RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. [February 17, 2026] – Triangle diners seeking a fresh, fast-casual option to meet their sushi cravings will soon have a new go-to spot at Boxyard RTP, the experiential dining and retail destination conveniently located within Hub RTP, Research Triangle Park’s (RTP’s) vibrant downtown destination. Slated to open this spring, KatSushi Bar is the latest concept from Top Chef alum Katsuji Tanabe and acclaimed Raleigh restaurateur Anthony Rapillo, bringing Japanese-inspired flavors and a modern sushi experience to RTP.
Rooted in Tanabe’s Japanese lineage, passion for Japanese cuisine and pursuit of the perfect hand roll, KatSushi Bar offers an inventive menu of hand rolls, rice bowls and ramen. Signature items include the Spicy Tuna Handroll with sesame truffle mayo and Classic Shoyu Ramen made with a traditional 16-hour broth, pork belly, soy-cured egg, bamboo shoots, green onion and nori.
“KatSushi’s offering is simple: good fish, good rice, good broth. No shortcuts,” said Chef Tanabe. “I’ve prepared these dishes for my friends and family for years, and now we can deliver that personal touch at Boxyard RTP. With hand rolls, you can see the fresh ingredients and try something different each time you visit. We put in the hours on the ramen broth ahead of time so we can deliver bold flavors with speed.”
A traditional hand roll, or temaki in Japanese, reflects a type of sushi that wraps the ingredients in a cone of nori, a crispy seaweed. KatSushi Bar will offer a variety of options on its main menu with room for rotating specials or featured fish.
“Boxyard RTP is a true incubator for chefs and operators to test new ideas and connect with the Triangle community,” said Rapillo. “After opening La Taqueria at Boxyard RTP last year, we knew it was the right home for KatSushi Bar, as well. We’re excited to keep pushing our creativity with a concept centered around bold flavors, craft cocktails and an upbeat atmosphere.”
KatSushi Bar will also feature cocktails curated by beverage director Duke Campbell, whose mixology background includes Raleigh favorites The Willard, Dram & Draught, and most recently, The Third House.
“This team represents some of the most respected and talented voices in the local food and beverage scene,” said Carolyn Coia, vice president of real estate, Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, which owns and operates Boxyard. “The flavors and concepts they are bringing to Boxyard align perfectly with what our community values – thoughtful innovation and high-quality dining experiences in a convenient location and engaging space. Whether guests are looking for a quick, delicious lunch break with work colleagues or a place to unwind with good company over the weekend, KatSushi Bar is another excellent addition to our food and beverage offerings.”
KatSushi Bar is located at Boxyard RTP, 900 Park Offices Drive, Suite 200 in Durham, N.C. For updates, follow @KatsushiRTP on Instagram.
About Boxyard RTP
Discover a unique retail, food and entertainment venue at Boxyard RTP, located on the western portion of Hub RTP, Research Triangle Park (RTP) ‘s 100-acre vibrant downtown district. First opened in 2021, Boxyard RTP offers a dynamic indoor-outdoor gathering space, dog park and performance stage comprised of 40 upcycled shipping containers where visitors can unwind and enjoy an experience unique to the Triangle region. Committed to social entrepreneurship, Boxyard RTP collaborates with a mix of hyper-local vendors to feature diverse offerings. Voted a three-time Durham Magazine Best of Durham winner for Large Venue for Live Music, Boxyard RTP enhances the cultural landscape of RTP through a robust event program that includes live music, comedy nights and more, accessible to people both within and beyond RTP. Owned and managed by Research Triangle Foundation, a 501(c)(4) non-profit, the Foundation’s mission is to facilitate collaboration among the Research Triangle universities, promote cooperation between Research Triangle universities and industry and create a positive economic impact for residents of North Carolina. To learn more about Boxyard RTP and upcoming events, visit https://boxyard.rtp.org.
About Hub RTP
Hub RTP, Research Triangle Park (RTP)’s new vibrant downtown is a walkable urban district designed to bring people together to work, stay, shop, drink and dine in RTP for the first time in its history. Hub RTP’s current phase will feature up to one million square feet of office and life sciences lab space, 50,000 square feet of experiential retail, 1,200 multifamily residential units, and 279 hotel rooms. An impressive 16 acres of parks and greenspace includes the award-winning and eco-friendly Burdens Creek, which connects more than 20 miles of trails in RTP. Centrally located in the heart of the Triangle region (comprised of Durham and Raleigh), the 100-acre district includes Frontier RTP, an innovative startup community, as well as Boxyard RTP, a unique food, retail and entertainment destination. To learn more about Hub RTP and current leasing opportunities, visit https://hub.rtp.org.
Media Contact
Ana Velez
Marketing Manager
Boxyard RTP