Cousins Ben Xu and Tony Yu have always shared a love for Chinese cuisine. In 2003, they became business partners when they purchased East Sushi.
“We came in to see it, and we loved the atmosphere and this town,” Xu said.
Xu said his family has always been in the restaurant business. His parents and grandparents have all owned or worked in restaurants that have primarily served Chinese cuisine. East Sushi has given a new twist to the family’s involvement in the restaurant business because it includes Japanese cuisine as well.
“Chinese cuisine is our background, but sushi was kind of new for us,” said Xu, who was born in China and moved with his family to New York City when he was 7.
Ten years later, Xu moved to Marlton, where he graduated from Cherokee High School. He finally settled in Ewing, a town he enjoys very much.
“It’s a very cozy little town,” Xu said. “Everyone is very friendly, and everyone knows everyone.”
East Sushi has remained in the same location in Ewing’s Suburban Square shopping plaza since its establishment. In 10 years as an established business, East Sushi has appealed to many of the same customers, Xu said, but the menu has been changed since Xu and Yu purchased the restaurant from its previous owner.
Some of these dishes have become especially popular with diners. “Pig on Fire” is one favorite dish at East Sushi. Made with shredded pork and hot peppers, Xu said it was one of the more traditional Chinese dishes.
Customers also enjoy the sushi rolls, such as the Sweetheart Roll, Dancing Dragon Roll, and of course, the house original East Sushi Roll, he said.
Some of the sushi bar’s dishes are only available as specials on the weekend. The main ingredient in the dish “Uni” may surprise some guests—it is made of a sea urchin, served raw from the bar. Sea urchin is a treasured delicacy in countries around the world, but not that well known in the U.S.
Before Xu and Yu went out on their own, Xu worked for his uncle at the Shanghai Express in Marlton, which his uncle still owns. Xu compared that family aspect to East Sushi.
“Our business is very family oriented,” said Xu, whose father works in the kitchen as head chef. The elder Xu has been in the restaurant business for almost 25 years. East Sushi also features a sushi chef from New York City.
East Sushi is a BYOB restaurant, and many visitors bring in their own bottles of sake, Xu said. The restaurant keeps some of the empty bottles on shelves set aside for display, and regulars are permitted to keep unfinished bottles on the shelves for their next visit.
East Sushi is located on 43 Scotch Rd. in Ewing, in the Suburban Square Shopping Center. Lunch is offered Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner is offered from 3 to 9:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 3 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 4 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. For more information about East Sushi call (609) 771-4499, or go online to eastsushi.net.
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