I worked for JuPing Chi and her wonderful sister YuMai Chi over 20 yrs ago, in college, at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. The family was amazing, with Papa and Mama Chi leading their daughters in the USA. I could write a novel about my experiences working for the Chi sisters, which would take 2 yrs to write and close to the same to read, not to mention this is a restaurant critÃc, so I will not spend our time doing that. As for the Mikado restaurant, go there, go there, go there; that's all I can say. I feel, 99% certain (I've learned never to predict perfection) that you will LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about it and I hope you are lucky enough to meet either YuMai or JuPing. In college, looking back, I would have never guessed the profound impact a part-time college job would still have on me 20+ yrs later.
(5)
Tiffnay M.
The seats are old and should have been replaced years ago. The place has a lot of potential, but an investment in quality isn't being made. The wasabi Shumai (one of my favorite dishes, normally) was mushy, slimy, and barely room temperature. It was placed on a bed of wilted lettuce in a stem basket. Honestly the texture made me gag. The frozen ones that I reheat from trader joes taste better and have better texture. ...I gave up I can't eat this. The Nabeyaki Udon had no flavor. Also had a random assortment of vegetables that seemed like they were about to go bad, so that's how they made there way into my soup. ...I still couldn't eat it. Everything down to the lemon (idk how old it was, dried out and slimy all at once) in my water made me skeeved out.
(1)
Caycie b.
Coming from California I did not expect too much for sushi in Indiana. Sadly I got nothing. The reviews, which I read afterwards, were spot on food was bland and most likely frozen. Service was okay. Everything had spicy mayo on it to try and make it better .... It didn't Pass this is not sushi
(1)
Boon K.
So I am going back and forth with this rating as I know I am comparing them to the cities. But I must say for not have a body of water near them the fish is very fresh as the owner let us know that they have been flying in their fish from Japan. The roll on fire is super hot and refreshing. the fried oysters is a large portion of 6 and pretty good too.
(4)
Heather S.
The food we got was fine. The problem was that we never got a third of our meal so I can only speak to the tiger roll, California roll and salmon nigiri -- all adequate, but the Cali was a little heavy on the avocado. Service was pretty terrible I'm sorry to say. We waited over an hour for our food, and didn't get all of it. Rolls were spaced out so my party was unable to eat together. Our waiter was nowhere to be found when needed. I prefer dining at local places over chains but unfortunately I'm taking this one off my places to visit in Indy.
(3)
Maya H.
I feel like both the quality and service have gone down since my last review. We used to go pretty often for sushi, but lately we havent been going at all. I waited quietly by the sushi bar for about 30 minutes for someone to take my card to pay for lunch, and eentually went seeking the register, where the woman snapped at me and made sure to point out the line where i could tip. Also The iced tea super sucks do not order the iced tea.
(4)
Luis A.
The waiter made us feel really uncomfortable,it was a tense mood, and the flavor of the food was just average. stay away from the iced tea.
(2)
Jamie M.
Not impressed. Take out to hotel across the street. They did give us utensils and napkins. Staff was very nice. The sushi rolls the fish was mushy and just not good. Will not go here when back to town. The restaurant was very pretty inside. But not why I go to a place to eat.
(2)
Anthony D.
Ate here for lunch. Had three different rolls, tea and miso soup. All were good. A bit pricey but good. Nothing special. Then again, I didn't order anything special so I can't really give it more stars.
(3)
Bryan B.
Not sure what Eric S is talking about... We had great service, great food, and a fantastic meal. It looks like he is from the Ann Arbor Michigan area so maybe he is used to a more snobbish approach to dining but those of us that live and work in the Midwest appreciate places like the Mikado. Had a tasty firebox Roll with a spicy tuna handroll and it hit the spot.
(5)
Lonnie R.
Not hibachi, i got the filet and it was a low grade of beef. Dont ask for fried rice, you will not get it no substitution or choice Vegies steamed no hibachi grilled
(1)
Albert S.
This is the first bad review I have ever written. The LGBT people who work at this restaurant could be the least LGBT service friendly people I have met. Each time I expect authentic Japanese cuisine in Indianapolis, I am met with a disgusting interpretation of Chinese-Mex garbage food. Freezer burned protein, thawed in microwave, chemical additives, artificial coloring, seasoned with MSG and prepared in GRIME! If you have the misfortune of eating here, prepare your immune system to combat the food bourn illness. Very unlucky business, do not be fooled. Eek! Methinks not.
(1)
Sam M.
