Miss Crispy Rice, the casual Japanese spot known for its affordable omakase, hand rolls, and crispy rice, debuts today, Wednesday, November 20, in the former Caja Caliente space in Coral Gables. The 1,600-square-foot restaurant marks the restaurant’s first standalone location after operating inside Wynwood’s Oasis food hall since 2022.
The minimalist space features multiple dining setups, including a four-seat express counter near the entrance, a 14-seat omakase counter, and three two-top tables for a la carte dining. Pink hues and cherry blossom-embroidered wallpaper line the walls, while the bathroom offers an unexpected ‘surprise’ with Kill Bill-inspired yellow walls, black stripes, and the film’s soundtrack playing in the background.
“We’ve been looking for a larger space to allow Miss Crispy Rice to be the star of the show,” said co-founder Andrew Mayer. “The majority of our clientele were also coming from the Coral Gables area, so this move allows us to be closer and reach a new audience.”
The menu expands on Miss Crispy Rice’s original offerings by introducing kaisendon bowls, designed for quick service at the express counter. The bluefin tuna bowl comes topped with scallions, fried onions, and cucumber in the restaurant’s popular OG sauce, while the chirashi bowl features an assortment of salmon, tuna, hamachi, and scallops with edamame and nori on furikake rice. The traditional kaisendon, filled with an array of seafood, gets finished tableside with housemade bone broth. Diners can add ikura or uni to any bowl.
The restaurant has also introduced a new dry-aging fish program for the omakase counter. The lunch omakase, priced at $35, includes a chef’s appetizer, two pieces each of nigiri and crispy rice, a hand roll, and soup of the day. For dinner, guests can choose between a 14- or 16-course meal ($87-$125), with the 14-course menu featuring a crudo trio, soup dumplings, seasonal appetizer, crispy rice, nigiri, chef’s choice hand roll, donburi, miso soup, and dessert. Fish selections include akami, shima-aji, kanpachi, and chu-toro. Specialty add-ons include A5 wagyu nigiri and uni-topped shrimp. The beverage program offers sake, wine, and beer pairings.
For those dining a la carte, the menu includes a variety of hand rolls, crispy rice topped with various fish and garnishes, nigiri, and crudos. A selection of small plates rounds out the offerings.
Miss Crispy Rice is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 808 Ponce de Leon Boulevard.