Moral of the Story: Make Sure Your Sushi Chef is Japanese?
New York, N.Y. — Ming Xi Zhang, a 61-year-old Chinese national and owner of YaYa Noodles in Montgomery Township, New Jersey, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 24, 2025.
Known locally as “Sushi John,” Zhang had been convicted in April 2024 of acting as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government.
He was sentenced to three years’ probation for his role in delivering funds and hosting Chinese government agents without notifying U.S. authorities.
Zhang lawfully entered the United States in 2000 but later violated the terms of his admission.
His conviction stemmed from activities in 2016, including meetings with Chinese security officials in the Bahamas and transferring $35,000 to an individual in New Jersey.
ICE Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris emphasized that any illegal alien involved in espionage or sabotage against the U.S. is subject to deportation.
In an interview Zhang did with communitynews.org in 2013, the paper reported:
“A sushi chef with culinary flair and immense geniality, Sushi John, a resident of Princeton, welcomes all comers to his 12-seat sushi bar in the Ya Ya Noodles restaurant at the Montgomery Shopping Center…
“Born Ming Xi (in English, John) Zhang in Qingdao, a city of over eight million in eastern China near the ocean, Zhang encountered lots of fresh, high-quality seafood as a child. “It was number one in the world for the quality of its seafood,” he says, noting both its freshness and variety…
“Living in Qingdao, Zhang grew up eating the Chinese-style fish his father loved to cook. “My dad liked the fish steamed, then put some sauce, ginger, wasabi and hot oil on the top; it was very delicious,” he says…
“As conversation flows easily between Zhang, this reporter and a editor/photographer from the Princeton Echo, he asks a couple of question to ascertain our likes and dislikes and deftly creates one sashimi or sushi dish after another, each uniquely flavored and beautifully presented…
“Knowing who his customers are and what they like is one of Zhang’s specialties. “I know everybody’s name; the second time I see them, I can call them by name,” he says...
“Charles Leighton, who lives in Kendall Park but also works in Skillman, says, “The food is always extremely fresh, and these two gentlemen are about the most decent, kind people you would ever want to have serving your food. It is educational; and they are very accommodating. It’s my neighborhood diner, except upscale.” Then he adds, “You also learn a little Chinese when you come here.”
“Zhang didn’t start off life as a master sushi chef. At Ocean University of China In Qingdao, he studied electrical engineering, and he worked in human resources for the government for about eight years.…”
Zhang’s arrest follows heightened concerns about foreign espionage activities targeting critical U.S. infrastructure.
He remains in custody at the Elizabeth Detention Center awaiting immigration proceedings. His family and restaurant staff expressed hope for bond or parole while noting strong community support for him.
Sushi Chef Convicted as Chinese Spy Arrested by ICE (April 1, 2025)
#SushiJohn #NJNews #ICEArrest #NationalSecurity #ChinaSpy
#YaYaNoodles #EspionageCase #ImmigrationEnforcement #ForeignAgent
Tags: Ming Xi Zhang, Sushi John, YaYa Noodles, Montgomery Township, immigration,
ICE, China spy, espionage, foreign agents, national security, New Jersey
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