What Kai Sushi does

Kai Sushi is a Zurich-based, founder-owned Japanese restaurant and experiential gastronomy group operating under the legal entity Urban Food Culture AG. Founded in 2006 by Amit Shama-Levaillant, the company runs four full-service restaurants across the city (Oerlikon, Lessing, Schiffbau, Seefeld) offering handmade sushi, Japanese tapas, running sushi (kaiten), à discretion sushi, Omakase, and Shabu Shabu. Beyond the core dining footprint, the group operates two adjacent concepts: Kai Lab, a 16-24 seat experimental Japanese cuisine venue at Lessingstrasse 3 used for workshops, sushi courses, Omakase experiences, and private events; and Kai Boat, a private sushi cruise offering on Lake Zurich aboard a Marex 360 CC yacht for up to 10 guests. The underlying operating technology is conventional restaurant tooling: the Aleno online reservation system embedded across all locations, an owned e-commerce platform (order.kaisushi.ch) for delivery and takeaway, the e-guma voucher storefront, and standard Google Maps location integration. No proprietary technology, model, or platform has been disclosed.

The business model is multi-stream, with revenue generated across dine-in (the four restaurants), B2B and private catering (mobile restaurant, Japanese buffet, live cooking stations from CHF 60/person with add-on hourly staff fees), online delivery and takeaway across Zurich, sushi courses for individuals and groups, gift vouchers, and the Kai Boat cruise packages (CHF 100-130 per person across three package tiers). Pricing across streams is largely à discretion or per-head, ranging from CHF 30 (children) to CHF 100+ per adult, supplemented by hourly staff rates (CHF 50-100/hour) for events. The customer base is split between individual Zurich diners seeking premium Japanese experiences and corporate/event clients procuring catering, with consumer demand driven by special occasions, casual premium dining, and culinary tourism; the company maintains earned media coverage via Falstaff, Tages-Anzeiger, 20 Minuten, Best of Swiss Gastro, and Zürich geht aus. All operations are confined to a single city (Zurich, Switzerland); the owner-operator model and absence of external funding mean growth has been self-funded and incremental.

Name

Kai Sushi

Legal name

Kai Sushi – Urban Food Culture AG

Website

https://kaisushi.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kai Sushi is a Zurich-based, founder-owned Japanese restaurant group operating four dining locations plus Kai Lab (experimental cuisine/events) and Kai Boat (Lake Zurich sushi cruises), serving individual diners and corporate/event clients with handmade sushi, Omakase, catering, sushi courses, and delivery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sushi Restaurants

NAICS

Full-Service Restaurants (722511), Special Food Services (7223)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Retail-Eating Places (5812)

akta.pro primary industry

Chef’s Table & Tasting Menu Restaurants (THAFACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Specialty & Dietary Catering (Halal, Kosher, Vegan, Allergen-Free, Medical) (THAHAKAK)

Keywords

• Sushi restaurants
• Japanese cuisine
• Japanese tapas
• Sushi catering
• Sushi courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Zurich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Dine-in Restaurant: Four restaurant locations in Zurich offering Japanese sushi, Japanese tapas, Omakase dining experiences, and Shabu Shabu. Revenue from food and beverage sales to walk-in and reserved guests.
2. Catering Services: B2B and private event catering including mobile restaurant setups, Japanese buffet, and live cooking stations. Offers three main catering packages with customizable add-ons.
3. Delivery and Takeaway: Online ordering platform for delivery across Zurich and takeaway from restaurant locations. Delivery service available during specific hours.
4. Sushi Courses and Workshops: Sushi making courses held at Kai Lab, taught by Sushi Masters. Courses available on scheduled dates and for private groups.
5. Kai Boat Private Cruises: Yacht charter experience on Lake Zurich for up to 10 persons with sushi packages and Japanese dining. Includes various beverage packages.
6. Vouchers: Gift vouchers sold through their e-guma online shop.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kai Sushi operates four dine-in Japanese restaurants in Zurich (Oerlikon, Lessing, Schiffbau, Seefeld) under parent Urban Food Culture AG, serving handmade sushi, Japanese tapas, Omakase, and Shabu Shabu. The group extends its offering through two branded experience concepts — Kai Lab (Japanese experimental cuisine venue, workshops, private events) and Kai Boat (private sushi cruises on Lake Zurich) — and provides supplementary catering, sushi courses, takeaway/delivery, and gift vouchers.

Product overview

Kai Sushi is a sushi restaurant group operating four restaurant locations in Zurich (Oerlikon, Lessing, Schiffbau, Seefeld) under the parent company Urban Food Culture AG. The core offering consists of handmade sushi and Japanese Tapas served in modern-styled restaurants. The product portfolio extends beyond dining through Kai Lab (experimental cuisine venue for Omakase, workshops, and private events) and Kai Boat (private sushi cruises on Lake Zurich). Additional services include Sushi Courses for group learning experiences, Catering for private and business events with mobile restaurant and buffet options, Take Away & Delivery via online ordering, and Gift Vouchers. The company emphasizes traditional Japanese techniques combined with innovative Pacific-inspired creations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kai Lab: Japanese Experimental Cuisine - Ort für kulinarische Träume, Workshops, Testesser-Kreationen und Private Cooking Events
• Kai Boat

