Katsuya Ko is a new offshoot of the globally recognized Katsuya restaurant brand, created by hospitality group SBE in collaboration with renowned chef Katsuya Uechi. The concept hosted a soft opening event on Friday night with a full opening in the next few weeks following final permitting and inspections from the city.
Katsuya Ko represents a deliberate evolution of Katsuya, designed to be more approachable, family-friendly, and relaxed while maintaining the culinary DNA that made the original restaurants famous. The word “Ko,” which translates to “child” in Japanese, reflects the idea of what Katsuya’s next generation might look like - youthful, warm, and accessible to diners of all ages.
Located inside Westfield UTC, Katsuya Ko joins a growing lineup of high-profile Asian-inspired restaurants that have transformed the mall into one of San Diego’s most competitive dining destinations. The opening follows years of momentum at UTC, which has attracted brands like Din Tai Fung, Marugame Udon, Ramen Nagi, and Menya Ultra, redefining expectations for what a mall-based restaurant experience can be.
While more casual in tone, Katsuya Ko is still firmly rooted in Japanese culinary tradition. The menu blends classic Katsuya staples, including sushi, sashimi, and hand rolls, with comfort-driven dishes and shareable plates designed for everyday dining. Items like yakitori, gyoza, miso-forward small plates, and Ko-exclusive offerings aim to strike a balance between familiarity and innovation, while appealing to families, students, and shoppers alongside longtime fans of the brand.
The La Jolla location also marks a return to San Diego for the Katsuya name. The company previously operated Katsuya by Starck at the Andaz Hotel in downtown San Diego from 2012 to 2014, before that space eventually became STK Steakhouse. Katsuya Ko represents a fresh start in the region, with a format better aligned to San Diego’s lifestyle-driven dining culture.
Designed as an all-ages environment, the space emphasizes warmth and comfort rather than nightlife energy, positioning Katsuya Ko as a go-to option for lunch, dinner, and early evening meals rather than a late-night destination. With UTC continuing to attract both locals and visitors, the restaurant is expected to draw a steady mix of families, students, and professionals from across La Jolla and University City.
Katsuya Ko is will soon announce its grand opening hours at 4303 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 2105, inside Westfield UTC in San Diego’s University City neighborhood. For more information, visit katsuyako.sbe.com or sbe.com.
Originally published on January 11, 2026.
Designed as an all-ages environment, the space emphasizes warmth and comfort rather than nightlife energy, positioning Katsuya Ko as a go-to option for lunch, dinner, and early evening meals rather than a late-night destination. With UTC continuing to attract both locals and visitors, the restaurant is expected to draw a steady mix of families, students, and professionals from across La Jolla and University City.
Katsuya Ko is will soon announce its grand opening hours at 4303 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 2105, inside Westfield UTC in San Diego’s University City neighborhood. For more information, visit katsuyako.sbe.com or sbe.com.
Originally published on January 11, 2026.
.jpg)
