell the stuff, but there’s no innovation.

"There’s less competition on that side of town, and there’s a lot of foot traffic on the weekends. There are a lot of office buildings there, so there’s going to be a good lunch crowd.”

Of course, one of Minami Sushi Bar's competitors downtown is one of Lafayette's original sushi restaurants, Tsunami Sushi. They're located just down the street at 412 Jefferson St.

We're sure there are plenty of sushi lovers so both can thrive and be downtown hotspots for sushi.