When Randy and Cinthya Garcia opened Oshen in October 2024, they wanted to fill the void of a family-friendly sushi spot in their own neighborhood. Immediately, South Charlotteans welcomed them with open arms, and today they operate a thriving restaurant that serves lunch and dinner six days a week.
The menu features sushi, nigiri, shareable plates and craft cocktails, with Japanese techniques and flavors throughout. One highlight is the Nigiri Canoe: an 18-piece nigiri sampler, which is raw fish served atop hand-pressed sushi rice. The sampler includes three pieces each of their six nigiri offerings and is presented in a long wooden "canoe."
THE INSPIRATION
"The inspiration came from wanting to give guests the opportunity to experience our entire nigiri program," says Cinthya, co-founder and owner of Garcia Hospitality Group. "The canoe naturally became the perfect vessel because it complements the coastal-inspired identity of Oshen."
THE WOW FACTOR
While sushi chefs prepare the nigiri behind the bar, they save the final touches for the table. When presented, the server finishes selected pieces with a touch of salt or a kiss of fire. "Guests pause the moment it arrives," says Cinthya. "We hear lots of 'wow' reactions. Phones are pulled out immediately for photos. It’s definitely a show-stopper."
THE NIGIRI
If you love raw fish and a little taste of everything, the Nigiri Canoe is for you. Current nigiri offerings include tuna, salmon, yellowtail, scallop, eel and nobuaki. The only challenge will be selecting your favorite.