MONROE, Conn. — Sushi lovers dining at J1 Sushi & Japanese Kitchen can feast on a wide variety of fresh rolls and special rolls like the American Dream. The restaurant also serves other Asian dishes, including General Tso’s Chicken and Pad Thai.
Wayne Jiang opened J1 Sushi on Oct. 22 with his wife, Lynn Chen, sister Vicky Jiang and her husband, Yongping Qiu after renovating the space last occupied by Dunkin’ Donuts at 447 Monroe Turnpike.
“It took us a long time to renovate this space — almost a year,” Chen said, adding business has been good so far. “We appreciate the Monroe community. They support us.”
“People like it so much for everything from the interior design and quality of the food, to the service from our crew,” Wayne Jiang said. “It’s our honor to serve the Monroe community.”
Jiang learned the restaurant business from his father, while working at the family owned Mr. J Asian Bistro in Guilford for 13 years. Since age 21, he has worked in the front end of the business, as well as the kitchen.
“Consistency is our top priority,” Jiang said. “I learned a lot of things from my father. He’s strict about providing good quality and service for our customers. He taught me by his actions.”
Jiang met his wife, Chen, in 2013 and the couple lives in Guilford. She handles most of the marketing and the menus for J1 Sushi & Japanese Kitchen.
“We didn’t see a sushi restaurant in Monroe and the people here are very nice,” Jiang said of choosing to open in town.
“We want to bring the delicious food here to share with everybody,” Chen added.
The Monroe Chamber of Commerce, Monroe Economic Development Commission, First Selectman Terry Rooney and Economic and Community Development Director William Holsworth held a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome J1 Sushi & Japanese Kitchen to town last Monday.
“I have to say, since I’ve been in office I tried really hard to get a sushi restaurant,” Rooney said. “I think I mentioned to you earlier that I talked to every sushi restaurant in the area and tried to get them to come here and nobody would — and out of the blue you guys showed up, and I’m so happy. Everybody in town is talking about your food. We’re very thankful to have you here. We really need a sushi restaurant, so we wish you a lot of success.”
Holsworth also welcomed the restaurateurs to Monroe and encouraged them call him whenever they need assistance from the town.
“Thank you very much for choosing Monroe to open your business and be part of our community,” Holsworth said. “This empty storefront was a Dunkin’ Donuts and the transformation that you made, both exterior and interior, just looks fantastic. Thank you for the improvements you made to the shopping center, thank you for providing sushi to Monroe and welcome.”
Lawren Hubal, a member of the Monroe Economic Development Commission, said, “I would just like to say I’ve been here several times. Not only is your sushi good, but you always made me feel very welcome and I just think you’re fabulous people. I look forward to coming here many times more.”
J1 Sushi & Japanese Kitchen is open Monroe through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 9:30 p.m. For information or takeout, call 203-880-5188, visit the restaurant’s website, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.
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