“Irasshaimase!”

Coziness is not the first thing most people have in mind when they think of a Japanese restaurant. But the traditional greeting every patron hears when they walk into the intimate space of UNI Omakase in Palermo debunks that notion.

A high-end Japanese dining experience, this minimalist space consists simply of a large wooden bar with only 12 seats for a quiet and intimate atmosphere.

UNI opened in February 2022 by well-established sushiman and food entrepreneur Damián Shiizu. A first-generation Argentine, he started training in 1999 with the Komiyama family — pioneers of Japanese cuisine in the country — and now has 25 years in the business.

Conceived as a typical omakase — a term usually translated as “I leave it up to you” — UNI is all about trust and confidence in what the itamae (Japanese for head sushi chef, literally “in front of the board”) will serve you. Hence, at UNI there’s no menu, other than the 14 dishes Nicolás Cernysenko will present you with a dedicated introduction for each one.

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© Buenos Aires Herald