CHŌ Funky Asian Bistro: A Bold, Playful Bite of Asia in the Heart of Miami Beach
Step inside CHŌ Funky Asian Bistro, and you are instantly transported into a neon-lit, flavor-packed world where Asian market energy meets South Beach edge.
Located at 1209 17th Street in Miami Beach, FL 33139, right across from Trader Joe’s, CHŌ is more than just a restaurant — it is an experience. The space is moody, vibrant, playful, and completely intentional, from the funky monkey artwork to the glowing neon accents and design details tucked into every corner.
The Atmosphere: Funky, Immersive, and Full of Personality
CHŌ’s design is impossible to ignore in the best way. Every detail of the interior was hand-selected by Veronica Gessa, known as MokiBaby, and owner Mo Alkassar - their vision comes through the second you walk inside.
The space feels like a cinematic stroll through a buzzing Asian market in China or Thailand, layered with neon lights, bold textures, funky monkey artwork, and unexpected design moments in every corner. Even the restrooms are part of the experience.
The Service: Warm, Excited, and In on the Fun
The hospitality at CHŌ matches the atmosphere perfectly. The staff is welcoming, upbeat, and genuinely enthusiastic — almost like walking into a friend’s home where everyone has been waiting to share the best stories of the night.
As invited guests, from the moment we arrived, the team was eager to tell us about the photobooth, the creative process behind the owner and chef’s menu, the thoughtful design choices from the art curator, and the intentional ingredients behind each cocktail. That enthusiasm made the experience feel personal; unlike the typical rushed service Miami Beach is known for.
Our server, Jaiden, was especially helpful in guiding us through the menu. Her recommendations tempted us into ordering items we hadn’t planned to, and honestly, we were grateful she did.
The Cocktails: Creative, Balanced, and Built for the Experience
CHŌ’s cocktail program was curated by Unfiltered Hospitality, founded by Miami beverage legends Gui Jaroschy, Ben Potts, and Josue Gonzalez. As fans of seeing local hospitality powerhouses collaborate, we loved experiencing how their beverage expertise paired with CHŌ’s bold and layered flavors.
Each cocktail had thoughtful presentation and layered, memorable flavors. Nothing felt like an afterthought. These drinks were designed to be part of the meal, not just something to sip before it begins.
We ordered:
● Easy Tiger
● Cho-Garita
● Silk Thai Manhattan
● Golden Triangle - my favorite!
The Food: A Generous, Flavor-Driven Tour Through Asia
The food was spectacular, with generous portions made for sharing. We did an extensive tasting to experience the chef’s flavorful journey through Asian cuisine, and several dishes stood out immediately.
The Mango Coconut Salad with tamarind vinaigrette, herbs, and cucumber is a must-order. It was bright, refreshing, and the perfect contrast to the richer dishes on the table.
The Scallop Crudo with red curry oil, pandan, and kaffir lime was as beautiful as it was addictive, with an airy, aromatic broth that kept us going back for more.
The Miso Beef Tartare was another favorite, especially for a miso lover. Made with soy-cured egg yolks, lotus root chips, and shiro miso sauce, it was a creative, savory twist on a classic. And with the crisps resembled a daisy.
For mains, the Crab Curry with jackfruit, spaghetti squash, and Thai red curry was one of my favorite dishes of the night. The crab portion was impressively generous, and the creamy sauce had just enough heat without overpowering the fresh crab flavor.
It was also my first time trying Khao Soi, a traditional Thai dish served here with lamb neck, egg noodles, crispy noodles, and bean sprouts. The lamb was fork-tender, and the sauce was rich, comforting, and perfectly spiced.
The showstopper, hands down, was the Bone-In Short Rib with Chinese broccoli, pickled cucumber, and lemongrass soy glaze. This signature dish is braised for 72 hours, and the meat falls effortlessly off the bone. The smoky, BBQ-like flavor was so addictive that we pushed well beyond what we thought we could eat. At $78, it is a splurge, but the portion can easily be shared by three people with appetizers and sides.
Although we were at our max, we had to try the Coconut and Chocolate Pani Puri, crispy semolina shells with hazelnut praline and dark chocolate milk. These were the perfect “icing on the cake” to our meal.
Final Thoughts: Come Hungry, Order Extra, Take Leftovers
CHŌ Funky Asian Bistro delivers exactly what it promises: bold Asian flavors, creative cocktails, playful design, and high-energy hospitality. The portions are generous, the menu is built for sharing, and the variety makes it worth ordering an extra dish or two.
We left full, impressed, and already planning what to try next.
1209 17th Street
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Welcome to our newest MIAbites Contributor, Kaiti Tarajano. After many years in hospitality with top locations like 1 Hotel, SLS and Mila, with a focus on sustainable practices in the restaurant sector, she joins us a guest contributor.