On 24 May 2026, Chef Goji Kobayashi, Chef-Owner of Sushi Kuuya, joined fellow Japanese chefs from Samurai Chef Association Bangkok for a special charity dinner held aboard Okura Cruise on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River.
The evening brought together Japanese chefs working in Bangkok for a shared purpose: to use their craft and passion for cooking to give back to the community in Thailand.
Japanese Chefs Coming Together Through Food
For Chef Goji, cooking has always been about more than what is served on the plate. It is also about respect for ingredients, craftsmanship, the people behind the food, and the community that supports the restaurant.
Participating in the Samurai Chef Bangkok Charity Dinner was an opportunity to step outside the intimate counter at Sushi Kuuya and cook alongside fellow chefs who share the same dedication to Japanese cuisine.
Each chef brought their own background, techniques and personality to the evening, coming together to create a dining experience with a greater purpose.
Chef Goji Kobayashi — From Sushi Kuuya to the Charity Dinner
Chef Goji is the Chef-Owner of Sushi Kuuya, an intimate omakase restaurant in Langsuan, Bangkok.
An American-born Japanese chef with more than 18 years of culinary experience, his journey has taken him from Otaru, Hokkaido, to Japanese restaurants in Los Angeles and San Francisco before eventually bringing him to Thailand.
At Sushi Kuuya, Chef Goji focuses on preserving traditional Japanese techniques while expressing the seasons through carefully selected ingredients, mainly sourced directly from his homwtown Fukuoka, Japan.
The charity dinner offered a different setting, but carried the same philosophy that guides his work at Sushi Kuuya: respect for the craft, respect for the ingredients, and cooking with purpose.
Giving Back to Thailand Through What We Do Best
Thailand has become an important part of Chef Goji’s journey and the home of Sushi Kuuya.
For this reason, being part of an initiative where Japanese chefs could come together and contribute through their own craftsmanship was particularly meaningful.
Rather than simply gathering around food, the evening represented something deeper — chefs using what they know and love to do to support and give back to the country and community that has welcomed them.
We are grateful to Samurai Chef Association Bangkok, Okura Cruise, all participating chefs and everyone behind the scenes who made this special evening possible.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who joined and supported the charity dinner.
For Chef Goji and the Sushi Kuuya team, it was an honour to be part of an evening where Japanese craftsmanship, food and community came together for a meaningful cause.
About Sushi Kuuya
Sushi Kuuya is an intimate traditional sushi omakase restaurant located in Langsuan, Bangkok, led by Japanese Chef Goji Kobayashi.
With a focus on seasonal ingredients, traditional Japanese culinary techniques and warm hospitality, Sushi Kuuya offers a personal omakase experience served directly by Chef Goji at the counter.
Sushi Kuuya
Langsuan, Bangkok, Thailand
Tuesday–Sunday | Dinner at 17:30 and 19:30
Weekend lunch available
Discover Sushi Kuuya and make a reservation through our website.