If you are looking for a tasty, traditional style Japanese restaraunt then look no further Yelpers. I have had the pleasure of trying both the sushi and main entres and can offer rave reviews on both. My father took me here many years ago for my first introduction to sushi and I have loved it ever since. I recently chose to mix things up and tried their Nabeyaki Noom, a savory noodle dish with beef, chicken, a runy egg, and lots of veggies. It was delectable!! Thw prices are very reasonable and the staff is polite and attentitive. They are not quite as out going as you might find in Broad Ripple establishments, but they are most certainly aware of their customers needs and ensure a pleasant meal.
(4)
Stu M.
I was "underwhelmed". Service was at best average in my opinion but our server may have been exhausted since I do not believe the AC was on. Probably will not return which is a disappointment given the restaurant has promise.
(1)
Andy C.
Great dine in experienced.
(5)
Michelle D.
Service was good, our waitress was very friendly and willing to explain the different dishes and types of sashimi to us. I had the Chirashi (bowl of sashimi on rice) and it was so delicious. Fish was fresh and sliced to manageable sizes. The sticky rice was well done and easy to eat with chopsticks. I'm in town for a convention and I think I'll be going there for take-out lunch tomorrow and the next day, and the next. It was that good.
(5)
Jonathan N.
The restaurant is pretty big and has some nice japanese decor on the inside. I ordered take-out as I read horrible reviews about the sushi bar. Seaweed salad - not bad but had multiple blueberries in it. I saw one and was thinking they accidently dropped one in. Then I found 4 more and was just plain confused. Ama Ebi (sweet shrimp) - the heads were not fried property and very difficult to eat. The shrimp itself was good. Sashimi Combo B - 3 different types of fish were served and the cuts were uneven but decent. I have definitely had fresher fish but this was still not bad. Prices were a little high for what I received. The restaurant is in walking distance of the hotels in the area so that is why I MIGHT return but I would definitely not go out of my way to dine here.
(3)
Whitnie E.
I stopped into Mikado while in downtown Indy for some training for a quick lunch. The service was fast, and very friendly. I started the meal off with some green tea, which was delicious. I had a bowl of miso soup along with a spicy shrimp roll and both were great. I had a filling, fresh lunch and was back in time for the start of my afternoon training! The restaurant itself is a bit winding and interesting to get around, and there is a lot of decor to look at.
(3)
Tiffany W.
I stopped in here for dinner while on a business trip per a recommendation and the food was great! Not sure what all the bad reviews are about. I started with the Miso soup and then had the Tuna Tataki and a Sumo Roll. Everything was delicious and filling. The Sumo Roll was excellent! The service was also top notch. I never waited for a refill and she kept coming back to the table to check on me. Does the place need a makeover? Yes, but the food is delicious. The prices are in line with the area. I would go back and recommend it to others.
(5)
Will H.
Loved this place! Super busy during GenCon, but everyone was very nice and we only waited 20 minutes before sitting at the sushi bar. They have a great variety of sushi, and I didn't get too adventurous - other than the Mystery Roll. I don't know what's in it, but it was delicious! The sushi chef accidentally put a roll of mine on my friends plate and one of his on mine. Not a major problem, but still and issue. He was very apologetic and offered to remake both rolls. Overall, a great place! Pricey, but a fantastic lunch!
(4)
Lyndenise B.
The food was more like 3 stars but the service definitely made this one of the most memorable dining experiences ever! Chris was our waiter and he was so entertaining. He's been a customer for 6 years and then decided to work there for the discount. He knows more about sushi and super tasters than anyone I have ever met! He was very attentive it his demeanor was awesome!!! Please ask for Chris, he only works a couple of days a week but you will thank me later! Tell him what wine or beer you like and he'll bring your fave sushi out, he's just that good!!
(4)
Hope A.
This place needs a makeover. It seems the staff is pretty passionate about the food if you can get them to connect with you but they are definitely in their own world and seemed to be only checking off a checklist of things they needed to do when serving you. Not very genuinely interested in you. Which is a positive differentiator when you can find it. The booth we sat in was pretty run down and the hanging curtains need a cleaning badly. The ambiance is probably better and aging decor less distracting when the place is crowded but based on the other yelp reviews I'm sure people get scared off. I definitely was scrutinizing my plate when it arrived based on what i read (after I got there...I didn't check before choosing the place). My sushi was ok. The asparagus rolls were a bit cold and I don't think cooked enough. And there was a tiny hair under one piece. (Not too big a deal but I was a bit paranoid after reading the other reviews). The mountain of sushi was good but I think there was a fruit fly in the shredded crab topping (I didn't want to make it obvious that I was checking it as not to disturb my bf who was eating his pan fried pork tenderloin and enjoying it.) You never can tell with sushi, sometimes it's just a piece of seaweed but it coulda been a piece of mildew. Who knows. So you just eat more ginger and buck up. We left full so I won't complain any more than just the things I noted. Just really need to update the decor a bit and concentrate on caring for and connecting with the guests and the reviews will get better and hopefully other yelpers will be able to enjoy the food without being neurotic.
