What if the best sushi in town wasn't from some trendy restaurant — but waiting for you right inside your neighborhood grocery store? The Bento Sushi bar in Dierbergs is an authentic, family-owned favorite more than two decades in the making. Built on a simple belief that fresh, authentic sushi should be accessible to everyone, this is the story of Ricky and Rachel Msina's passion for hand-rolled classics.
A Grandmother's Kitchen, A Chef's Foundation
Ricky's journey to becoming a sushi chef began when his family immigrated to St. Louis in 1984. Ricky’s grandmother became the household's culinary compass. "We would help her prepare food, and she would teach us how to cook and use different ingredients," Ricky recalls.
By 16, Ricky was working in a Japanese restaurant. By 19, he was captivated by the art of making sushi and trained under Japanese sushi chefs. "They trained me for about a year to perfect the rice," he says. "Good sushi starts with good rice." Four years later, Ricky was ready to build something of his own.
Bringing The Restaurant Concept
In 2003, Ricky and his wife, Rachel, opened a Japanese restaurant featuring an authentic Asian menu and a sushi bar. At the time, only about three sushi bars existed in the entire city. In 2008, sensing an opportunity to extend their reach into the community, the Messinas approached Dierbergs Markets. "We knew Dierbergs was the only market we wanted to work with. Their commitment to providing quality food to the local community aligned perfectly with our Christian values and goals," Rachel explains. By 2011, Bento Sushi had expanded into every Dierbergs location.
Ready to Try It?
Bento Sushi's top sellers are the California roll, the spicy roll, and the crispy roll. Rachel's personal favorite is the seafood wrap, loaded with fresh vegetables and a standout dipping sauce. If sushi is new for you, explore basic sushi on Tuesdays; traditional rolls are just $6 at Dierbergs. Fresh sushi, made with heart, right in your neighborhood. Sushi Tuesday may become your favorite day of the week.