Products and services

• Kai Sushi Restaurants Handmade sushi and Japanese tapas restaurants in Zurich offering à discrétion sushi, running sushi on kaiten belt, a la carte dining, Omakase, and Shabu Shabu across four locations (Oerlikon, Lessing, Schiffbau, Seefeld).
• Kai Lab Experimental Japanese cuisine venue that serves as a development kitchen, test tasting space, Omakase experience location, sushi course classroom, and private cooking event space; seats 16-24 persons in Zurich.
• Kai Boat Private Sushi Cruises Private sushi cruises on Lake Zurich using a Marex 360 CC yacht for up to 10 persons with crew and equipment included; offers Sushi, Japanese Tapas, and Shabu Shabu package options.
• Sushi Courses Sushi making classes taught by Sushi Masters at Kai Lab covering sushi preparation from rice cooking through fish filleting to rolling; available as scheduled group sessions or private events.
• Catering Mobile sushi catering service for private and corporate events offering mobile restaurant setups with staff, Japanese buffet options (one-way and premium), and live cooking shows by Sushi Masters, priced per person with add-on hourly rates for staff and Sushi Master.
• Omakase Experience Traditional Japanese chef's choice dining experience where guests entrust the Sushi Master with their meal selection; features a curated sequence of courses including Kaiseki, scallop, bao, tartare, yakiniku, and dessert.
• Shabu Shabu Japanese hot pot dining concept featuring a boiling broth with fish, meat, or tofu and vegetables, served with house-made sauces and handmade ramen noodles; available in all restaurants, on Kai Boat, and via delivery.
• Take Away & Delivery Online ordering service for sushi and Japanese dishes delivered throughout Zurich and as takeaway from the restaurants via the order.kaisushi.ch platform; delivery available during specific operating hours.
• Gift Vouchers Digital gift vouchers sold via the e-guma integration (shop.e-guma.ch/kaisushi), valid for use across all Kai Sushi restaurants and experience venues.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dörig & Brandl AGcoreOthersFish supplier providing fresh seafood for Kai Sushi's sushi and Japanese cuisine offerings. Described as a long-term trusted supplier relationship.
• Zweifel GD AGcoreOthersBeverage and wine supplier providing drinks and wines for Kai Sushi's restaurants. Long-standing partnership.
• The Organics by Red BullminorOthersSupplier of specialty drinks (Red Okra Water, Soullly Matcha Soda, Awake Maté Lemon Tea) featured on Kai Sushi's menu.
• VerganiminorOthersSupplier partner mentioned on Kai Sushi's about page.
• Gelateria LeonardominorOthersIce cream maker that produces custom-flavored gelato for Kai Sushi, including Yuzu-Mango, Miso-White Chocolate, Matcha-Pistachio, and Black Sesame-Charcoal varieties.
• allink - Web and Branding AgencycoreTechnology or IntegrationSwiss branding and web agency that designed Kai Sushi's website and brand identity. Created the new design and markenauftritt launched in 2018.
• DJ Sophie SilverminorOthersCurated partner for music/entertainment services.
• Le JosyminorOthersPhotography and film partner for Kai Sushi's visual content.
• Lukas LienhardminorOthersPhotography partner for Kai Sushi's visual content.
• Simon ZanggerminorOthersPhotography partner for Kai Sushi's visual content.
• TuricumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to create a custom handcrafted gin 'Turicum' in collaboration with Kai Sushi, unveiled at the Schiffbau opening event in 2018.
• Liora LilienfeldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoga instructor partnership for combined Yoga & Sushi events, including Mama Booster Yoga nights, Yoga Flow sessions, and Yin Yoga with live music.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Itsu: UK-based Asian-inspired restaurant and food-to-go chain offering sushi, noodles, and bentos through dine-in, takeaway, and delivery. Comparable to Kai Sushi in combining casual sushi dining with a delivery/takeaway revenue mix.
• YO! Sushi: UK-headquartered sushi and Japanese restaurant chain with multiple dine-in locations, delivery, and a kaiten-style conveyor offering. Direct peer to Kai Sushi in Japanese restaurant multi-unit operations, takeaway, and Asian tapas/menu extensions.
• Sushi Shop: European sushi restaurant and takeaway chain with locations across France, Switzerland, and other markets. Direct peer in multi-country Japanese dining with dine-in, delivery, and retail-style takeaway offerings.
• Wasabi Sushi & Bento: UK-based sushi and bento multi-location chain. Operates dine-in plus takeaway/delivery models for sushi and Japanese dishes, comparable to Kai Sushi's mix of restaurants, take-away, and delivery across Zurich.

Regional players

• ZFV (Zürcher Frauenverein): Swiss hospitality group specializing in corporate and institutional catering, staff restaurants, and event catering. Comparable to Kai Sushi in operating B2B/onsite food service in Zurich and across Switzerland, an adjacent angle to Kai's catering line.
• Moshi Moshi Restaurant Group: Swiss multi-location Asian restaurant brand focused on sushi and Asian cuisine across Switzerland. Regional direct peer with overlapping Japanese cuisine menu and takeaway offerings in the same German-speaking Swiss market.

Broad incumbents

• Mövenpick Restaurants: Established Swiss restaurant group with multiple casual and themed dining concepts. Broad incumbent relevant because it competes in the same Zurich premium-casual dining market with broader menu and stronger scale.
• Bindella: Swiss restaurant and Italian dining group operating multiple locations across German-speaking Switzerland. Broad incumbent in the same premium multi-location Swiss restaurant space, though positioned in Italian rather than Japanese cuisine.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/kaisushi.ch
• Instagraminstagram.com/kai_sushi_zurich
• TikToktiktok.com/@kai_sushi_zurich
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kaisushi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kai Sushi