After returning to the U.S., he joined the opening team at Californios in San Francisco, helping establish it as one of the city’s most respected dining destinations. During this time, he also earned his Certified Sommelier credential, deepening his understanding of wine and its connection to food.

In 2021, Chef David opened Nisei, his own restaurant in San Francisco, as a personal exploration of Japanese-American cuisine – a reflection of his heritage, identity, and creativity. His cooking bridges cultures, presenting refined dishes that balance tradition with innovation.

In 2022, Chef David was nominated for the James Beard Award for Emerging Chef, a recognition of his distinct voice and evolving vision in modern gastronomy.

Today, at Nisei, he continues to push the boundaries of Japanese-American cuisine, creating food that is both deeply personal and universally resonant – a cuisine that honors the past while shaping the future.