Article & Photo by Jamie Blotske

Family was evident upon walking into the doors of NaRa at 10am on a Saturday, as the restaurant was preparing to open later that day. And that is exactly what owner and chef Dae Shin would credit the success of one of Billings’ most accomplished and long-standing sushi restaurants to… family.

It all started in 1996 when Dae’s parents first opened NaRa. Reflecting on those early days, sushi was, as he put it, “a tabu topic,” as many people in Billings were unfamiliar with the idea of eating sushi. His parents had to pave the way, and with that came an “unbelievable amount of love, sweat, tears, and perseverance to create what we have today,” Dae said, describing those ground-breaking days. As with any family business, Dae grew up in the restaurant and started in the back, washing dishes around age 14. When he was 20, his father sent him to Korea as a sushi apprentice. During his time there, he grew in knowledge of the sushi trade, learning new techniques and brainstorming innovative ideas.

With a fresh new outlook and finely-tuned skills, Dae and his wife, Tanya, took over NaRa in 2012. “We have been blessed to be able to continue on the NaRa tradition of keeping the business in our family’s name. Our four children are also a part of our family business, just as I was when I was younger. Our oldest, Ayden, is our sous chef in the kitchen. Our younger three (Abel, Amelia, and Ava) help in the front of the house by clearing tables and greeting customers. We absolutely love being able to have our children work side by side with us at a place that was created with so much hard work, dedication, and love by my family,” Dae shared. Continuing on the topic of family, Dae and Tanya were very quick to include those who make up their talented team at NaRa. “Without each and every one of them, we would not be where we are today. They are the backbone of our business. Our Sushi Chef, Dustin, and our Kitchen Chef, Kaycee, are always coming up with new and amazing dishes for our customers. They are always thinking outside of the box and finding new ways to impress. Their work is truly a work of art.”

It was no surprise to hear that the number one goal and priority at NaRa is for each guest to feel valued, appreciated, and, well, like family! The atmosphere would be described as casual, whereas the experience would sway towards fine dining. Casual in that they want every walk of life to frequent their establishment. “We like to keep our ambiance feeling welcoming for everyone,” Dae said. The food is anything but casual, as the sushi and kitchen entrees are considered a work of art. “It is not something made ahead of time. Everything is made from scratch and made per order. Each order is getting just as much heart and soul poured into it as the last,” Dae explained. Come as you are and stay for the experience, which is essentially what it boils down to at NaRa. “We are not fast food, so we want our customers to be able to come in, relax, and enjoy themselves.”

New to NaRa? Dae, Tanya, and the team would love for you to stop by and give them a try! Nara is known for several of its mouth-watering dishes. The Rollin’ Red, Slammin Salmon (Tanya’s favorite), and the Nacho Roll are from the sushi menu. From the kitchen menu, Mongolian Beef/Chicken, Drunken Noodles, and Red Curry Chicken Ramen (when available). The most popular appetizers include Phat Boys, Korean Chicken Wings, and Poke Nachos. These are just a few of the delicious dish options at NaRa. There is something for everyone’s palate; if these items don’t fit the bill, simply ask your server. “Our main server, Jillian, is very knowledgeable in finding something that will entertain your tastebuds,” Dae said.

With awesome lunch and weekday evening dinner specials, anytime is a great time to stop by NaRa for a dining delight! Dae, Tanya, family, and staff would love to meet you or welcome you back if you’re a returning guest. As Dae said, the thing he loves most about running the restaurant is the people! “I love meeting and creating new, lasting friendships with our customers. They are the ones who make it so we can continue to bring our passion of food to life. Come in and meet our family and crew. Enjoy some mind-blowing food and leave as friends for life. Thank you, Billings, for three generations of continued love and support!”  

Originally printed in the November 2024 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

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