Sushi Chef – at Pokai Sushi Art

If you take real pride in a clean cut and a beautifully finished plate, this one is for you. Pokai Sushi Art is hiring a Sushi Chef, and for anyone building a career in Japanese cuisine in the UAE, it’s a vacancy worth reading properly before you hit apply.

Sushi is one of those crafts where the details always show. Rice seasoned just right, fish sliced with a steady hand, a roll that looks as good as it tastes. A restaurant with “Sushi Art” in its name clearly cares about that standard, and that’s exactly the kind of kitchen where a skilled chef can enjoy the work.

About the Role

As a Sushi Chef, you’ll be part of the sushi counter team, preparing and presenting sushi, sashimi, rolls and other Japanese specialities for guests. It’s a hands-on job, and guests often watch you work, so consistency, speed and cleanliness matter just as much as creativity.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare sushi, sashimi, nigiri, maki and hand rolls to the restaurant’s recipes and presentation standards
• Cook and season sushi rice properly, and keep the right quantity ready for each service
• Slice, portion and handle raw fish and seafood safely, with as little waste as possible
• Set up the sushi station before service and break it down carefully afterwards
• Check the freshness and quality of fish, vegetables and sauces every day
• Follow food safety rules at all times, including correct temperatures, storage and labelling
• Work smoothly with the kitchen and service team so orders reach the table quickly
• Keep knives sharp and equipment spotless, and report anything that needs repair or restocking

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Requirements

• Previous experience as a sushi chef or sushi commis in a restaurant or hotel
• Good knowledge of Japanese cuisine, knife skills and rice preparation
• Solid understanding of food hygiene; a food safety certificate is a plus
• Ability to work in a busy kitchen, including evenings, weekends and holidays
• Neat grooming, a positive attitude and a team-first mindset
• Basic English; additional languages are helpful

Skills That Help You Stand Out

Technical skill gets you the interview; habits get you the job. The sushi chefs who do well in busy Dubai and UAE restaurants are usually the ones who keep their station spotless without being reminded, who taste and adjust instead of following a recipe blindly, and who stay calm when twenty tickets land at once. If you also enjoy plating, with a neat garnish, a clean line and a touch of colour, you’ll fit right in at a place that calls itself an art.

What a Typical Shift Looks Like

Most sushi shifts begin well before the first guest walks in. You’ll check the fish delivery, cook and season the rice, prepare vegetables and sauces, and set out your knives and tools. Once service starts, the pace picks up: orders come in, rolls are built, plates go out. Between rushes you restock, wipe down and get ready for the next wave. It’s physical, you’re on your feet for hours, and it feels great when a table sends compliments back to the counter.

Salary and Benefits

The full package isn’t mentioned in the information we have. In UAE restaurants, offers for kitchen staff often include a salary, meals on duty, medical insurance, annual leave and sometimes accommodation or transport. Treat that as a general picture, not a promise, and confirm every detail with the employer during your interview.

Tips to Improve Your Chances

• List every restaurant you’ve worked in, the type of sushi you prepared and roughly how many covers you handled
• Be specific about your strengths, whether that’s nigiri, uramaki, sashimi cuts or special rolls
• Be ready for a practical trial; many restaurants ask you to make a few items on the spot
• Keep your food safety certificate, passport copy and experience letters ready to share

How to Apply