The upscale omakase restaurant Hiyakawa is turning into a more casual Tokyo-style spot for the rest of the summer, like it did in 2025.
Last year, in the middle of a hot, brutal, economically challenging season that saw many Miami restaurants falter and diners grow wary of spending, Hiyakawa in Wynwood decided to make a temporary change.
The upscale omakase-style restaurant’s owner, Alvaro Perez Miranda, decided to transform the luxurious Hiyakawa into a more casual, affordable izakaya-style venue, just for a month.
The pop-up was an immediate hit. And so once again Hiyakawa is pausing service of its usual tasting menu to bring back a new izakaya menu from chef de cuisine Jamie Liu, who runs the kitchen, and chef Royce Appling, who oversees the sushi counter.
Perez Miranda said the return of the pop-up felt inevitable.
“We didn’t expect last summer’s izakaya to take off the way it did,” he said. “But Miami clearly wanted more of this side of Hiyakawa. Bringing it back felt like the only option.”
There’s a whole new menu at this summer’s izakaya pop-up at Hiyakawa in Wynwood. James Jackman
This summer’s menu will include items like hitsumabushi (a Donburi bowl with sliced eel or wagyu); chazuke with salmon and ikura; rice bowls with baby sardines and futomaki (a fat sushi roll). You’ll also find soft shell spider crab tempura, savory pancakes with stir-fried noodles and pickled vegetables.
The idea is to share several different plates, listen to the music — an izakaya’s ambiance is much different than that of an upscale omakase restaurant — and hang out with your friends without a lot of fuss.
“Izakaya culture is all about having fun and connecting with people over food — it’s not precious,” explains chef Liu. “Getting to play with these dishes, get a little messy and bring that energy back to the kitchen is one of my favorite parts of the summer.”
Chef Appling also enjoys the switch.
“The izakaya format lets me get playful with technique while still holding the same standard we bring to the omakase tasting menu,” he says.
One of the new dishes at Hiyakawa’s summer izakaya menu. James Jackman
Also new this year is a partnership with JoJo Tea for a special tea program in addition to the restaurant’s sake and wine menu.
The pop-up, which begins Aug. 5, is slated to run throughout the month of August. Last year’s izakaya was so popular, though, it spilled over into September.
Hiyakawa, which opened in 2020, is only one of the spots owned and operated by Perez Miranda and his APM Restaurant Group. Founder of the casual sushi bowl favorite Wabi Sabi, Perez Miranda is also the owner of Midorie and Ogawa in Little River, which earned a Michelin star in 2024.
He’s also the force behind Emelina, the high-end Cuban restaurant in West Palm Beach that earned a Michelin star earlier this year.
Izakaya at Hiyakawa
Where: 2700 North Miami Ave., #5, Miami
Starting: Aug. 5
Reservations: Resy
More information: hiyakawamiami.com
Connie Ogle loves wine, books and the Miami Heat. Please don’t make her eat a mango.