Zōtō Sushi's Adjoining Sister Restaurant, Yūgen, Will Open Valentine's Week

The multi-course Japanese kaiseki restaurant will feature only 10 seats and two reservation seatings.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 12:55pm

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University Town Center's Japanese izakaya restaurant Zōtō is opening a new sister concept called Yūgen, which will offer a multiple-course kaiseki menu showcasing a range of Japanese cooking techniques. Yūgen will have only 10 seats at the chef's counter, with reservations available for two seatings Wednesday through Sunday evenings. The restaurant will be led by Zōtō chef Atsushi Okawara, who previously cooked at Miami's Michelin-starred restaurant The Den.

Why it matters

The opening of Yūgen represents an expansion of high-end Japanese dining options in the University Town Center area, catering to a growing demand for intimate, chef-driven experiences that transport diners to a different culinary world. The restaurant's focus on traditional kaiseki cuisine also highlights the increasing popularity of authentic Japanese fare in the region.

The details

Yūgen will offer a multi-course kaiseki menu featuring a range of Japanese cooking techniques, from raw preparations to grilled proteins and steamed fish. Chef Atsushi Okawara, who has an extensive background cooking in Japan, Canada, and the U.S., will lead the kitchen. The restaurant will have only 10 seats at the chef's counter, with reservations available for two seatings per night, Wednesday through Sunday. Each night's menu will be paired with optional wine and sake pairings, as well as uni and caviar enhancements.

  • Yūgen will open on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026.

The players

Atsushi Okawara

The chef who will lead the kitchen at Yūgen. Okawara previously cooked at Miami's Michelin-starred restaurant The Den and has experience cooking in Japan, Canada, and the U.S.

Jimmy and Johnny Tung

The brothers who own Yūgen. They previously launched the fast casual Gainesville-based Bento Asian Kitchen and also own the Michelin-starred omakase restaurant Kōsen.

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What they’re saying

“With kaiseki, I can cook in many ways and follow the season. My hope is that guests feel comfortable, enjoy each part of the meal, and feel the thought we put into every dish.”

— Atsushi Okawara, Chef (sarasotamagazine.com)

“Our guests told us they wanted this level of dining closer to home. Yūgen is our answer—a personal, chef-driven experience that transports you to a different time and place.”

— Johnny Tung (sarasotamagazine.com)

What’s next

Yūgen will open on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 at 190 N. Cattlemen Road in Sarasota.

The takeaway

The opening of Yūgen represents an expansion of high-end Japanese dining options in the University Town Center area, catering to a growing demand for intimate, chef-driven experiences that showcase traditional Japanese cuisine and techniques.