AUSTIN, Texas — Central Texans have seen many businesses shutting down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. KVUE wants to help "Keep Austin Local" by highlighting small businesses that might need a little help.
On Wednesday, KVUE stopped by Kome Sushi Kitchen on Airport Blvd.
The restaurant opened in 2011 after the owners Takehiro and Kayo Asazu took over an old restaurant and transformed it into Kome Sushi Kitchen.
The food is not exactly traditional Japanese restaurant food, but it is authentic home-style Japanese cooking inspired by other cultures and cuisines.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused the restaurant to go from being a full-service dine-in restaurant to a take-out-only restaurant. They also had to lay off 90% of their staff. The restaurant has been able to stick around through contactless curbside take-out and a dedicated staff.
On the menu, you can find recipes inspired by the owner’s backgrounds from Japan, New Orleans, Austin and their travel through Asia. They like to call it “Asazu cuisine."
Kayo Asazu says the restaurant is known for fresh, authentic, homestyle Japanese food in a casual, friendly and safe environment.
PHOTOS: A look inside Kome Sushi Kitchen
“The community still knows we care about them, and that can be seen by our curbside operations as well as what we do for our community, such as giving our free meals for our neighbors during the snowstorm, and donating to the African American Youth Harvest Foundation," Asazu said.
As for reopening their dine-in options, Asazu said they are looking forward to reopening, but there are several factors at play that will have to fall in line in order for them to reopen.
You can find Kome Sushi at 5301 Airport Blvd. or online.
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