'It's kinda like God's plan' — New Japanese restaurant coming soon to Ashland
ASHLAND – A new Japanese restaurant is coming to Ashland — with a twist.
Edamame Hibachi Wings and Sushi at 1159 E. Main St., the former Belly Busters BBQ that closed in June 2020, will soon open, though due to supply chain shortages of equipment and furniture, a date hasn't been set yet.
This will be Edamame's third location, with the first two in London and Troy, Ohio and a fourth location in Lancaster coming in 2022.
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Owners Eric Budiasa and Rona Simarmata looked for a new location for a year and Ashland became the perfect spot for the married couple. The couple has long dreamed of having their own business.
"It's been very welcoming," Budiasa said. "Everybody we work with has been responsive."
Budiasa and Simarmata want to keep expanding, hoping to open six to eight locations later this year.
When asked about the stress of opening restaurants during a pandemic, Budiasa and Simarmata take it in stride.
"It's kinda like God's plan," Budiasa said.
Since coming to Ashland at the end of November, Budiasa and Simarmata have received a positive reception from the community and other businesses, and have joined the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce.
"They're going to be a great addition to the community," Director of Operations Amy Daubenspeck said.
Why chicken wings?
The idea to include chicken wings at their hibachi and sushi restaurants came when Budiasa and Simarmata wanted their restaurant to have a modern twist that other sushi and hibachi restaurants didn't offer. It was their own identity.
Along with the wings, there'll be seven sauces to choose from and numerous sushi options, including Philadelphia, avocado, cucumber and California rolls.
Unlike typical hibachi restaurants with a wide cooking surface surrounded by chairs and tables, Edamame will prepare food in the kitchen, Budiasa said.
Edamame will be able to seat around 40 to 50 people, and Budiasa and Simarmata want to expand seating with an outdoor patio area during the summer with local musicians performing outside, they said.
Until Edamame's grand opening in Ashland, Budiasa and Simarmata will continue to focus on their expansion plans across Ohio.
"It's challenging," Budiasa said. "We've been blessed with two other locations [that're] doing great. ... We just let it grow."
Reach Grant at gritchey@gannett.com
On Twitter: @ritcheygrant
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Edamame Hibachi Wings and Sushi Japanese restaurant coming to Ashland
