Withoon Mongkhonthanasap, aka Chef Boato, previously owned Hollywood’s Kazoku Sushi from 2007 to 2013. This February he debuted Amaebi, an Encino sushi bar named after the Japanese words for sweet shrimp. He’s been a sushi chef since he was 17 years old and still works behind the bar.

Popular dishes include halibut with yuzu and lemon, albacore with crispy onion, yellowtail with jalapeños and salmon carpaccio. Amaebi features a wide variety of nigiri sushi and rolls, with all items cut to order.

When Chef Boato isn’t at Amaebi, you may find him in Bangkok, where he runs a shabu restaurant called Hippoya Shabu Shabu.

16161 Ventura Blvd., Encino, 818-906-8913