Black Ship Little Katana

In 1852, Matthew Perry, father of the USA Steam Navy, was assigned a diplomatic mission by American President Millard Fillmore to open Japanese ports to the west trade. The Admiral sailed 4 steam ships from Norfolk, Virginia to Japan. Along that trip the salt water stained the metal ships black. At that time, the Japanese had never seen such machines and referred to them as the “black ships”.

This is where we take our name.
Perry didn’t just open up Japan but all of Asia. This fateful meeting of the East and West cultures plays out in our menu. You will find our creative spin on traditional Japanese, Korean and American dishes.

Black Ship is the creation of Odes Kim, mastermind of prized local sushi restaurant Little Katana in Highland Park.