Known for creating some of the best sushi in the state, Masaaki Koyama shut the doors to his renowned Geeveston eatery in November after coming down with decompression sickness, or “the bends”, hookah diving for scallops on Bruny Island.Mr Koyama ended up in the Royal Hobart Hospital’s hyperbaric medicine unit, grateful that his injuries weren’t worse.Now after spending a few months recovering, Mr Koyama said he’s excited to get back to work on Friday serving up his delicious gourmet creations to the masses.
“Bends treatment was really good at the Royal so I came back really well,” he said.I’m still having a problem with my neck injury, I’m a little bit weak with one side, but almost good — so I can go back to work.“I’m excited, but I’m very nervous because I know it’s going to be very busy.”Based on the hundreds of comments on the Facebook post announcing their return on the mass of messages they had received, they knew they were in for a crazy couple of days as Tasmanians got their sushi fix.Mr Koyama spent Thursday in the kitchen preparing for the hordes.“We’ve already started receiving a lot of orders,” he said.“We’re still doing temporary takeaway, but I see every time more people are coming so we’ll see how we go.”Mr Koyama’s sushi put Geeveston on the map for foodies, and over the past few years he has been working hard to renovate the former St Peters Anglican Church to create his new restaurant.
But following his illness and the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, Mr Koyama said they were unsure exactly when they would be able to fully open the doors to their new space.“It has been stressful, but many people have been supporting us through it,” he said.“We’re just slowly, slowly building everything up.“Inside is nearly done, but still we want to change the windows and make a nice awning outside.“We are also doing walkway work. We just made a concrete slab outside so now hopefully so we’re going to start laying some beautiful stone“We’re getting there slowly.”Their seafood, vegetarian or vegan tasting packs can be ordered online at masaaki.com.au or you can find Massaki’s shop at 15 Arve Road.
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