© Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS Uchi Sushi & Asian Bistro on Monday January 25, 2021. Uchi Sushi & Asian Bistro recently opened in Boca Raton.

Even though they live in Wellington, Aden Lee and Joy Chen have made a home in West Boca Raton with their new restaurant, Uchi Sushi and Asian Bistro.

Uchi is a Japanese word that means home, especially with family and close friends that you feel very comfortable with. Think of the word “hearth” in English and you just about have it.

Although Chinese, the husband and wife team think the Japanese word, chosen by their family, is a good fit for their eatery, which samples a wide variety of Asian flavors with the dishes on the menu.

© Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS The new Uchi Sushi & Asian Bistro in Boca Raton has some outdoor seating.

“Uchi [is the name] because I think everyone comes to eat has a feeling of being home,” explains Lee.

© Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS Sweet heart roll from Uchi Sushi & Asian Bistro in Boca Raton.

Uchi Sushi and Asian Bistro is at 8221 Glades Road in Piccadilly Square, just west of the Florida Turnpike.

The space — formerly Boca Italiano and before that Armadillo Cafe — can seat up to 72 people indoors and 16 outside.

© Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS Uchi Sushi & Asian Bistro recently opened in Boca Raton, just west of the Florida Turnpike.

Lee has been a chef for 18 years, first in the couple’s native Hong Kong before decamping to the United States in 2011. For the last eight years he’s been the sous chef at Mr. Chow in Miami Beach’s W Hotel South Beach. Chen runs the front of the house when not taking care of their 2-year-old, but they are looking to hire a professional manager.

© Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS Dynamite roll from Uchi Sushi & Asian Bistro.

Originally there were plans to try to open a space in December, but COVID-19 caused delay after delay. About a month ago, they settled on the space and took the leap of faith, opening their own restaurant for the first time in their careers.

The menu

There are some old family recipes, such as the sweet and sour chicken ($13.95) and the tangerine peel beef ($16.95), but Lee insists most of the dishes have been developed for this debut.

He adds that, so far, the popular menu items are the Uchi snow prawn ($10.95), stir-fried prawn asparagus with masago ($17.95), prawns with XO sauce ($21.95), dynamite roll ($8.95), lobster roll ($17.95), Uchi salmon ($11.95), amazing roll ($13.95), tuna or salmon tartar ($10.95).

© Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS Salmon tartar from Uchi Sushi & Asian Bistro in Boca Raton.

“If you want to try different Chinese food and Japanese food, you can come here,” Lee says.

But stay tuned because the couple already are thinking about tweaking the menu or adding locations.

“I want to open one or two more, if there is a chance later,” Lee adds. “Or later add more delicious food [to this location].”

If you go info

For more information, all 561-556-1688 or go to UchiAsianBistro.com.

The hours are:

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Lobster roll from Uchi Sushi & Asian Bistro.

© Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS