District 5’s Newest Japanese Eatery is All About ‘Flavour over Excess’

In Japan’s Okinawa, ‘Hara Hachi Bu’ is not merely a phrase but a rule. Eat until you’re 80% full, no more. It’s about restraint, balance, knowing when to stop. In District 5, it’s now the name of Cairo’s newest Japanese restaurant.

Founded by Tamer Leithy—the force behind Mori Sushi, Tamara, Mince, Ted’s, and The Grocer— alongside Egyptian actor Asser Yassin and other partners, ’Hara Hachi Bu’ is a deliberate departure from Cairo’s usual sushi free-for-alls. No overloaded platters, no endless rolls drowned in sauce. Just a measured approach to Japanese food, where quality isn’t lost in excess. In fact, it’s quality that ‘Hara Hachi Bu’ exists to deliver.
“We’re redefining what it means to serve Sushi; all of these other places are all about quantity and massive offers, that’s not what we’re doing, quality is the number one factor for us.” Leithy tells SceneEats.

“It’s essentially a concept that guides you to eat lightly—it’s all about fostering a holistic lifestyle,” Leithy shares. The idea extends beyond portion sizes. Seafood is flown in twice a week, never frozen, only chilled. The menu is stripped down to the essentials: premium sushi, carefully built ramen, dishes that speak for themselves.

Still in its soft-opening phase, Hara Hachi Bu is easing into its full form. The menu will grow, but the ethos is set: precision over indulgence, balance over abundance. “It’s a slower experience,” Leithy says.