The Buildout Katana Kitten
Dec 31, 2025
Masa Urushido, the innovative bartender behind Katana Kitten in NYC, shares his journey from a shy newcomer in Japan to a celebrated cocktail creator. He discusses the mentors who shaped his skills and the camaraderie of New York’s bar scene that fueled his growth. Masa delves into the unique flavors of his menu and the challenges of crafting cocktails like the daikon martini. He emphasizes the importance of community support and gives advice to budding bar owners, encouraging them to seek guidance and embrace mentorship.
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Early Career Beginnings
- Masa moved from Nagano to Tokyo and started behind a bar after working as a food runner, learning craft from a mentor Antonio-san.
- He spent several years in high-end restaurant bars in Japan before relocating to New York at 26 in 2008 to continue his bartending path.
Formative NYC Mentors
- In New York Masa found work through connections, starting at Ruby's then Kingswood and later Saxon + The Daily, where intense service shaped his style.
- He credits mentors like Paul, Kenta-san, Naren, and Nacho for forming his bartending identity and network.
The Text That Launched Katana Kitten
- In 2017 Masa got a text from James Tune and Greg Boehm inviting him to open a Japanese bar, which led directly to Katana Kitten.
- The name fused 'katana' craftsmanship with playful 'kitten' energy to signal precise but fun Japanese-American identity.