Most people don't associate sandwiches with Japanese cuisine, but one Austin business owner wants to dispel that notion, according to a report from Austin FOX affiliate KTBC.
KTBC reported that chef Dong Ho Choo left a job with a Japanese restaurant after 15 years to start Choo Sando. The eatery is at 8309 Research Blvd. on the city's north side.
Choo, of course, is the owner's surname while Sando is what the people in Japan call the sandwich, KTBC reported.
A sando is a culinary favorite in the Land of the Rising Sun, and unlike its Western counterpart, it uses milk bread, or shokupan, per the station.
Choo told KTBC that he gets shokupan from a local bakery.
According to the report, the roots of Choo Sando trace back to when the namesake proprietor helped out with a church fundraiser.
"God give me something," he said, KTBC reported. "(A) good idea. Sandwiches!"
The chef added that he was also motivated by "joy and happiness."
KTBC reported that the restaurant offers traditional sando such as the Tamago Sando, which is anchored by a Japanese-style egg salad, and the Katsu Sando, which consists of a panko breaded pork cutlet.
A few of Choo's creations included, but aren't limited to: The shrimp-filled Ebi Sando, the chicken-heavy KFC Sando and the Smokey Sally Sando, which has yuzu smoked salmon, the station reported.
Choo appreciates the influx of customers his place has been receiving.
"A lot of people support small business," he told KTBC. "That's the reason I love Austin."