Umami Sushi Opening on Highland Road in Baton Rouge
If you've driven past the old Tsunami Sushi spot on Highland Road lately and wondered what was next, I've got good news: a hometown sushi favorite is moving in. Umami Japanese Bistro, the Burbank Drive restaurant a lot of us already love, is opening a second location in that same space. Here's the quick version in my latest Baton Rouge news video, and the full scoop is below.
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What happened: Umami takes over the old Tsunami space
Tsunami Sushi on Highland quietly closed back in August. According to The Advocate, the closure followed a company bankruptcy, and Tsunami's New Orleans location closed too. That left a prime restaurant space empty at 1 Smart Way, Suite 100.
On October 28, Umami Japanese Bistro announced on social media that it will open its second location right there. Co-owner Tien Le told The Advocate the owners signed the lease on October 27 and expected to get the keys within a day or so.
And here's my favorite part of the story. The landlord actually reached out to the Umami team years ago, before Tsunami ever moved in. When the space opened back up, the landlord called again, and this time the owners said yes. Sometimes the timing just has to be right.
The key details at a glance
Where: 1 Smart Way, Suite 100, on Highland Road (the former Tsunami Sushi space)
Lease signed: October 27, 2026
Target opening: January 2027
The original Umami: 3930 Burbank Drive, open since 2015
The owners: Jimmy Nguyen, Tien Le and Michael Tran, who also own Geisha Sushi with a Flair in Prairieville
Known for: sushi rolls, nigiri, hibachi, frequent specials and small plates like hamachi crudo and lollipop lamb chops
Don't expect a carbon copy of the Burbank location, though. Le said the team is still drafting plans for the space, and the new spot will have a different menu and creative direction, with "a good bit of differences between the two." What won't change, he said, is the quality: "we always guarantee you the best quality ingredients and the best resources."
Why it matters for Baton Rouge and Ascension
As a realtor, I pay close attention to what fills empty storefronts, because those spaces shape how a corridor feels day to day. When a restaurant closes, the big question is always how long the space will sit empty. In this case, the answer was only a couple of months, and the new tenant is a local, owner-run business that has been part of Baton Rouge's food scene for more than a decade.
That's a nice sign of confidence in the Highland Road area. Local owners choosing to expand here, instead of somewhere else, tells you they believe in the customer base. For folks in Ascension, there's a fun connection too: the same three owners run Geisha Sushi in Prairieville, so this is a team that already knows our region well.
And let's be honest, more good local food options are part of what makes a place feel like home. Whether you're a longtime resident or thinking about a move to the Baton Rouge area, the restaurants around you are a big part of everyday life.
What to watch next
The owners are still finalizing changes to the space, so keep an eye out for:
Renovation work at 1 Smart Way over the next couple of months
A first look at the new menu and concept, which Le says will differ from Burbank Drive
An official opening date, with January 2027 as the current target
I'll keep tracking this one and share updates as Umami gets closer to opening day.
Want more local news like this?
Every weekday I break down what's happening around Baton Rouge, Gonzales and the rest of the Capital Region, from new restaurants to big developments and road projects. Comment the word "Report" on the video above, or reach out to me directly, and I'll add you to my weekly newsletter that dives deeper into stories just like this one.
I'm Brian Mackey with Pivot Realty, here in the trenches gathering the news in the Baton Rouge area so you're always in the loop. If you have questions about buying or selling a home in Baton Rouge or Ascension Parish, I'm always happy to help.
