Cuisine

A New Experience of Omakase debuts in Miami Design District

YASU Omakase, an intimate eight-seat omakase experience from Michelin-recognized Chef Yasu Tanaka, debuts January 14th in the Miami Design District.

Por: Alejandro Carrillo
Building on the acclaim of Sushi Yasu Tanaka, Michelin-recognized chef Yasu Tanaka introduces a new and highly personal dining experience in the Miami Design District: YASU Omakase / Photo via Miami Design District
Building on the acclaim of Sushi Yasu Tanaka, Michelin-recognized chef Yasu Tanaka introduces a new and highly personal dining experience in the Miami Design District: YASU Omakase / Photo YASU Omakase

Building on the acclaim of Sushi Yasu Tanaka, Michelin-recognized chef Yasu Tanaka introduces a new and highly personal dining experience in the Miami Design District: YASU Omakase. 

Conceived as an eight-seat omakase counter, the concept is developed in partnership with Spicy Hospitality Group and serves as an intimate extension of Tanaka’s culinary philosophy. The space reflects both his upbringing in Yamanashi and the ceremonial traditions that define Japan’s most respected sushi establishments.

With only eight guests welcomed per seating, YASU Omakase represents the most refined expression of Chef Tanaka’s craft. The experience is designed to foster a direct and meaningful exchange between chef and diner, where every gesture, ingredient, and sequence is carefully considered. 

Guests are seated at a remarkable 600-year-old hinoki wood counter, crafted from timber historically reserved for Japanese temples and sacred architecture / Photo via Miami Design District
Guests are seated at a remarkable 600-year-old hinoki wood counter, crafted from timber historically reserved for Japanese temples and sacred architecture / Photo YASU Omakase

Guests are seated at a remarkable 600-year-old hinoki wood counter, crafted from timber historically reserved for Japanese temples and sacred architecture.

The journey begins with a selection of three to five otsumami, followed by a thoughtfully paced progression of nigiri, concluding with miso soup, a signature temaki hand roll, and a seasonal dessert. 

Throughout the menu, Chef Tanaka interprets classic techniques through a contemporary Miami perspective, balancing Japanese discipline with coastal freshness.

Menu & Beverage Program

The project is led in close collaboration with Chef Raymond Li, a longtime friend and creative partner whose experience at internationally renowned restaurants contributes to the concept’s depth. 

His influence introduces a subtle South Florida character to the menu, grounding YASU Omakase in its local context while remaining faithful to traditional foundations.

YASU Omakase presents a single omakase tasting of 14 to 16 courses, regularly refined in response to seasonality, sourcing, and culinary inspiration. The menu typically includes a sequence of hot and cold otsumami, followed by an elegant lineup of premium nigiri featuring both Toyosu Market selections and carefully chosen Florida coastal fish.

Custom-blended soy sauces are prepared in-house to enhance the unique character of each variety, while Niigata rice is adjusted throughout the year to achieve ideal texture and temperature. The experience culminates with a signature hand roll and a dessert that highlights seasonal ingredients.

His influence introduces a subtle South Florida character to the menu, grounding YASU Omakase in its local context while remaining faithful to traditional foundations / Photo via Miami Design DIstrict
His influence introduces a subtle South Florida character to the menu, grounding YASU Omakase in its local context while remaining faithful to traditional foundations / Photo YASU Omakase

A Personal Culinary Ritual

Seafood sourcing is handled through exclusive channels, with the majority of fish flown directly from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market and complemented by exceptional local catches. Produce, eggs, and fruit are selected from regional farms, reinforcing the connection between Japanese tradition and local terroir.

The beverage program centers on a deeply personal sake collection curated by Chef Tanaka, featuring rare labels and limited-production bottles. Guests may choose individual pours or opt for a sake pairing designed to mirror the progression of the meal. A concise wine list, developed with specialist input, offers selections chosen to harmonize with the precision and subtlety of the cuisine.

The design of YASU Omakase merges traditional Japanese craftsmanship with Nordic-inspired minimalism, resulting in an atmosphere that is calm, refined, and quietly commanding / Photo via Miami Design District
The design of YASU Omakase merges traditional Japanese craftsmanship with Nordic-inspired minimalism, resulting in an atmosphere that is calm, refined, and quietly commanding / Photo YASU Omakase

Japanese Tradition

In the near future, a private dining room anchored by a second hinoki counter will open, offering a secluded setting for special gatherings and celebrations.

The design of YASU Omakase merges traditional Japanese craftsmanship with Nordic-inspired minimalism, resulting in an atmosphere that is calm, refined, and quietly commanding. Nearly every element within the space has been handcrafted by Japanese artisans, including intricate kumiko woodwork executed with exceptional precision.

At the heart of the room, the 600-year-old hinoki counter stands as a focal point. Its surface remains untreated, allowing the natural grain and aroma of the wood to be fully experienced. The counter is polished daily using rice bran, a time-honored method that preserves both its texture and vitality. A matching hinoki cutting board reinforces this material continuity, offering guests a tactile connection to the traditions of Japan’s most esteemed sushiyas.

Key information

  • How many guests are seated at YASU Omakase per service? Eight guests.
  • What material is the YASU Omakase main counter made from? A 600-year-old hinoki wood.
  • Where does most of the seafood of YASU Omakase come from? Toyosu Market in Tokyo.
  • What style influences the YASU Omakase’s design? Japanese craftsmanship and Nordic minimalism.

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