If you’re a fan of fusion cuisine, you’re going to love Shinmai Kumo! The 2nd concept from the Shinmai restaurant group spins things up a bit offering Itameshi cuisine. Think Italian with some Japanese ingredient and flavor profile flair! I’ve had the chance to visit twice since it opened in September and have been quite impressed. While the flavor combination may seem a bit different it actually works really well. What to expect when you visit? Well bring an open mind and some curiosity and you’re going to have a great meal.
Shinmai Kumo, Cary – Location, Interior
Located in the busy Tryon Village and in the old Mookie’s NY Deli, the main oval-shaped parking lot can get a bit busy and the spaces are unusually tight up front. Note that if you can’t find a space up front, the lot circles behind the main building where there are additional spaces but it’s a one-way route around both lots. Shinmai Kumo has done a nice job transforming the space into one with Asian esthetics. Inside, the interior is simple with thoughtful touches all around. Brass globe lamps overhead, a cozy seating area up front with couch along with concrete slab featuring the restaurant name. Nothing too fancy but comfortable and practical, just what you would expect for a Japanese cafe in Tokyo.
Shinmai Kumo, Cary – Menu, Food
Now if you’re ready to take on the menu, you’ll find some wrinkles but it’s totally worth the culinary exploration! Shinmai Kumo’s menu is thankfully pretty short featuring apps, salads, soups, pastas, and flatbreads. Shinmai Kumo also offers some non-alcoholic drinks like spritzes, lattes and matcha, no soft drinks available here, a very Japanese touch. You’ll notice that there are some twists given the Itameshi theme. You’ll find pastas like sukiyaki pasta along with unagi and chicken curry flatbreads, interesting!
Start with the basic but delicious garlic bread which is some rounds of crusty French bread layered with some pungent garlic taste. It doesn’t look like much but there’s so much flavor in this starter, I highly recommend. Next, go for the fried kaki fry (oysters), three plump panko coated oysters served with some spicy sauce, wonderful! The freshness and flavor in this dish pops in your mouth, delicious.
For the mains, their tonkatsu tagliatelle is a version of chicken parm (but made with panko encrusted pork) that is familiar yet different. The red sauce is full of flavor and meatiness and it’s all made with a lot of care. The sukiyaki linguine features toothsome noodles with thinly sliced beef and mushroom with a fried egg and parmesan cheese on top. It’s a hearty dish with a good hit of umami from the mushrooms and cheese, so good. In both entrees, they cook the noodles just right (al dente) which adds to the Italian authenticity. Portion sizes are just right for a satisfying meal without going overboard, I cleaned my plates for both of my visits.
Shinmai Kumo, Cary – Service, Conclusion
Service at Shinmai Kumo is quite good, the staff is casual but attentive clearing plates as needed in a timely fashion. You’re greeted in Japanese fashion when you enter, it reminded me of my first trip to Japan in early 2025. Shinmai Kumo and its menu all felt quite creative, real and authentic based on my travel experience! The Japanese are fanatical about their food and restaurants and Itameshi cuisine allows them to put their favorite flavors on showcase, respecting Italian cuisine while giving the menu its own Japanese twist. Overall I’ve been happily surprised by my dining experiences here. I’m usually trying a lot of new restaurants due to my blog but look forward to visit #3 at Shinmai Kumo. Everything I’ve tried has been great and I’m pretty sure you’ll have the same dining experience when you visit!
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