Jason Liang
Brush Sushi Izakaya | Decatur, GA
FEBRUARY 2018
Born in South Carolina and raised in Taiwan, Jason Liang grew up with a reverence for Japanese cooking and culture, and he worked his way up in Taipei’s hotel kitchens under the tutelage of strict, classically trained Japanese chefs. When Liang moved back to the United States in 2006, he settled in Atlanta and worked in mom-and-pop sushi spots. Baffled by America’s spicy mayo version of sushi, he dreamed of bringing Tokyo-style traditions and fish to Atlanta. In the meantime, Liang helped open One Sushi Plus and sharpened his skills at Craft Izakaya in Krog Street Market.
In 2016, Liang struck out on his own and opened Brush Sushi Izakaya in Decatur, where he offers Tokyo-style sushi and sashimi, spectacular omakase, ramen, and robata-grilled izakaya fare. It’s the sushi, though, that defines Liang. He believes in sourcing peak season seafood, instead of pandering with ubiquitous tuna, salmon, and yellowtail. And in line with Tokyo’s counters, his omakase isn’t about freshness—it’s about preparing fish to its best state though aging, curing, marinating, or smoking with hay. Authenticity is his highest aim. Fortunately for Atlanta, Liang also make a mean kara-age and chicken-seafood ramen, and he’s opening a second quick-serve concept, Momonoki, to feed the masses in Tech Square.
