Shiso Crispy, a popular Asian-fusion food truck, is opening this June on the Jannus Block at 226 1st Avenue North | St Pete Rising

Known in the Sunshine City for its handmade dumplings and Asian-fusion bowls, the popular food truck Shiso Crispy is opening a restaurant on one of downtown St. Pete’s most vibrant blocks.

Founded by award-winning chef Ronicca Whaley, a six-time contestant on Guy's Grocery Games, Shiso Crispy will debut this June on the Jannus Block at 226 1st Avenue North. The space was most recently home to T’s and Tacos, and before that, Cap's Steamer Bar & Grille and MacDinton's Irish Pub.

Shiso Crispy, named after the Japanese word shiso—which means “mint”—launched its first food truck in late 2019 to rave reviews. It went on to earn a Tampa Bay Times “Best of the Best” award in both 2020 and 2021.

It now has a storefront at 1431 Central Avenue in St. Pete’s EDGE District, along with a parked food truck in Tampa at 874 N Tampa Street. Another St. Pete location is coming soon to the Tyrone Gardens shopping center at the corner of 9th Avenue and 58th Street North.

shiso crispy’s bang-bang chicken rice bowl consisting of boneless wings tossed in a sweet and savory sauce | shiso crispy

“Every location we have is unique. With the new one on the Jannus Block, we are going to have a full liquor bar and kitchen, offering an expanded menu that will be very dumpling-forward,” Whaley told St. Pete Rising while walking through the new space.

She is revamping the storefront with over 100 indoor and outdoor seats, a lounge area, and a mural by local artist Matt Kress.

The new location will serve all the same menu items as its other locations, along with some new offerings.

Guests can expect a wide variety of dumplings, including soup dumplings, siu mai (steamed open-faced Chinese dumplings, typically filled with pork and shrimp), and the popular handmade gyozas, filled with ingredients like shiitake mushrooms, pork, bacon, wagyu beef, garlic, and a blend of spices.

Shiso Crispy’s Schezuan Mandu with Wood ear mushroom, cabbage, carrot, vermicelli, garlic Schezuan sauce | Shiso Crispy

Whaley also plans to expand the lineup of dirty rice bowls, which can be topped with proteins such as bang-bang chicken, ahi tuna, eight-hour braised short rib, or vegan options.

While the menu is still being finalized, Whaley hinted that past customer favorites, like the beer-battered snapper, will likely return.

After its debut, the new location may also offer a weekend dim sum brunch special.

As for drinks, Whaley promises that the “fancy cocktail menu” will feature drinks not found elsewhere on the block, including one made with pistachio liqueur, limoncello, and vanilla vodka. Another cocktail will feature melon liqueur mixed with sparkling Moscato.

Owner of Shiso Crispy, Ronicca Whaley | Shiso Crispy

“People should be just as excited about the drinks as they are about the food,” Whaley said. “I’m spending a lot of time making sure the drink menu is creative, unique, and fun.”

Cocktails will be affordably priced at around $12.

Shiso Crispy is also bringing back Shiso Sour, a raspberry passion fruit sour beer that was previously brewed by Flying Boat Brewing Co. It will now be brewed by Tampa’s Magnanimous Brewing Co.

Another addition to the beverage lineup is Shiso High, a THC-infused drink that will be distributed by Anheuser-Busch.

Shiso Sour, a raspberry passion fruit sour beer, that will be available at the new location in downtown St. Pete | shiso crispy

With its new bar and kitchen capabilities and proximity to Jannus Live, Shiso Crispy will also operate a Japanese-style tiki hut inside the music venue, serving a limited menu of food and drinks to concertgoers.

Follow Shiso Crispy on Facebook and Instagram for updates on the grand opening in June and new menu offerings.