RESTAURANT STORIES - CHAPTER 1: WIN SR.
[ Spring of 2018. Pictured above Jubilee and Win Sr. post walk ]
From Refugee to Restaurateur: The Story of Win Sr.
Born and raised in the vibrant but politically turbulent country of Myanmar (Burma), Win Sr. was once a bright university student with dreams of becoming a civil engineer. But those dreams were abruptly upended when violence broke out on campus—gunfire echoing through the halls, forcing him and his classmates to scatter for their lives. The university had dared to publish stories exposing the harsh realities of a dictatorship, and the government responded with silence-breaking brutality.
In the years that followed, Win Sr. became part of something much bigger than himself: a resistance group called The Karen National Union , fighting to protect the innocent and defend the silenced. He risked everything to stand against a regime fueled by fear and power. Even today, the Civil War in Myanmar rages on.
Eventually, the cost became too high. With nothing but hope and a will to survive, Win Sr. fled across the border into Thailand. He lived in limbo for three years—waiting, praying, and navigating the uncertainty of a refugee's life—until he was granted a sponsorship visa to the United States. Step by step, he earned his green card and later, his citizenship.
In this new land, he started over from scratch. For over a decade, Win Sr. worked at Gambro BCT alongside his wife, Mrs. Win. They worked opposite shifts—one in the morning, one at night—so someone could always be home to care for their son, Win Jr. It was exhausting, unrelenting work. The bills were constant, the worries heavier than any suitcase they’d carried across borders.
But in his heart, Win Sr. believed there was something more waiting—if he had the courage to reach for it.
So, he took a leap of faith.
He enrolled in an intensive eight-month sushi course in California, offered by the AFC sushi franchise. It wasn’t just about rolling rice and slicing fish—it was a way to carve out a better life. Upon graduating, he was gifted a sushi knife, symbolic of a new beginning. A tool, not just for food, but for building a future.
Win Sr. set up shop in a small rented corner of the Walmart Deli on Evergreen Parkway, where he sold fresh, handmade sushi daily for 15 years. Slowly, steadily, his gamble began to pay off. Customers returned not just for the sushi, but for the spirit behind it—the quiet dedication, the warmth behind the counter, the taste of something made with care.
Still, there was a dream in his heart that hadn’t yet been realized.
One day, a long-time customer approached the counter. Mr. Simms, who had come to admire Win Sr.’s consistency and care, said, “I’m the landlord of this building. I’ve had a vacant unit for over a year. Why don’t you bring your dream of owning a restaurant and make it a reality?”
And just like that, the door opened.
But that part of the story—well, that’s for another time.
Your friendly neighborhood Sushi Cowboy,
Ryan @ Sushi Win Jr. 🍣🔥❤️