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.

“It’s essentially a concept that guides you to eat lightly—it’s all about fostering a holistic lifestyle,” Leithy tells SceneEats. 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.

“We’re not just serving sushi platters and huge sushi offers; it’s a slower experience,” Leithy says. 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.