Critically-acclaimed Chef Shingo Akikuni will open his very first restaurant, SHINGO, on Thursday, May 11, 2023 inside the historic La Palma building in Coral Gables. SHINGO is an intimate, 14-seat, omakase restaurant that will offer an 18-course dining experience featuring traditional Japanese nigiri, seasonal sashimi and Yakimono dishes with premium sake pairings. Chef Akikuni brings his years of experience and accolades to SHINGO. Most recently, he served as executive chef at Miami’s Japanese fine-dining restaurant Hiden. Under his helm as executive chef, Hiden was one of the first restaurants in Miami to be awarded one star from the MICHELIN Guide in 2022.
The 850-square-foot space has been entirely designed and constructed by expert woodworkers in Kyoto, Japan before being de-constructed, transported and reassembled in Miami. Upon entering SHINGO, guests will feel as though they have been transported to Japan’s classic omakase dens. The restaurant features traditional Japanese design elements and vintage materials, including the use of Hinoki and Sugi woods on the counter, ceiling and grand entrance, which doubles as an art gallery. The dining room features an intimate “L-shaped” 14-seat counter made of a rare 10 meter slab of Hinoki wood. Special touches and details are found in every moment at SHINGO, from the unique silver chopstick holders, crafted to resemble food shapes, to an array of custom-made ceramic plateware created by Kyoto-based ceramics maker Shin Murata.
Passionate about sharing Japanese culture through food in America, Chef/Owner Akikuni is excited to add to the thriving dining scene in Miami and seeks to provide diners with an individualized experience based on their personalities and preferences.
“I first moved to Miami five years ago, and I feel that the restaurant scene has been booming year by year, featuring so many passionate and talented chefs whom I call my colleagues and friends,” says Chef Shingo Akikuni. I'm overjoyed to be able to open my first restaurant in Coral Gables using the experience and skills I've learned working in restaurants in Tokyo, New York and Miami. I’m looking forward to serving our guests dishes that change with the seasons and to continue to add value to the culinary landscape in Miami.”
The 18-course menu at SHINGO will change seasonally, with a rotating selection of fresh sushi variations and Yakimono dishes which are prepared through traditional grilling practices. Guests can expect dishes such as Japanese Binchotan Charcoal Grilled Eel topped with caviar and fresh wasabi served with premium sake. Personally sourced and selected by Akikuni himself, SHINGO'S fresh ingredients are imported from Japan and found locally in Florida.
Shingo Akikuni is a third-generation sushi chef originally from Osaka, Japan, and is recognized as one of the best sushi chefs in Florida. Growing up making sushi at his family-owned restaurant in Osaka, Chef Akikuni was taught and trained by both his father and grandfather before coming to America in 2017. Previously, Akikuni served as Sushi Chef at an award-winning sushi restaurant in Tokyo, before moving to Miami and taking on positions as Sous Chef at Sushi Azabu, and, finally, as Executive Chef at Hiden, where the restaurant was awarded a Michelin Star.
SHINGO is located at the La Palma building at 112 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables, FL 33134. SHINGO will be open for dinner five days a week (Tuesday – Saturday) with two seating options at 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM. The 18-course omakase experience is $180 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. An optional wine and sake pairing is available for $95 per person.
