Itacho Sushi chain founder Ricky Cheng dies from pancreatic cancer at 57

Ricky Cheng Wai-tao, the founder of Hong Kong-based Itamae Sushi chain, has died at the age of 57 from pancreatic cancer.

Cheng passed away in early April in Tokyo, Japan, according to his friends. He traveled to Japan in recent years to receive pancreatic cancer treatment, the sources added.

Cheng brought the Ajisen Ramen brand to Hong Kong via a franchise model in 1996 and established the Itamae Sushi and Itacho Sushi chains in 2004 and 2007, respectively. 

He was also the first Hongkonger to win the New Year bluefin tuna auction bid at the Tsukiji fish market and was the “Tuna King” for four consecutive years, starting in 2008. 

The Japanese food specialist was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 and revealed that he has been undergoing stem cell therapy in Japan as well as immunotherapy.