Modern Japanese restaurant YUGENN opening soon in South End with omakase dining experience
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YUGENN, a new modern Japanese restaurant and omakase experience, opens Oct. 15 in South End.
Why it matters: It's the latest venture from sisters Lisa and Linda Nguyen, the duo behind Sake Express, the fast-casual hibachi spot that's been a Gastonia staple for years.
What to expect: The omakase experience will be a focal point of YUGENN's menu, which will be served to a limited number of reserved seats nightly, per a press release.
- Guests can also order from a full sushi and cocktail menu, plus hot dishes like chashu miso carbonara, seared foie gras, and pho-brined drumstick lollipops.
Context: Omakase is a Japanese term that translates to "I'll leave it up to you."
- Dining omakase means the chef selects and prepares each course in the meal, rather than having the customer order from a menu.
Between the lines: The YUGENN team brought in Jason Chan (director of operations at Parker Hospitality, a national restaurant group) and chef Marcos Reyes, both from Chicago's culinary scene, to develop the restaurant and its menu of modern Japanese.
- The 3,500-square-foot space holds 116 guests, including 12 bar seats, six omakase bar seats and an outdoor patio.
Stop by: 255 W. Bland St., under The Paces Apartments.
- Open Monday–Thursday, 5–11pm, Friday–Saturday, 5pm–midnight and Sunday 5–10pm.
- Make a reservation here.
My thought bubble: Growing up in Gastonia, Sake was a go-to for an after-school meal or weekend hang. I still love their hibachi (teriyaki steak with extra house sauce, please!) and am excited to see what this team brings to South End.
We recently attended YUGENN media preview — from cocktails to sushi rolls and hot entrees, here's what we tried:
Drinks
We ordered the Fukucho Seaside Sparkling Sake ($14) and Lotus Milk Punch ($20).
- There are seven specialty cocktails, most ranging between $18-$21, plus several zero-proof options at a lower price point.
- The milk punch was described as a Piña Colada with all of the sugar and cream filtered out.
Sushi
More than half of YUGENN's menu is sushi — we ordered two pieces of nigiri and a specialty maki roll.
Nigiri: We ordered the Unagi (bone marrow, Thai fish dipping sauce and Meyer lemon, $14) and the Otoro (tsume, citrus gochuhang, nori furikaki and Meyer lemon, $20).
Maki: Our server recommended the Red Dragon roll ($30). It's filled with spicy tuna and English cucumber. Topped with sliced maguro and unagi, tsume, spicy mayo, Macadamia nuts and chives.
- All maki rolls come with eight pieces.
Hot dishes
There are six entrees, ranging from $15 for chicken lollipops and donburi to $35 for the filet medallion and foie gras.
- We chose the lobster fried rice ($26) and chashu (braised pork belly) miso carbonara. ($34).
Editor's note: We updated this story Oct. 14 to include the dishes and cocktails we tried at YUGENN's media preview on Oct. 13.