Yunta Nikkei comes from hospitality veterans Randy Garcia and chef Bruno Macchiavello, the pair who opened Viva Chicken, Charlotte's Peruvian rotisserie concept, back in 2013. The name is drawn from Quechua, the ancient language of the Inca Empire, and translates to "friend," while the yellow sun in its branding nods to Coricancha, the Incan sun temple.
The menu runs on Peruvian-Japanese Nikkei cuisine, with ceviche as the clear centerpiece — the Tiger's Milk ceviche gets singled out by regulars again and again — alongside a vegetable sushi roll and other dishes that move between the two culinary traditions.
Axios Charlotte named Yunta Nikkei among its Best New Restaurants of 2025.
The menu runs on Peruvian-Japanese Nikkei cuisine, with ceviche as the clear centerpiece — the Tiger's Milk ceviche gets singled out by regulars again and again — alongside a vegetable sushi roll and other dishes that move between the two culinary traditions.
Axios Charlotte named Yunta Nikkei among its Best New Restaurants of 2025.