Hidden behind a facade that looks like a sleek wine rack, KARYU serves as a quiet portal to Tokyo. This isn’t just a new restaurant opening – it is the U.S. debut of the Michelin-starred Oniku Karyu.
Led by Chef Hiroshi Morito, who spent sixteen years at the original Ginza flagship, the team relocated to Miami to launch this ten-seat wagyu-only omakase. While it has Japanese roots, Morito treats the menu as a living document by cooking with the seasons and utilizing the best that Florida produce offers.
THE PURITY OF TAJIMAGURO
The heart of the menu rests on Tajimaguro, a rare line of cattle from the Hyogo Prefecture that is almost impossible to find in the States. KARYU is the only restaurant in the country sourced exclusively from the Ueda Chikusan ranch, a family-run operation known for its pristine mountain water. Unlike heavy, oil-slicked wagyu, this beef is high in oleic acid, creating a clean sweetness that melts without a trace of greasiness.
"The harmony between the fat and the red meat is what makes it work," Morito explains.
TABLESIDE RITUALS
The nine-course menu is designed to tell the story of the animal through a series of chapters. The meal might begin with a light beef broth seasoned with katsuo dashi before moving into delicate tenderloin sushi over premium Yukitsubaki rice. While you’ll find the iconic deep-fried Kobe tenderloin sandwich from the original Ginza spot, the Miami-exclusive tartare is the real showstopper. The beef is briefly seared over charcoal before being mixed at the counter with shiso, Japanese egg yolks, and a surprise grating of three-year-aged Gruyere cheese.
THE SPIRIT OF THE SPACE
The interior boasts serene, natural textures, featuring white oak, deep green terrazzo, and plaster embedded with hay. A piece of art by Yoshitomo Nara hangs on the wall, a playful mascot for a space that prioritizes serenity and intention. Guests finish their meal with a customized bowl of beef curry - offered in small, medium, or large portions, depending on your appetite level at that point in the night - followed by a seasonal kakigori shaved ice.
For those who have followed this team from Tokyo to the tropics, it is the premier wagyu experience Miami has been waiting for.
KARYU is located at 151 NE 41st St., Suite 135. Service runs Tuesday through Saturday with seatings at 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM
