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Oishii Boston closes after 27 years in South End

Oishii Boston closes after 27 years in South End

Money Moves Boston, MA local

The sushi spot served its last meal on Father's Day; its license has been removed from the city's active list.

September 18th, 2026: License missing from active list

Overview

Updated Sep 18

Oishii Boston, a South End sushi institution for 27 years, served its last meal on Father's Day. The city's active food establishment list no longer shows its license, confirming the closure.

The restaurant was known for upscale Japanese dining and omakase, and its departure leaves a gap in the neighborhood's dining scene. The brand continues at other locations, including Oishii Too.

Why it matters

The closure removes a 27-year anchor from Boston's South End dining scene, leaving the space at 1166 Washington St. open for a new tenant.

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Key Indicators

27
Years in operation
Oishii Boston operated for 27 years before closing.
1
Other Oishii location
Oishii Too remains open in the Boston area.

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People Involved

TY
Ting Yen
Founder and executive chef
Continues to operate other Oishii locations

Organizations Involved

Oishii Boston
Oishii Boston
Restaurant
Closed

Upscale Japanese restaurant in Boston's South End.
City of Boston
City of Boston
Municipal open-data publisher
Licensing authority

The city's licensing department maintains the active food establishment list.

Timeline

December 1998 September 2026

5 events Latest: September 18th, 2026 · 2 months ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. License missing from active list

    Latest Regulatory

    The license is absent from two consecutive readings, indicating the closure is official.

  2. License last seen on active list

    Regulatory

    Oishii Boston's license appears on the city's active food establishment list for the last time.

  3. Oishii Boston serves final meal

    Closure

    The restaurant closes at the end of business on Father's Day.

  4. Oishii expands to South End

    Expansion

    Oishii opens at 1166 Washington St. in Boston's South End.

  5. Oishii Sushi Bar opens in Chestnut Hill

    Opening

    Chef Ting Yen opens the first Oishii location in Chestnut Hill.

Scenarios

1

New restaurant opens at 1166 Washington St

Likely Resolves by Jun 21, 2027

Discussed by: Boston restaurant observers

The South End location is prime real estate. A new tenant could take over the lease and open a new restaurant, as has happened with other closed Boston institutions.

2

Space remains vacant

Possible Resolves by Jun 21, 2027

Discussed by: Local real estate analysts

The space could sit empty for an extended period, as has happened with other restaurant closures in the area. High rents and changing dining trends may deter new tenants.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1875-2012

Locke-Ober (2012)

Locke-Ober, a fine-dining institution in Boston, closed in 2012 after 134 years. It was known for its opulent interior and celebrity clientele.

Then

The space was taken over by a new restaurant, which later closed.

Now

The building remains a landmark, but the original restaurant is gone.

Why this matters now

Shows how even the most established Boston restaurants can close, and the space often gets reused.

1827-2019

Durgin-Park (2019)

Durgin-Park, a historic New England restaurant in Boston's Faneuil Hall, closed in 2019 after 192 years. It was famous for its family-style service and no-frills atmosphere.

Then

The space was redeveloped into a food hall.

Now

The closure marked the end of a tourist landmark.

Why this matters now

Another example of a beloved Boston institution closing, with the space repurposed for new dining concepts.

Sources

(5)
Oishii Boston Patch Boston Restaurant Talk What Now Boston City of Boston