Hong Kong’s culinary landscape welcomes a significant addition with the launch of GYU+bar by miyoshi, a new Japanese-French inspired bistro opening on February 10th at Lee Garden One in Causeway Bay. This establishment distinguishes itself by embracing the primitive art of firewood grilling, combining elite global ingredients with sophisticated Franco-Japanese culinary techniques to deliver a powerful, smoke-infused dining experience that prioritizes the intrinsic flavor of the ingredients.
The new concept joins a global trend that sees revered dining institutions—from legendary Spanish *asadores* to upscale restaurants across London and Singapore—returning to elemental cooking methods. GYU+bar by miyoshi elevates this practice by focusing on three core pillars: premium beef selection, raw woodfire cooking, and refined Japanese-French craftsmanship.
Fusion of Fire and French Finesse
A notable collaboration defines the restaurant’s approach. The menu was designed by Tsutomu Ito, proprietor of Kyoto’s famous haute cuisine institution, Niku no Takumi Miyoshi, and is executed by Kyoto chef Ayumi Matsuda, noted for her background in French gastronomy. This pairing is crucial to the venue’s philosophy: channeling the intensity of the woodfire through the nuanced lens of two highly disciplined culinary traditions.
The restaurant has invested significantly in a specialized kiln, where carefully cut, food-grade lychee wood is ignited. After burning for roughly 30 minutes to reach temperatures exceeding 500 degrees Celsius, the embers are manually transferred to the grill. This meticulous process ensures precise heat control, while the aromatic lychee smoke imparts a distinct, fruity smokiness to the proteins. This technique is designed to create a desirable exterior char (the crust) while expertly sealing in the internal moisture, resulting in exceptionally tender and juicy cuts of meat.
Highlighting Premium Woodfired Cuts
As its name suggests (“GYU” meaning beef), the establishment centers its menu around superior beef from around the world, featuring classic cuts like Sirloin, Ribeye, and Tenderloin, alongside rare portions of Japanese A5 Wagyu. Beyond grilling, the chefs employ diverse cooking methods, including Shabu Shabu and Tataki.
Among the signature items demonstrating this unique approach is the Char Shu By Miyoshi. This dish utilizes Australian A5 Wagyu Brisket, slow-cooked in a Japanese savory-sweet sauce for nine hours before being finished over the lychee fire to achieve perfect caramelization and a hint of fruitwood smoke. It is deftly served with a house-made Spanish Romesco sauce, balancing the richness of the fat with sweet and faintly spicy notes.
Other highlights include the Wagyu Harami Beef Skirt Steak, fiercely seared to a medium-rare pink interior and adorned with a toasted hazelnut gremolata, and the Wagyu Ichibo (Rump Cap), cooked using the Reverse Sear technique, allowing dripping fat to create smoky backflow for a robust wood aroma. This dish is complemented by classic French butter mashed potatoes and a customized sweet red wine sauce, offering a profound taste of French artistry.
Beyond the Grill: Cocktails and Design
GYU+bar by miyoshi ensures a holistic dining experience, also operating as a serious bar. The beverage program features an extensive selection of wines, sakes, and specialty cocktails. To complement the richness of the smoky dishes, the bar offers several seasonal fruit-based mocktails, utilizing fresh Japanese yuzu and mikan (mandarin orange) to provide a refreshing and palate-cleansing contrast.
The interior design is equally thoughtful, drawing inspiration from the Japanese Zen concept of Ensō (the circular symbol). The space is divided into an open-kitchen “Main Dining Area,” where guests can observe the grilling process, and a more intimate “Modern Bistro” area offering a sophisticated, urban ambiance with the wine cellar on display. Built with natural materials like large stone and raw wood, the design fosters a comfortable, tranquil atmosphere for the 80-seat venue.
GYU+bar by miyoshi is primed to redefine traditional steakhouse and bistro dining in Hong Kong by merging the primal satisfaction of pure fire with the precise elegance of high-end French and Japanese gastronomy.
GYU+bar by miyoshi Details:
- Address: Shop 401 & 404, 4/F, Lee Garden One, 33 Hysan Ave, Causeway Bay
- Hours: Open daily for lunch and dinner service.