Oishii, a Japanese ramen and hibachi grill restaurant, is the recipient of the City of Williamsburg’s 2021 Business Appreciation Award.
Mayor Douglas Pons presented co-owners Amy Lau and David Lam with the award during the City Council meeting on Thursday, June 10, 2021. The award recognizes City businesses whose hard work and dedication make the City of Williamsburg a better place to live, work, and visit.
Lau, who earned her MBA from William & Mary, and Lam started out as employees at Oishii before purchasing and revamping it a few years ago. When the pandemic hit, former William & Mary students began a social media campaign to encourage people to support the restaurant. The newly raised awareness, combined with their already prolific social media presence, enabled them to continue operating without a dining room.
“We do thank you Mayor Pons and everyone who is here to witness this,” Lau said during the ceremony on Thursday. “We just have amazing things in store for the next few years for not only the restaurant but for the city as well. Thank you so much.”
Watch a short video on the restaurant.