Dragonfly Modern Izayaka is a very swanky, posh Japanese restaurant on Sand Lake Road (also known as Orlando’s Restaurant Row), and is the second location for the Gainesville-based restaurant group.

Helmed by Chef Ray Hideaki Leung, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, the menu features some unique and sophisticated dishes like Risotto with Loch Duart Salmon mixed with shemiji
mushrooms & cilantro and Robata fired grill that uses the finest grade binch?-tan charcoals that are heated up to an incredible 1,000º degrees. By grilling fresh produce and proteins this quickly, they hope to capture the essence of the food, which “enables you to experience pure & natural flavors”.

Chef Leung answers “What is Umami?”

I am also a fan of their ramen noodles (though I wish it came with more noodles) – made with Kurabuta Pork Belly, Braised Short Ribs, Soft Poached Egg, bok choy, scallions, bean sprouts, togarashi & nori.

Their happy menu is a bit of a well kept secret with dishes like chicken and veggie skewers, steamed pork / short rib buns with pickled veggies and Japanese slider burgers for a really good price.

Chicken Yakitori skewers

Japanese Sliders – Angus beef burger sliders with shiso, heirloom tomatoes, and honey wasabi mayo

Steamed buns

Very fresh sashimi at Dragonfly