Get a taste of the new Jia restaurant: Sushi, noodles, caramel pork belly and more

Popular Asian restaurant Jia has been reimagined inside the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino under a chef who is at the top of his game.

Jason Carlisle has been at the Beau since 2005 and his proven his skills and advanced through the culinary ranks, and is now the executive chef at Jia.

Jia recently underwent a huge transformation that includes opening up the front of the restaurant and the addition of a noodle bar that’s adjacent to the existing sushi bar.

Teppanyaki tables — which are Japanese-style iron griddles — were installed for tableside cooking, offering a completely different dining experience.

The color theme is red and gold but is subdued and the restaurant ceiling is studded with Asian style lantern that seem to float in space and add to the magical allure of Jia.

“Coastal Mississippi has a strong Vietnamese influence, and we have infused local and Eastern culture culinary flavors to redevelop the Jia menu by offering the finest product available, while also focusing on simplicity and the letting the food speak for itself,” said Kristian Wade, executive chef at the Beau Rivage.

The sushi menu and bar hasn’t changed and remains the best on the Coast. Try the Dragon roll or the Atom Bomb roll and you will see what I mean. Jia uses fresh seafood, and the presentation is on a level no one else even approaches here.

The noodle bar is simply a marvel. I love an open kitchen and being able to watch the cooks prepare your pho, bun or banh mi is a delight. Watching the cook dip rice noodles in the steaming water will make you feel like you’re witnessing a Vietnamese street vendor prepare pho in old Saigon.

The food that I sampled from the main menu was stunningly good, and it would be tough to say what dish was the best. The caramel pork belly comes with boiled eggs (cooked in the same sauce as the pork), young coconut juice and fish sauce. The dish was stellar. The pork was falling apart tender and delicious.

But the roasted black cod, a dish I would not have tried without the urging of Chef Carlisle, was one of the most delicious dishes I have had in years. The fish was flaky, tender yet firm and was plated with bean curd, pineapple and cucumber. It was over the top and just this one dish was worth the trip.

Jia has long been known for amazing Vietnamese inspired food, but Chef Carlisle and his talented team have created a culinary destination that is just not to be missed. Go with friends and family, take your time and make a night of it.

If you go

Address: Inside the Beau Rivage Casino Resort, 875 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi

Hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, with the noodle bar open 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.