New Late-Night Japanese Restaurant With DJ Sets Coming to Charlotte’s South End

A Japanese dining spot mixing raw fish, mixed drinks, and live music spins will open in Charlotte's South End this September. Yugenn aims to shake up the city's after-hours food options.

"This has been a passionate project for the both of us," Linda Nguyen said, per The Charlotte Observer. "We've always wanted to dabble in the fine dining, more elevated scene." The minds behind Sake Express, Linda and Lisa Nguyen, picked 225 W. Bland St. for their next venture.

The kitchen will cook up more than just raw fish rolls. "There's going to be a lot of sushi, but we don't want to be known for just sushi," said Linda Nguyen. "We're going to have a lot of hot plates, as well, but it'll definitely be Japanese-forward."

Music will flow through the space as DJs mix tunes. Soft background beats will shift to lively rhythms as night falls. The spot fits South End's spirit. "It's more of a young vibe, more high energy, and just what we want for our customer base," Nguyen said.

Sabrina Trinh, who runs the place, wants guests to know food comes first. "It'll definitely be more of a restaurant atmosphere. We're going to be open late, but we don't intend to create a bar atmosphere," Trinh said.

Behind the bar, staff will mix unique drinks and pour select wines. "I would say we want to make something that's not just nice to look at, but appeals to all your senses," said Trinh.

Online, they call it a "sensory experience," a mix of bold tastes and beats in a space meant to wake up your senses.

Stop by before your night starts or make it your main event. "It's kind of more like the pre-game spot before you go out or a special dinner, before you go grab drinks or go out with your friends," Trinh said.

Find them at 225 W. Bland St. in Charlotte. Watch @yugennclt on Instagram for updates.