Miya's

Miya's was a restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut, United States, credited as the first sustainable sushi restaurant in the world. The restaurant was founded by Yoshiko Lai, a Japanese nutritionist. As of 2021, they are permanently closed.

Cuisine
In 1982, Miya's was the first sushi restaurant in Connecticut, specializing in Kyushi-style recipes. With the creation of the sweet potato roll in 1995, Miya's began to create a plant-based sushi menu. By the late 1990s, 80% of the sushi menu had been converted into a plant-based one, and traditional sweetened white rice was replaced with a whole grain brown rice-based blend. In 2005, Miya's introduced its first invasive species menu, featuring locally caught invasive species such as Asian shore crabs and European green crabs.



Reception and awards

 * 2018: James Beard Foundation - Finalist for Blind Sushi
 * 2016: White House Champions of Change for sustainable seafood
 * 2013: James Beard Foundation - Best Chef nominee
 * Best of New England - Yankee Magazine
 * Best restaurants in Connecticut - Expert's Picks
 * Monterey Bay Aquarium - Sustainable Seafood Award and 2011 Seafood Ambassador Award
 * Fish2Fork - top 10 most sustainable seafood restaurants in the U.S.
 * 2010: Elm Ivy Award
 * Key to the City of New Haven

In popular culture

 * Miya's was lampooned by Saturday Night Live for its use of cicadas in sushi.
 * Miya's appeared on Good Food America.
 * Miya's chef Bun Lai appeared as a contestant on Food Network's Chopped.