Yasu Tanaka unveils new 8-seat omakase experience in Miami
- Jake Nicholas
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Michelin-recognized Chef Yasu Tanaka has just unveiled an intimate new concept: YASU Omakase, an eight-seat counter set to debut January 14 in the Miami Design District.
Designed as the most personal expression of Tanaka’s craft to date, YASU Omakase centers on a highly focused chef-to-guest experience where every element is intentional. Guests will be seated at a rare 600-year-old hinoki wood counter—material traditionally reserved for Japanese temples and shrines—establishing a sense of ritual, restraint, and precision from the moment the first course is served.
“Miami has embraced my craft and my vision. With YASU Omakase, I want to create something more personal, a place where guests can slow down and experience sushi in a way that feels intimate and true to its tradition.” - Chef Yasu Tanaka
The project is brought to life by Spicy Hospitality Group, the team behind The Joyce and Le Specialità, and unfolds as a single 14–16 course omakase.
The progression begins with a series of otsumami before moving through a meticulously paced selection of nigiri, followed by miso soup, a signature temaki hand roll, and a seasonal dessert. Seafood will arrive primarily from Toyosu Market in Tokyo, complemented by select Florida species, while Niigata rice and house-seasoned soy sauces are adjusted seasonally for balance and texture.
Chef Tanaka will lead the counter alongside longtime collaborator Raymond Li, whose global experience introduces a subtle South Florida sensibility without pulling the menu away from its traditional foundation. The goal is not to replicate a Tokyo sushi-ya, but to create a disciplined, deeply intentional omakase that feels grounded in both craft and place.
The room is deliberately restrained. Handcrafted kumiko woodwork, custom ceramics from Yamanashi, and PP Møbler seating keep the space quiet and focused, with nothing pulling attention away from the counter. A private room with a second hinoki counter is planned to follow shortly after opening.
Learn more, and book your seat, here: https://www.yasu-miami.com/
