Itoshii is different from the other all you can eat ones since they are the first to introduce tablet customers to place their order. The staff sets up the tablet and you can start looking at the menu straight away. You can always check your order, and after checking you place your order which stays on screen so it is easy to remember what have you ordered. Each person can order 5 items at a time and after you placed the order, food is being started to be served in a blink of an eye.

Since the restaurant does not want to waste food, they charge extra for the left items, HUF 300 for sushi and HUF 600 for warm dishes. You can enjoy your food for max 2, 5 hours in Itoshii.

The drink menu is separate because they want to keep in contact with customers and keep adding extra values to their stay.

You can also buy sashimi for an additional price.

They trust and like their products and they are using different flavours and sauces to make it outstanding sop even returning customers can get diversity.

Home delivery service will start soon.


1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
On 6 January 2014 to launch the first Itoshii restaurant in Budapest. We started by re-styling the restaurant, from the lamps to overall decoration - we used colours to bring the place to life. I am working for my brother who is one of the owners of this brand, I originally came for three months but I’m still here, it’s a great feeling for me to be part of launching the brand in Budapest.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Although my family is originally from China I was born, grew up and studied in Netherlands. This is my first time living and working abroad, it’s challenging and enjoyable.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
Back in Holland I was very excited to coming to Hungary. After I arrived things changed, as I had to realize that what might be logical back at home; is not so obvious here. For example delivery companies insist we sort the empty bottles before arranging to return them, back home this is handled by the bottle companies themselves since it’s their business. When restyling the restaurant had to realize that here in Hungary the gas pipes run outside the wall and they cannot be covered. But what about the parts which run through the wall we thought (as they are covered). We had plans ready from The Netherlands but had to make many changes like that, and it was difficult to understand why exactly. We even had to change the outlook of the billboard at the front of the restaurant as authorities said they didn’t like our design, for no specific reasons apparently

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
To be honest, I don’t know, since it feels like I have been working all the time since I arrived. So I haven’t seen too many things so I would not know what to show them, therefore I would enjoy exploring together with them!

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
None in particular, I have eaten in Sir Lancelot, Leroys, TGI Friday’s, Wasabi, but I haven’t tried much Hungarian food so I cannot really say.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Sprite – I always used to drink Sprite but these days it doesn’t really matter to me what I drink, as long as it’s non-alcoholic.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
The most important one: Köszönöm.

8. What do you miss the most from home?
Family and friends mostly, although for me it doesn’t matter where I work as using technology I can stay in contact with them.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Nearly everyone wants to be a millionaire, but can you buy new family, new friends? As that’s not possible I can say I’m totally satisfied with what I am doing.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Because of my parents background and how they raised me I appreciate and respect every kind of job.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Hong Kong with my girlfriend and my brother. It is the home town of my parents and they still have the house there, which helps a lot regarding accommodation since hotels there are very expensive, however food is cheap and delicious!

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
In New York for a vacation with my girlfriend. We haven’t met since I came to Hungary, and it is going to be our first time in US, and so I’m excited about this trip, and am really looking forward to relaxing and recharging my batteries.

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Playing sport was my hobby: kung-fu, kick-box, basketball, football, fitness, and jogging. No music of film comes to mind in particular

14. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?
Challenges.

15. Red wine or white?
I’ve never tried either, nor any alcoholic drink.

16. Book or movie?
Neither, I work too much!

17. Morning person or night person?
Both, I sleep well once I closed my eyes and so it doesn’t matter what time it is, I can sleep and wake up at any time I need.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
I know a lot of things are not perfect in the world, and so it’s hard to choose one. Just like everyone I can make wrong decisions. What I do know is that after working in the restaurant business for 12 years, if I see bad things happening I know how to deal with it in an empathetic way. I have learnt how to interact in a kind way, and that is how to best teach others about the right way. So in society in general, I could say the a lack of understanding between people is what causes issues, and so there is need for more kindness in the world.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
Pest.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
I always think with God in mind. If something goes wrong, I ask for wisdom, and good health. You have to think for yourself, no one else can tell you what you need to do, and you have to be kind to yourself, just as with others. This is a form of give and take. I want to give everything without the need for ‘taking’ anything in return, as this attitude usually produces the situation where others give back freely. By giving from the heart here in the restaurant we hope customers will come back again and again.