Bay View’s hunger for sushi will soon be satiated in spades. Hungry Sumo Sushi Bar & Asian Bistro is slated to open at 2663 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. in the former home of Cream City Swirl.
A lease has been signed for the building, and construction is expected to begin on the space relatively soon. In fact, if all goes as planned, restaurant owners Pimrapas Lertprasert and Thitichai Rukchon say they are aiming to open the restaurant by late spring or early summer.
According to Pimrapas and Rukchon, Hungry Sumo will offer a full range of sushi options – including nigiri, maki and sashimi – along with specialty rolls, many of which will feature a fusion of both Japanese and Thai flavors. Thai entrees will also be available, along with a selection of sake, wine and both domestic and specialty beers. Rukchon says they also hope to roll out ramen offerings starting next fall.
"We plan to offer options that are affordable for everyone," says Rukchon. "And on weekends, we will offer different sushi options featuring a variety of specialty fish that go beyond the typical tuna and salmon."
Natives of Thailand, Lertprasert and Rukchon came to the U.S. in 2009 by way of Chicago, where both have been working in restaurants. Rukchon, a chef whose family operates a street food business in northern Thailand, went to school in Bangkok where he worked under a Japanese chef to master the art of sushi.
Lertprasert, who earned her degree in hotel management and tourism, has years of experience with front of house management. She’s also a self-proclaimed food lover who says the Hungry Sumo menu will contain some items that are inspired by dishes she’s eaten in a variety of restaurants in both Chicago and New York.
"We love Milwaukee," she says, noting that they have been scouting locations for the restaurant for over a year. "The idea is to make Hungry Sumo unique. We are excited to bring this new concept and options to Bay View, and we’re excited to be a part of the neighborhood."
Once open, Hungry Sumo plans to be open for both lunch and dinner. Watch OnMilwaukee for additional details as they become available.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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