Shingo Akikuni

The Climb

The sushi counter demands timing, composure, and exacting control, and Shingo Akikuni’s path has been built inside that frame. In 2017, he began as sous chef at Sushi Azabu, a role that set the discipline and restraint now present in his work. He later moved into the head chef position at Hiden in Miami, where the emphasis stayed on pace, balance, and seasonality. That progression now resolves at Shingo, where Akikuni serves as chef and owner.

Today

In Coral Gables, Florida, the room at Shingo is organized around a direct reading of Japanese craft. Under Shingo Akikuni, the menu centers on Traditional Japanese nigiri, seasonal sashimi, and Yakimono dishes, each presented with a calm hand and little interference. The sequence is deliberate, with texture, temperature, and the condition of the ingredient given room to register. For Akikuni, fine dining is less about accumulation than atmosphere, and that preference shapes Shingo from the first plate to the last.

Career - Chef and owner — Shingo, Coral Gables, Florida - Sous chef — Sushi Azabu (from 2017) - Head chef — Hiden, Miami

Signature

Traditional Japanese nigiri is the clearest expression of Shingo Akikuni’s approach. At Shingo, it serves as the working base of the menu and the form where his method is easiest to read: measured, precise, and alert to nuance. The style depends on restraint and timing, and in Akikuni’s hands it carries that tension without excess.

In Their Words “I always go into the experience with butterflies in my stomach in anticipation of what’s to come.” “Fine dining for me is all about the feeling I get.” Shingo Akikuni’s own words point to the terms that matter most in his work: anticipation, mood, and the sensory charge of service. The first line acknowledges the pressure that comes with live, high-wire craft. The second places fine dining in the realm of felt experience, not ornament.

Recognition

Michelin star recognition places Shingo Akikuni’s work within a standard of consistency and control. At Shingo, that acknowledgement aligns with a kitchen focused on the clarity of Traditional Japanese forms and the discipline required to sustain them.

FAQ What is Shingo Akikuni's current role? As of 2026, Shingo Akikuni is Chef and Owner. Where did Shingo Akikuni work before? Shingo Akikuni's earlier career included Sushi Azabu and Hiden. What recognition has Shingo Akikuni received? Michelin star (2024).