Alex Smbatyan (center) accepts an award naming his Shogun Sushi restaurant Small Business of the Month. Presenter is Assemblyman Josh Hoover (second from right). Carmichael Chamber of Commerce President Rosie Buck (front left), Honorary Mayor Mike Rockenstein and Hoover’s staffer Natalya Sachuk join the celebration. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Assemblyman Josh Hoover has named a sushi restaurant his Small Business of the Month for June. 

Owner Alex Smbatyan took over the Japanese restaurant three years ago. Re-branded and with imaginative tweaks to the sushi concept, the Carmichael eatery has since doubled in floor size and now employs a staff of 20.

Smbatyan grew up in food service. His Armenian family came to California when he was a child and his parents ran a teriyaki restaurant. “I worked with them and my passion for quality dining blossomed,” he recalled.  “I learned to love authentic Japanese food. It became my ambition to establish a restaurant dedicated to sushi.”

In addition to traditional dishes, Smbatyan and his mom Ofelya have reimagined expectations. Customers beg them for dressing recipes. “I tell them our ingredients,” Smbatyan told Hoover. “They tell me their version doesn’t taste the same. I say it’s because my mom didn’t make it.”

The menu introduces son and mom's Yuba City Roll, their Fair Oaks Roll and a Carmichael Roll. Students, attests Smbatyan, love an 'ARC Roll' that includes cucumber, avocado and tempura shrimp -- capped by torched fish. “With our special house sauce, it melts in the mouth," boasts the boss.  

Hoover’s award came as a blessing. “It gives us confidence for the future,” Smbatyan considered. His plans include a full liquor license and acquiring more neighboring space for expansion.

The restaurateur has also helped non-profits. “Business is good,” he noted. “I feel that if you come to a community with the idea of giving, you’ll receive in return. Shogun Sushi fans last year voted the business ‘Best Sushi Restaurant’ in the Best of Carmichael contest. Shogun Sushi is located at 7330 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Carmichael.

Assemblyman Hoover’s award program highlights 7th District business owners. Winners get a framed resolution and promotion via the legislator’s newsletters.

To nominate a business for the award, Contact Assemblyman Josh Hoover through his website: [email protected].