Matsu To Bring Modern Japanese Cuisine To San Diego's North County Starting On September 30

September 22, 2021

Modern Japanese cuisine with Michelin-ambitions are on the menu when the highly anticipated Matsu finally opens its doors in San Diego's North County on September 30. 

Chef William Eick brings 12 years of experience in traditional Japanese cooking to what he hopes will be a Michelin-starred, Modern Japanese experience in Matsu, unveiling at the 2,400 square-foot former Flying Pig Pub space in Oceanside on Thursday, September 30. Named after the matsutake pine mushrooms native to Japan, Matsu will have 48 seats within a minimalist designed, sleek and modern interior dining room, intentionally leaving space for guests to have a very personal dining experience. The interior features handcrafted dining furniture by local artisan Chapman Cochran. Eick opens Matsu with an elite team of industry professionals, including corporate executive pastry chef Felipe Orozco, formerly of Market Del Mar, and bar manager Aaron Lara, who previously worked at VAGA in Encinitas.

"For years, I've challenged myself day in and out to go beyond the recipes, ingredients and influences - beyond what exists - to give guests a series of firsts in dining," said Chef Eick. "I'm humbled to give my community my all: an experience that reflects the full capacity of flavors unique to both our local area and Japan. My team and I are committed to carefully crafting dishes that have never been introduced in San Diego, with excruciating attention to detail."

 

Matsu will have a frequently changing menu with rotating a la carte dishes, as well as price-fixed, multi-course meal options. Eick, who formerly owned once-beloved 608 restaurant on nearby Mission Avenue, selectively procures ingredients straight from Japan and from farms and foraging around San Diego, blending tradition with the best of the local bounty. The restaurant's full bar will be mostly wine-forward, with the aim to offer perfect pours to expertly pair with dishes. 

During construction, Matsu operated a to-go exclusive eatery dubbed Naegi (meaning "sapling" in Japanese), which focused on Japanese fried chicken karaage, katsu sandwiches and onigiri rice balls. Eick also operated a bakery onsite that provided area restaurants with Japanese milk bread buns, rolls and loaves. Naegi will soon be a temporary food truck as Eick and his team search for a permanent location for the more casual concept. 

Reservations for Matsu are currently available online. The restaurant is located at 626 S. Tremont Street in San Diego's North County city of Oceanside. For more information, visit eatatmatsu.com and check out the launch menu below.