Founded by Francesco Raveggi and chef Guillermo Gassan, Iko Miami just opened in Edgewater and is inspired by the founders' love for Asian cuisine and Japanese culinary traditions. It's also inspired by their fascination with neurogastronomy.
What is "neurogastronomy?" It is an interdisciplinary field that draws on neuroscience and psychology to understand how the brain perceives food and flavor, and it's how Chef Gassan crafted the restaurant's entire dining experience.
Starters Range From Sashimi and Tuna Tartare to an A5 Wagyu Bar
The dinner experience at Iko starts before the actual meal is served, which is why each guest receives a small treat to awaken their taste buds.The menu features nigiri, sashimi, tartare, marinated raw selections, and sushi rolls. Standouts include the yellowfin tuna tartare, served with toasted corn arepas made with truffle and Parmesan — an ode to Gassan's roots. Other raw marinated selections include the salmon belly with lychee sauce, octopus in paprika reduction, lobster in truffle butter, and hamachi with citrus and cilantro oil.
Iko's signature dish is the "Wagyu Bar," which allows diners to cook premium Wagyu selections on a hot stone directly at their table. Selections include a choice of seared A5 Wagyu ribeye served on a hoba leaf: the "Sukiyaki Truffle" is thinly sliced A5 Wagyu infused with truffle, the "Sukiyaki Classic" is thinly sliced A5 Wagyu prepared in traditional sukiyaki style, and the "Cube Box," which is the finest Japanese Wagyu on the hot stone.
From the aromas of the sizzling beef being cooked on the hot stone to the wild flavor combinations, neurogastronomy also connects how food and flavors affect memory, explains Gassan. "In each dish, I aim to capture the essence of Japan's rich culinary heritage while bringing in a touch of exoticism that's true to our concept," he says. "At Iko Miami, it's not just about great food — it's about creating an experience that resonates with our guests from the first moment to the last bite."
The restaurant's name is inspired by the Japanese word ikoku, which means "foreign country." Gassan and Raveggi explain that Iko embraces the essence of the unfamiliar, which is why the word resonates with them.
As for the interior, a mural by local artists Julian Gonzalez and Raul Garcia from Murals Miami is on display at the entrance. Designed by Gassan's brother, Maik Gassan, the mural features a hand "reaching toward its goals," surrounded by bonsai trees and strokes inspired by Japanese calligraphy on a paper-like background.
The dining area features a minimalist design with warm wood tones, velvet chairs, handmade lamps, an open kitchen, and a five-seat bar, providing an intimate setting for sushi lovers.
Iko Miami. 75 NE 16th St., Miami; 786- 375-9770; ikomiami.com. Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday 5 to 11 p.m., and Sunday 5 to 10 p.m.