(3)
Jay K.
The quality of the food is great! We ordered shrimp tempura as an appetizer and we got three sort of thin tempura...I kind of wished they gave us more considering the price but it was still delicious. I think the donkatsu was good but not to die for. I would say the best dish we ate was the katsudon. As for everything else there was pretty good service, nice tables and a kind of dim lighting.
(4)
Patricia N.
Nice upscale ambiance, but it was cold inside. Luckily, we sat by heaters. We came on a weeknight, while Devour Downtown was going on. However, we opted to just go with sushi. Tried a lot of the specialty rolls...and yes, I thought they were over-priced too. It's nice they have some Japanese beers and local craft beers on draft.
(3)
Sherine S.
Went to Mikado on a busy Indy 500 night. Service was exceptional and sushi was excellent. We came in with a party of eight and were seated within five minutes. Service was very professional. We ordered some typical appetizers: edamame, beef rolls, and tempura. All were great, but especially tempura was light and flaky. Perfect! Sushi was scrumptious. Salmon nigiri might be the best I've ever had. Melted in my mouth. The specialty rolls were not just just special, they were exceptional. Especially the seafood puff. Go there. Get it. You will love it!
(5)
Jessie S.
After going past this place a million times, my dad and I decided to try it. I'd never thought to stop in just based on the exterior and what I could see through the windows: The place looks dated. Moving onto our experience: The place was empty! True, it was a Monday night, but it was during Devour Downtown! The waitstaff was incredibly helpful, and even steered me towards the "best values" on the menu, because as everyone else has mentioned - this place is expensive! And I think the waitstaff knows why no one dines here, THE PRICE! Was my food good? Yes. Was the service excellent? Yes. Will I go back? Probably not (Unless someone else is buying...but even then, there's cooler places in Indy I'd like to be treated to.)
(3)
Ian S.
Mikado is a very very nice, upscale Sushi restaurant. The prices are a little high, but not abusive. If you have a large group, they have a traditional Japanese tabi room. So traditional that you must remove your shoes. It was a lot of fun and the service is very good. If you're looking to splurge a little bit, this is a great place to check out.
(4)
Elena L.
My grandma hosted my engagement party here and it was just wonderful. They have a private room big enough to fit about 40 people and still feel spacious. The food was delicious! And the staff was helpful and polite. I love this place!
(4)
Dan S.
THE FOOD. The food here was bland only a single taste, rice was not cooked well, there was no presentation to the food as I'm used to when going to a sushi restraunt. Even the salad dressing witch was not a normal japanese style had no taste I would say the highlight of the food was the miso soup that is normally complementary. CLEANLINESS. The soy dish had some old dried food in it and when I went to see what it was rubbing my finger in the dish reavealed other particles of food crusted on the inside of the dish. THE SERVICE At first the wait staff seemed friendly but when he made a joke and no one laughed he kind of got passive aggressive and made it seem like we were a burden on his day. Finishing the night off with "So what's next" not would you care for desert or anything of the sort. THE COST For all this the cost between me and my wife and son was about $100. FINAL THOUGHTS As I walked out of the building I saw a Japanese man looking at there menu I really wanted to tell him not to eat there as I would advise anyone that is thinking about eating there.
(1)
Isabelle L.
Located near the convention center, Mikado is convenient to grab food on a break. But due on location, the food is overpriced for the quality served. They offer traditional Japanese dishes: sushi, maki, chirashi, rice bowls, noodles... Food was OK but really bland. Yet this was a nice break from all the other overpriced "steak houses" in the area.
(3)
Brad B.
This place has easily the worst sushi I've ever had in my life. I was also not very impressed with the service that was offered to me. I sat at the sushi bar and I think the waiter and the waitstaff said a total of 10 words to me the entire time (45 minutes) that I was there. Save your time and save your money. If you have a taste for sushi, try someplace else.
(1)
Kyle B.
This was your last chance Mikado.....you know people have an hour for lunch so why do I have to go find someone to get my check? Food was a little below average this time too.
(1)
Bart K.
This is a tired, lack luster place which needs a makeover. We were walked through an empty dining room to a table right near the air system, which had worn chairs that had no cushion support left in the seats. The food was ok to above average, but the iced tea was murky and cloudy and did not look fresh so I stuck with water. One MIGHT put up with this if this was the only place to get sushi in Indy. But since it is not, I will pass the next time someone suggests we go there.
(2)
Frankie S.
We came in on st Patricks day weekend after spending the day downtown. We brought our daughter and our niece ages 2 and 7. The place was BEAUTIFUL! There were tables built into the floor. Friendly staff, They DO NOT have a kids menu tho. They gave us a few options that were kid friendly. I enjoyed the sushi and the girls enjoyed their chicken meal. It was big enough to feed them both. They are a bit pricey but It's worth it.
