Chef Raheem Sealey, the culinary force behind KYU and Drinking Pig BBQ, has made a triumphant return to Wynwood with Shiso—a chic Asian smokehouse that fuses Japanese and Caribbean flavors, elevated by wood-fired barbecue techniques.
The sprawling indoor-outdoor space at 239 NW 28th Street, complete with two bars and Wynwood-style graffiti walls, draws culinary inspiration from around the globe while staying rooted in Sealey's unique perspective.
"This is everything I've been building toward," Sealey said. "Japanese precision meets Caribbean soul, all kissed by smoke. It's who I am as a chef."
The menu balances sushi rolls and crudos with serious barbecue skills, turning out bold, beautifully plated dishes that have quickly become the talk of the neighborhood. The Shiso Chicken Please—a Cornish hen served half-smoked, half-fried with white BBQ sauce—showcases Sealey's ability to bridge culinary worlds.
Other standouts include miso cornbread with uni and ikura, smoked brisket croquettes with sweet potato, and Chilean seabass in coconut curry. The sake-glazed creamed corn with parmesan and shichimi is a flavor bomb that disappears fast from every table.
"We wanted to create a place where you can choose your vibe," Sealey explained. "Outside offers DJ beats and draft cocktails, while the indoor space leans into old-school hip-hop and more complex craft drinks."
The restaurant appeals to a wide range of price points, with cold dishes running $20-30, hot dishes $18-42, and large-format mains upward of $70.
Shiso is open Wednesday through Friday from 5pm to midnight, and Saturday and Sunday from 5pm to 2am. Reservations are recommended for weekend evenings.