Where Is Chef Katsuji Now? Inside KatSushi Bar, His New RTP Sushi Spot

Photo via Alo Japan

Months after his shocking walk-off from Yes, Chef!, one question keeps popping up among viewers: Where did Chef Katsuji go? 

Straight back to the pass, it turns out. Top Chef veteran Katsuji Tanabe has just launched KatSushi Bar — a fast-casual sushi concept in Boxyard RTP that already has the Raleigh-Durham food scene talking.

KatSushi Bar Opens in Boxyard RTP in NC

The October 2026 debut plants KatSushi Bar inside Boxyard RTP, the food hall built from shipping containers in Research Triangle Park. Tanabe shares ownership with Raleigh restaurateur Anthony Rapillo. Their new restaurant moves into the old Lagoon Bar footprint, joining La Taqueria, the duo's other Boxyard operation.

What's on the Menu

At KatSushi, hand rolls are the heart of the menu: seasoned fish and rice wrapped in crisp toasted seaweed, assembled to order right in front of guests. Opening-day offerings include marinated salmon, spicy tuna with truffle mayo, crab salad, and a passion fruit and shrimp roll. Rice bowls and bright tropical drinks fill out the rest of the menu, while ramen bowls — once part of the plan — are on hold for now.

Hours and Location

KatSushi Bar welcomes guests Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Boxyard RTP.

Katsuji's Growing Triangle Empire

KatSushi marks the newest collaboration for Tanabe and Rapillo, who have opened a string of Triangle spots together in recent years — among them Flour & Barrel on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh and the Mexican eatery La Taqueria. Word is that a comeback for Tanabe's High Horse is also being plotted for RTP.

From a stunning reality-TV departure to an expanding restaurant portfolio, Chef Katsuji shows no signs of slowing down — and KatSushi Bar could be his next big hit.

Related: Why Chef Katsuji Tanabe Abruptly Left

Restaurant Power Ranger Servers 'Morph' into Real-Life Heroes to Save a Woman Being Attacked by a Man in Ramen Shop

Real-life employees dressed as Power Rangers spring into action when a woman is being attacked by a man having a "mental health crisis" near Noka Ramen cocktail bar in Oakland, California. The woman runs into the noodle shop and cocktail bar for help and the Power Rangers spring into action. It's Morphin' Time!

Noka Ramen staff photoTwitter user: @LACTAID

What happens when Oakland restaurant servers show up to their shift dressed up like Power Rangers?

They jump into action, of course, to save a woman in distress. The employees at Noka Ramen are real-life heroes.

For these employees, it was just a typical Friday night of cosplay to promote Asian culture when the situation happened at Noka Ramen, and they had to think fast to protect a woman in danger.

The employees don’t typically come to work to fight crime at the two-month-old Noka Ramen at 90 Franklin St. in Oakland, California, but on this occasion, it really happened.

Oakland's Noka Ramen Staff Help an Endangered Woman

Inside Noka RamenJason F./Yelp

ABC 7 News reported that on Friday, 14 October 2022, a woman ran into Noka Ramen in Oakland to take refuge while being attacked by a man around 8 p.m.

Employees dressed in their Friday Power Rangers costumes sprung into action to save the woman. The man attacking her put her into a chokehold and was shouting racial slurs. (Source: ABC 7 News)

Ploi Pirapokin witnessed the event. At first, she was unaware if the whole thing was staged but quickly realized that it was not a staged event. It was a real woman in a crisis situation needing real help.

She posted on Twitter:

“The craziest thing just happened at dinner. I’m at a ramen shop owned by Thai people in Oakland dressed as power rangers, when a woman comes rushing in saying she wasn’t safe — and a man came running in after her and puts her in a chokehold.” -Ploi Pirapokin, witness (Source: Twitter)

All of a sudden, the employees of Noka Ramen decide to help this woman.

“All of the servers, slash Power Rangers were moving towards the scene to help one another out.” -Ploi Pirapokin, witness (Source: Twitter)

She continued to describe the situation:

“Once the woman had expressed she wasn’t safe, and she didn’t want to go home with this man who was choke holding her, the black power ranger (the manager with a kickass bob) and the yellow ranger, told the man to leave.” -Ploi Pirapokin, witness (Source: Twitter)

According to ABC7 News, the “Power Rangers ended up piling onto the man and police showed up.”

Ploi Pirapokin noted that it was “the yellow ranger that took the man by the collar and dragged him out of the restaurant.” (Source: SFGate, Twitter)

ABC7 News learned from police after they detained the attacker, they believe the man was “undergoing a mental health crisis, and transported him for medical attention.” (Source: ABC 7 News)

Witness Ploi Pirapokin said that the way the employees came to help was very typical of Thai culture.

She said:

"Thai people are very playful. We like to laugh. Whether it’s to create harmony or balance, that’s our ethos. That’s how we approach something that’s scary or shocking or surprising. It’s something within us that we turn to laughter to try and peacekeeper right away.” -Ploi Pirapokin, witness (Source: Twitter)

These Restaurant Workers are not Crime-Fighting 'Vigilantes'

Ploi Pirapokin wanted to clear the air about these restaurant heroes:

”The restaurant wants to make sure the community understands the workers are not vigilantes but are ready to assist anyone in need of help. This was just an isolated incident.” -Ploi Pirapokin, witness (Source: Twitter)

So, to be clear, if you decide to eat at Noka Ramen in Oakland on a Friday night, don’t expect to see real crime fighting during your meal, but if someone is in need of help, the Power Ranger will be there to help.

Sources

Lim, Dion. “EXCLUSIVE: Servers dressed as Power Rangers at Oakland restaurant save woman being attacked.” ABC7 News. 17 October 2022.

Madrigal-Yankowski. “Bay Area restaurant workers dressed as Power Rangers intervene in alleged assault.” SFGate. 19 October 2022.

Twitter account: @ppirapokin