Sushi chef from Michelin-starred restaurant in Miami to open new spot in Coral Gables

Chef Shingo Akikuni was executive chef of Hiden, the secret omakase restaurant tucked away in the back of a taco stand in Wynwood, when it earned a Michelin star earlier this year.

Now, he’s opening his own restaurant, leaving the trendy Miami neighborhood for Coral Gables.

The new spot, called Shingo, will be located inside the historic La Palma building on Alhambra Circle — the same building that will house another Michelin-star veteran, Thomas Keller, when he opens a version of his French restaurant Bouchon there early next year.

Also slated to open in early 2023, Shingo will have two seatings four nights a week, serving traditional Japanese nigiri and sashimi, as well as Yakimono dishes (menu items cooked over direct heat). Workers are building the 850-square-foot space in Kyoto, Japan, using traditional design elements and vintage material. The dining room will feature an L shaped counter made of special Hinoki wood.

When it’s complete, they’ll deconstruct it, ship it to the U.S. and reconstruct it in the refurbished almost 100-year-old building, which is part of a real estate and restaurant revitalization near Giralda Plaza’s “restaurant row.”

11 Miami restaurants earned Michelin stars — and one spot earned two. Here’s the list

The offerings are likely to change seasonally, but favorites such as Japanese charcoal grilled eel topped with caviar will be on the menu, which will also feature premium sake pairings.

Akikuni, who also worked as a sous chef at Sushi Azabu in Miami Beach, said he believes Shingo will be a good addition to the neighborhood.

“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 who I call my colleagues and friends,” he said in a statement. “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.”

Shingo is scheduled to open sometime early in 2023.

Hiden was one of two omakase restaurants to earn Michelin stars in Miami this year. The other was The Den at Sushi Azabu in Miami Beach.

Shingo

Where: 112 Alhambra Circle, Suite 200, Coral Gables

Opening: Early 2023; will be open Wednesday-Saturday

This Miami chef got a Michelin star this year. Now he’s opening a new Gables restaurant