Chef Johnny Dain’s love of Japanese food began in the Philippines when at the tender age of seventeen he began working as a kitchen-hand in a Japanese restaurant in Manila city.

Finding his first love in food he learnt quickly, and by copying the Japanese chef and practicing at home he soon became an impressive study with a sharp knife! Johnny was soon promoted to sushi chef and in no time at all became head chef.

Fast track sixteen years to the year 2000 and Johnny arrived in Dunedin New Zealand as the first Filipino sushi chef. Working in all your favourite Japanese restaurants (Tokyo House, Tokyo Garden, Jizo, Minami, Makimono, Café Tokyo, Sushi Express), Johnny helped to set up shop and train staff to his highest standard.

The past eight years Johnny has had a change of scene working as head chef at the Carey’s Bay Historic Hotel in Port Chalmers. Loving the fresh seafood available to him while working and living in a sea-port, Johnny has long been dreaming of opening a sushi bar in Port Chalmers.

Sushi Johnny is the realisation of that dream and Johnny is now delivering fresh tasty sushi to a legion of fans, friends, locals and visitors. 

Fresh Sushi is Johnny’s passion and Fresh Everyday is his motto.

Come and visit Johnny in Port Chalmers try some of his freshly made sushi today.