Sushi Bichi: A welcome addition to North Beach
North Beach is an area of Miami Beach that has always prided itself on being the antithesis of South Beach. More low-key with neighborhood restaurants, bakeries and cafes, many Cuban or Argentinean, and a demographic population that boasts over 50% residents born outside of the US. Dated looking Mid-century hotels and apartment buildings line Collins Avenue and Harding Avenues. Locals attend concerts at the historic North Beach Bandshell, spend the day on the uncrowded beach, or enjoy North Shore Open Space Park, with its trails and native trees.
Ocean Terrace, which has been the street that runs from 72nd to 75th with angled parking and direct access to the beach has been under controversy for years, while locals and developers disagreed on its future. In October 2023 it closed as a thoroughfare to begin a major transformation into a pedestrian friendly park.
Ocean Terrace has also been the permanent home to the funky Taquiza Taqueria on the corner of 74th, in the Broadmoor Hotel, and now Sushi Bichi, a sleek newcomer , has opened on the corner of 73rd in the shadow of the tall St Tropez condo that fronts Ocean Terrace.
Sushi Bichi, which means Sushi Beach, has been in the works for years according to owner and GM manager, James Recio. Formerly the GM at Sushi Samba on Lincoln Road, James had a vision to bring upscale Asian fusion to North Beach and patiently waited until just the right spot opened up..
Even though the lush plantings and wooden boxes pretty much hide the mounds of dirt from the torn-up Ocean Terrace, it is hard not to sneak a peek to see what is going on behind the chain link fence.
But once you step inside Sushi Bichi, you feel totally separated from the ever-changing neighborhood and are taken with the buzzy bar, the natural wood details, the open-air vibe and the all-around ambiance from soft lighting and palms.
The servers and staff are all dressed in a soft neutral colors and the linen napkins and ceramic plates and chopsticks are beautifully set at each table.
But it is the food that stands out and makes you want to come back.
We have been there twice in the past two weeks and tried a variety of dishes. While sushi is literally in the name and there are many rolls and other raw fish options, many of the other menu items dishes are delicious and unique, not unlike the days of Sushi Samba.
The website describes the menu as Pan-Coastal, with nods to Filipino, Japanese and other Asian cuisines.
We started with the very flavorful Crispy Bichi Mushrooms with tofu ranch dipping sauce. These can be addicting and spicy yet savory at the same time. A welcome starter alterative to edamame and shishito peppers.
The Sushi Menu/Raw Bar includes both traditional and nontraditional options. We found both the Tuna tiradito in a raspberry vinaigrette ,the Yellowtail tiradito in cilantro jalapeno sauce and the Salmon tiradito in aji amarillo ponzu and red chili very fresh and quite colorful.
The Tuna Ceviche with pickled watermelon was a treat although we thought the Scallop Ceviche lacking and with too many red onions for our liking.
The Maki Rolls can be kept fairly basic with Rainbow, California and shrimp tempura rolls offered. Special Bichi Rolls offered more creativity, with our favorite being the Hammachiyatta, a shrimp tempura, Hamachi, jicama roll with jalapeno aioli. Being a fan of eel the Umango with eel, mango and avocado is on my list for next visit.
The Pan-Coastal Kitchen menu items were where we felt Sushi Bichi stood out from other Sushi or Asian Fusion spots. In addition to starting with the Crispy Bichi Mushrooms, we shared a Ginger Green Salad, which was fresh with just the right amount of the ginger miso dressing.
The Street Cart Skewers were individual skewers, and we especially enjoyed the Japanese Eggplant in miso glaze, and the Pinoy BBQ Pork shoulder in BBQ glaze. Other options include a Tenderloin Beef, Shrimp Chimichurri and King Oyster Mushroom and Asparagus.
There is a Bichi Burger of shitake mushrooms, Chicken Karaage with hot honey, and a Classic Burger on a grilled brioche.
The menu is quite extensive offering small plates and large plates, many which are shareable. We opted for the Maple Miso Salmon which came with shitake, pea shoots and shishito in a ginger butter and was perfectly prepared. A Churrasco Steak and Pinoy Adobo Coconut Chicken were among the large plates that seemed very popular.
We felt that we could go to Sushi Bichi every week and order different items each time and be pleased and very satisfied.
There is a popular Happy Hour at the bar with drinks and snacks from 4 pm to 6:30 pm.
Sushi Bichi’s servers and staff are knowledgeable and the setting very mellow (just like North Beach) so if you find yourself on the way to the bandshell or just looking for a new, unpretentious dining spot, Sushi Buchi is worth a visit.
7300 Ocean Terrace
Miami Beach,
Florida 33141
305 397 8749