If you’re in Victoria, you’ve probably spotted a Pika Sushi store or two. Starting from our Gippsland roots in Bairnsdale, to Morwell, we kept expanding. Now we’ve got as far as Drouin, our first sushi train outlet in 2024.
It’s easy to see the sign and think we’re just another sushi shop. But, over time, we’ve grown more than that. If you ever wondered where Pika Sushi came from, grab a hand roll, and let’s get into it.
It Started With a Simple Idea
Pika Sushi kicked off back in 2016. The idea, led by our owner Michael Worden and a team with heaps of hospitality experience, was to build something for the community, right here in Gippsland.
From day one, we wanted to be more than a sushi restaurant. We wanted to redefine what fast-casual dining could be. That means, no shortcuts on quality. We offer freshly made sushi rolls, customisable bowls, and bento boxes that deliver flavour. The vision was simple: to spread joy and inspiration through food crafted with love.
Growing Through Good Values (P.I.K.A.)
So, how does a local sushi spot grow from a humble beginning to ten outlets across Victoria? For us, it’s sticking to what matters.
We baked our values right into our name:
- P – Passion: A genuine love for what we do, from the food, the service, and the people.
- I – Integrity: We’re doing the right thing, even when no one’s watching.
- K – Kindness: We treat our customers, teams, and communities with respect and care.
- A – Agility: Being quick to adapt, grow, and respond to challenges creatively.
Other than commitment, that agility has been especially important. Like many local businesses, we’ve faced our share of challenges, but staying creative and community-focused kept us rolling.
A Local Business We Can Be Proud Of
This is the part we’re most proud of. As we’ve grown, we have built a business that gives back. Supporting local events and forming community partnerships have been a part of our story from the start. And it seems to be working.
We were thrilled when Pika Sushi Cowes won the 2025 Quality Business Award for Best Sushi Restaurant. It shows all the hard work and effort our team puts in every day is being recognised.
At the end of the day, Pika Sushi is a success because of you. Every time you grab a quick lunch, order a platter for your events, or simply dine in, you’re helping us grow and continue doing what we love. For that, we’re incredibly grateful.
