New Japanese restaurant with ‘chef-driven experience’ sets UTC opening date
An opening date has been announced for Yūgen, a kaiseki-focused concept at the University Town Center.
James Beard-nominated restaurateurs Jimmy and Johnny Tung will open the 10-seat, reservation-only chef’s counter at 190 N. Cattlemen Road on Feb. 11, according to a news release.
The brothers previously opened Zōtō Sushi, which is located next door to Yūgen.
Yūgen will be open Wednesday through Sunday with two seatings each night.
A multi-course kaiseki menu offers classical Japanese cooking methods, including raw, grilled, steamed, simmered and fried preparations, according to the news release.
Executive chef Atsushi Okawara, who previously led the kitchen at Miami Beach’s Den — a Michelin one-star restaurant — heads Yūgen and has more than 20 years of experience.
Yūgen restaurant set to open at UTC
“With kaiseki, I can cook in many ways and follow the season,” Okawara said in a news release. “My hope is that guests feel comfortable, enjoy each part of the meal, and feel the thought we put into every dish.”
Kaiseki means a multi-course meal in Japanese, according to Michelin.
It’s rooted in the Japanese tea ceremony, the news release said.
At Yūgen, the menu will be paired with optional wine and sake pairings along with uni and caviar enhancements, according to the news release.
Janet Kim, who previously managed New York City’s three-Michelin-star Masa, is the general manager of Yūgen’s 1,000-square-foot dining room. Benjamin Coutts is overseeing the beverage program. He was Michelin’s 2023 Sommelier of the Year.
“Our guests told us they wanted this level of dining closer to home,” Johnny Tung said in the news release. “Yūgen is our answer — a personal, chef-driven experience that transports you to a different time and place.”
The Tungs also have a chef’s counter experience in Tampa at Kōsen.
Preview and reservation access are available by signing up on the waitlist at YugenFl.com. Reservations are available on OpenTable.
