Local StoriesJuly 7, 2026

Exploring Life & Business with Simon Atapan of Sushi Sato DC

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Simon Atapan.

Hi Simon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
We always love a great AYCE concept but couldn’t really find the one we like, especially in DC area.
Once we did some research, we found that there is no AYCE sushi concept in DC.
This made us wanted to create an AYCE sushi place in DC that offers highest quality sushi, “MADE BY ORDER”, that’s how we started Sushi Sato.
Chef Simon Atapan (Chef/Owner) partnered up with Tim Ma Hospitality Group along with Chef Mai Newman (Chef/Partner).

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Restaurant business is never a smooth road for anyone. We have been through struggles and now we are in a lot better place. We truly appreciate our dear customers for their kind support from day one up to today and for them to continue their support in the future.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Sushi Sato DC?
I have been a partner of the restaurant/hospitality group for over 12 years.
We were doing businesses in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and DC. However, I went separate with the investor/group in the beginning of 2024 before I started this new business in Northeast of DC with Tim Ma Hospitality Group and Chef Mai Newman.

I am both a chef and owner, so Chef Mai and I created the menu and recipes together.
We believe quality and great taste comes first and we are proud to say we source the ingredients from the same place as most omakaze places.

So far, Sushi Sato is the brand I am proud of the most.

Sushi Sato offers both A la Carte and AYCE experiences with a Very Happy Hour that runs daily from 4:30-6:29pm (yes, 6:29pm, not 6:30pm), and we are closed on Monday.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Chef Tim Ma and Tim Ma Hospitality Group for being a great partner, Chef Mai Newman and Chef Pablo Catalan who help fought through the tough times together.

Pricing:

Simple AYCE $48
Standard AYCE $58
Premium AYCE $78
A la Carte ($30-60/person)
Very Happy Hour starting from $1

Contact Info:

Website: https://www.sushisatodc.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sushisatodc/?hl=en

Young woman in white shirt and green cap standing indoors near a black wall, smiling, with dim lighting and exit sign in background.

Dining area with tables, chairs, and a large window overlooking an outdoor scene, wall with textured pattern, and ceiling lights.

Table with various dishes, drinks, and a bottle of wine, set against a dark background.

Empty restaurant with tables and chairs, large window, modern decor, and ceiling lights, daytime setting.

Outdoor dining area with tables and chairs, surrounded by a wooden fence and greenery, under a covered roof.

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