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Chef Yasuhiko Mitani Opens NYC Japanese Restaurant

The renowned chef expanded to the Lotte New York Palace in May 2026.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Japanese Food

Bold vector editorial illustration of a wooden sushi counter with fresh fish fillets, representing high-end Japanese dining.
Chef Yasuhiko Mitani expanded his culinary operations to New York City in May 2026, opening a new restaurant at the Lotte New York Palace. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Chef Yasuhiko Mitani brought his culinary expertise to New York City in May 2026 by opening Mitani New York. The restaurant is located inside the Lotte New York Palace hotel and imports fresh seafood from Japan in less than 24 hours.

Why it matters

The expansion allows the chef to create professional opportunities for his apprentices while challenging himself in the competitive New York City restaurant market. Mitani intends to maintain his high standards by visiting the location roughly three times a year.

The tasting menu features 18 courses with a base price of $700, while premium meal pairings can reach $2,000. Each of the two private dining rooms contains a six-seat hinoki counter.

The players

Yasuhiko Mitani

He is a chef who founded his original restaurant in Tokyo in 2006 and later expanded to the United States.

The details

The restaurant maintains precise culinary standards, serving otoro nigiri at 59 degrees and shari at 68 degrees. To ensure freshness, the kitchen utilizes traditional ice-cooled refrigeration panels.

Timeline

  1. Mitani opened his original restaurant in Tokyo in 2006.

  2. Mitani opened his restaurant in New York City in May 2026.

Culture Shift

The establishment follows a trend set by the rise of high-end omakase dining in New York City. This arrival confirms the ongoing shift toward ultra-exclusive, chef-driven experiences that prioritize artisanal imports and strict traditional service standards.

Diners interested in visiting should book reservations through the Tock platform. Guests should prepare for a significant financial commitment, as the entry-level meal cost including pairings starts at $1,500.

The takeaway

Maintaining the quality of Japanese seafood in a new market requires sophisticated logistics and a commitment to high overhead costs. Prospective guests should plan their visits well in advance due to the limited capacity of the six-seat dining rooms.

Further reading

Learn more about the local culinary scene in the Japanese Food section.

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Would you pay over $1,500 for a single dining experience?