Fish Butcher

Overview

Ogawa Sushi & Kappo is seeking a Fish Butcher / Fish Prep Specialist to support our omakase program. This role is primarily daytime, prep-focused , and centers on the careful cleaning, gutting, and precise breakdown of delicate whole fish , many of which are flown directly from Japan.

This position is ideal for someone who prefers daytime hours , enjoys highly focused prep work, and takes pride in exceptional knife control and finesse . Our fish is delicate, high-value, and unforgiving—precision matters. Small mistakes impact texture, yield, and ultimately the guest experience at the counter.

This is not a line-cook role and not a retail fish-cutting position. It is a specialized support role designed to relieve the head chef of intensive prep work while maintaining the highest omakase standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Clean, gut, scale, and break down whole fish with extreme care and precision , preserving flesh integrity and minimizing damage

• Perform detailed knife work including filleting, trimming, skinning, pin-bone removal, and portioning under chef direction

• Prepare fish specifically for nigiri, sashimi, and controlled aging , following Edomae principles

• Maintain immaculate organization and sanitation of prep stations, knives, and cutting boards

• Properly label, store, and rotate fish in accordance with food safety and omakase handling standards

• Assist with yield awareness and waste minimization for high-cost seafood

• Support the sushi team by completing prep during daytime hours to ensure seamless evening service

• Follow all food safety, cross-contamination, and workplace safety protocols without exception

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience cleaning and breaking down whole fish in a professional kitchen, seafood market, or sushi environment

• High-level knife skills with a demonstrated ability to work gently and precisely on delicate proteins

• Experience with sushi, Japanese cuisine, or fine-dining seafood programs strongly preferred

• Strong understanding of seafood handling, sanitation, and food safety practices

• Comfortable working independently in a quiet, detail-driven prep environment

• Culinary school or seafood processing experience is a plus but not required

Schedule Fit

• Well-suited for candidates seeking daytime prep hours rather than evening service shifts

• Ideal for experienced prep cooks, fish butchers, or sushi professionals looking for consistent, focused work without front-of-house pressure

Why This Role at Ogawa

You will work with exceptional seafood , support one of Philadelphia’s most refined omakase counters, and contribute directly to the quality of each guest’s experience—without the demands of counter service. This role rewards patience, discipline, and craftsmanship.