Jimi Cendana moved to Texas for the humidity as a way to help with one of his son’s health conditions.

He brought along with him his California-founded restaurant, Mafia Sushi. With more than 20 years of sushi chef experience, Cendana opened the first Texas eatery for the brand in July 2022 in Katy.

Cendana said he relies on face-to-face customer interactions to promote his business—emphasizing hospitality and great service over social media marketing.

“We have to give before we take,” Cendana said. “You smile [at] the customer and that speaks a lot.”
The wagyu shikaku ($25.99) is a seared Japanese A5 wagyu tipped with yuzu, kosho and ponzu. (Courtesy Mafia Sushi)
The wagyu shikaku ($25.99) is a seared Japanese A5 wagyu topped with yuzu, kosho and ponzu. (Courtesy Mafia Sushi)
Must-try menu items

Mafia Sushi’s extensive menu includes hibachi, gyoza, tempura-fried vegetables, ramen, salads, fried rice and a large variety of sushi rolls and sashimi.


Some rolls are baked, some are offered without rice, and others are served with fresh, raw fish, including eel, tuna, salmon and shrimp.

Cendana said the most-ordered rolls include the American Gangster, made with spicy snow crab wrapped in soy paper and topped with assorted fish, avocado, crunchy flakes and creamy sesame sauce.
The Animal roll ($8.99) is made with seared albacore sushi, garlic, black pepper, jalapeño and fried onion. (Courtesy Mafia Sushi)
The Animal Roll ($8.99) is made with seared albacore sushi, garlic, black pepper, jalapeno and fried onion. (Courtesy Mafia Sushi)
Other favorites include the Refreshing Roll with tuna, salmon, yellow tail and thinly sliced jalapeno, and the Sunday Funday Roll, consisting of spicy tuna, masago—a type of fish egg—and crab salad.

Something to note

Cendana runs the restaurant alongside his brother, Anusorn Sittivilai, and head chef Liong Thjin. They work together to develop the restaurant’s aesthetics and menu.


The group plans to open another Mafia Sushi in the Houston area by the end of 2025, Cendana said.
Co-owners Jimi Cendana (left), Anusorn Sittivilai (right) and head chef Liong Thjin (middle) work together to run Mafia Sushi in Katy. (Courtesy Mafia Sushi)
From left: Co-owner Jimi Cendana, head chef Liong Thjin and co-owner Anusorn Sittivilai work together to run Mafia Sushi in Katy. (Courtesy Mafia Sushi)
As an immigrant from Indonesia, Cendana said he uses hospitality and a welcoming environment at Mafia Sushi to work around language barriers and communicate his vision to his customers.

“I don’t speak English very well, but I can speak through food,” Cendana said.