About

The meaning behind 美食家 begins with 美, the beauty found in food. It is not only about how a dish looks, but also the care, passion, and heart poured into every flavor. Food becomes truly beautiful when it is prepared with love.

The second character, 食, means to eat. While eating is one of life’s most basic needs, it is also one of the simplest ways people connect. Every meal brings comfort, warmth, and the feeling of being cared for.

The final character, 家, represents home and family. It symbolizes the people gathered around the table, sharing stories, laughter, and lasting memories. Together, 美食家 becomes more than a love of fine food—it reflects the beauty of bringing people together, turning guests into family, and creating a place where everyone feels at home.

That philosophy is at the heart of Kawaii Sushi & Asian Cuisine.

Founded on a passion for authentic flavors and genuine hospitality, Kawaii blends traditional Cantonese wok cooking with handcrafted Japanese sushi to create a dining experience that is both refined and welcoming. Whether you’re joining us for a quick lunch, a family dinner, a celebration with friends, or a romantic evening, our goal is simple: to make every guest feel like part of our family.

Our diverse menu offers something for everyone. Our sushi selection features Blue Point Oysters, Poke Tuna Salad, Baked Green Mussels, Spicy Tuna Jalapeño Poppers, the Kawaii Love Boat, fresh sashimi and nigiri, and an expansive selection of handcrafted specialty rolls made from scratch. Guest favorites include the Diablo Tower, Samurai Roll, Tsukiji Roll, Lucky Crab Roll, and Cha Cha Roll. That’s how we roll!

Authentic Cantonese cuisine remains a cornerstone of Kawaii. Signature favorites include Wonton Soup, Garlic Edamame, Homemade Potstickers, Crab Puffs, Orange Chicken, Walnut Shrimp, Shui-Zhu Beef, Sweet Soy-Glazed Pork Chop, Black Pepper Ribeye, Pan-Seared Flounder, Chilean Sea Bass, Spicy Garlic Eggplant, Chicken Fried Rice, and Beef Chow Fun—dishes that have become local favorites over the years. To complete your dining experience, Kawaii also offers a full bar featuring a curated wine list, an extensive sake selection, handcrafted cocktails, and imported beers from Japan and across Asia.

Kawaii Sushi & Asian Cuisine first opened its doors in Glendale on April 21, 2014, and expanded to a second location on December 1, 2018. As a true family-owned and operated restaurant, Kawaii was built through the hard work, dedication, and shared vision of Aunt Lisa, Uncle Wang, Uncle Sumarto, Kelly Yu, and many other family members whose commitment helped shape the restaurant into what it is today.

At the heart of Kawaii is Aunt Lisa, co-owner, manager, and the culinary inspiration behind nearly every dish on our menu. With more than 30 years of Cantonese wok-cooking experience, she has developed the recipes, house-made sauces, and signature flavors that define Kawaii today. Her dedication to quality, authenticity, and consistency is reflected in every meal we serve.

Working alongside her, Uncle Wang brings decades of Cantonese wok-cooking experience and continues to preserve the traditional techniques that give our Chinese cuisine its distinctive character. On the sushi side, our chefs Bruce Lee and Max Zhao trained under master sushi chefs with more than 25 years of experience. Today, they continue that tradition while bringing their own creativity, precision, and craftsmanship to every roll they prepare.

Beyond serving exceptional food, Kawaii is committed to investing in our community. We proudly created a program that provides first-time job opportunities for many young people, including local students, giving them the training, mentorship, and experience they need as they begin their careers. These efforts reflect what our guests and West Valley neighbors have come to know since the beginning and what has become our guiding motto: “Kawaii Cares.”

We are proud to be part of the Peoria, Glendale, North Phoenix, and greater West Valley communities. We believe that when our community thrives, we thrive together.

As Kawaii continues to grow, our commitment remains unchanged. We proudly carry our family traditions, handcrafted recipes, authentic flavors, and warm hospitality into every new community we serve. To us, 美食家 is more than beautiful food—it is about creating meaningful moments, sharing memorable meals, and making every guest feel at home.