MIAReview
Included In
“Don’t panic.” It’s advice given to people in various overwhelming situations: shark attacks, trips to Ikea, organizing your closet for the first time in two years, etc. And it applies to eating at Uchi, too. Because, while the Wynwood Japanese restaurant can be excellent, it can also be really hard to figure out what to eat here.
That is because, at the time of this writing, there are 87 dishes (including dessert) on Uchi’s menu. They range from cold dishes like crudo to cooked dishes like pork belly - as well as rows and rows of a la carte sashimi and nigiri. And if you’re here with someone you’re trying to impress, it’s easy to get a bit anxious while combing through Uchi’s massive a la carte menu, praying you didn’t accidentally just order enough food for a rugby team (or so little food you’ll both be hitting up a drive-thru after dinner).
photo credit: Ruben Cabrera
But the good news: we have yet to taste something here that isn’t really delicious. And more good news: Uchi does provide a consistent antidote to their long menu in the form of your server. They are informed, accommodating, and happy to act as your tour guide through the Ken-Burns-documentary-size menu. During one dinner here, we simply told our server things we liked (and didn’t), how much money we wanted to spend, and he proceeded to course out an outstanding meal for us, consisting of perfectly cooked halibut with coconut beurre blanc, phenomenal unagi, and salmon belly nigiri that practically evaporated the second we put it on our tongue. There are also tasting menu options too, which take you through some of the menu’s greatest hits and start at $100 per person for six courses.
But, even if you decide to wing it, you’re not necessarily going to have a bad meal. The only downside to just ordering anything that sounds great is that you run the risk of spending a lot of money for a small amount of food, since the portions can be pretty small.
And while food is certainly the main event here, it’s not the only reason to come to Uchi. It’s a fun restaurant, the kind of place where you can sip cocktails, laugh loudly, and leave not too full to go bar-hopping around Wynwood afterward. It feels worthy of a special occasion, but not needlessly fancy or ostentatious. Sure, it requires some planning, trust, and the expectation that you’re probably going to spend a decent amount of money. But as long as you go in knowing and accepting these things rather than panicking at the sight of a menu the size of all your unanswered emails from the last 30 days - Uchi is special. Almost as special as finally throwing out that pair of pants that haven’t fit since 2016.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Ruben Cabrera
Hama Chili
photo credit: Ruben Cabrera
Akami Crudo
Karaage
photo credit: Ruben Cabrera
Halibut
photo credit: Ruben Cabrera
Masu Pom
photo credit: Ruben Cabrera