(4)
Doug C.
Brendan our sushi chef was on his game. His plating was superb and the sushi was beyond approach in Indiana. We've been patrons of Mikado for over a decade and their dedication to quality food and service makes them a top notch restraint for Indy.
(5)
Swatee G.
Walked into this place at around 6ish on a Saturday afternoon.. they were starting to get busy, with peopel trickling in. The fact that a japanese place was advertising Scottish Salmon on their specials board outside was a bit un-nerving, coupled with the fact that we were greeted by a 'as-white-as-i-can-be' guy at the hist stand. Nevertheless, their setting is very nice.. very commerical and chic if I may say so. Started off with the Edmamme - I am a huge fan, and trust me when I say these were BELOW meh! :( Not seasons properly, not even boiled to the right tenderness, these were absolutely nO fun to eat. Move ont o the miso soup, I can't complain, it was just ok - nothing special Next came the veggie tempura. Not a fan of the weird runny warm sauce that came with it, like a watered down soy sauce.. ugh! The tempura itself was ok, the eggplant being the worse I guess, since the pieces were WAY too thick. It was one of those days when I was vegetarian, so had to go for the Veggie fried rice, instead of a roll. It was probably the worst I have ever had in recent times. Rice absolutely stuck together, over done, too much oil, tasteless - so bland, that I poured hot and soy sauce over it.. ME of all people, and if you know me, you know I DO NOT believe in enhancing the flavor of food with the aid of hot sauce. gross!! Left it after a couple of bites :( The Udon bowl was apparantly good, per my co-worker. The Salmon 3 ways was ..well.. just salmon.. Nothing great! No one finished any rolls, no body seemed to be a fan. And of course, this is place is as pricey as it gets! I understand it is downtown Indy, and apart from their upscale look, they have nothing going on for them.. not even great/ fancy presentation of the food! For the $16.00 I paid for veggie fired rice (no eggs even), it was dumped on a plate with a dry leaf at the bottom (Really?!!) with flowerets of brocolli stuck on to the rice heap. I DO NOT appreciate that.. %170.00 plus tip for 4 people who let most of their food be on the plate.. How is that justified?! NOT coming back, and WILL NOT recommend it!
(1)
Scott P.
I honestly enjoyed this place, and I hate to say that I was a little surprised by how much. Their sushi was spot-on delicious, and they have plenty of options, including things that I have an EXTREMELY hard time finding elsewhere (if you don't know the difference between anago and unagi, then you OWE IT TO YOURSELF to come here and find out!!!). They even had ankimo, and it was DELICIOUS! I ordered my body weight in sushi, and everything was pleasing to my oh-so refined palate. :) Their salmon skin rolls were spot-on, and really made me a happy man. Next time I have an overnight in the city of Indianapolis, I'll definitely be heading this way!!
(4)
Chad I.
The ambience was pleasant, but that was the only highlight of the evening. Upon arrival our group was not escorted to our table; instead we were pointed to a general direction and were asked to wait for our menus. The service was below average and slow. We payed over 30 dollars for two rolls that didn't even scratch the surface of our appetite. Although the appearance was pleasant the overall experience was a disaster. I would definitely not recommend this place nor shall I return. There is now an abundance of sushi restaurants in Indianapolis, and this place is no where near up to par.
(2)
Jenn W.
Great spot for sushi near convention center. Very generous cuts of sashimi and friendly service. Nice atmosphere too. Only issue was cost - $18 for a rainbow roll was high. But I would definitely recommend it- seemed to have good rooms for groups too.
(4)
Michelle A.
We started out with sushi and beer as our appetizer. Then I got the bento box and it was HUGE. It had a full entree portion of salmon + teriyaki chicken + tonkatsu along with a salad, beef roles, and shrimp shumai. This could have fed 3 people for sure. I was just surprised that we were the only ones in the restaurant the entire time we were there!
(4)
S P.
Ate here for lunch on a weekday coming from a conference. Place is not as busy and I believe the price of their food is to blame. Food was average and service was friendly but nothing spectacular. "Meh. I've experience better" is spot on!
(2)
DeAnna P.
Overpriced and not very tasty. This would be a fantastic restaurant if you were coming solely for ambiance. It is absolutely gorgeous inside. It has such a sexy and classy vibe. Come here for a first date...but then never bother to go back. I came here by myself for lunch and sat at the sushi bar. I only ordered a roll, yet somehow my lunch took nearly an hour. Service was painfully slow, despite being one of only four parties at the restaurant. I don't remember the name of my roll, and strangely, I couldn't find it or the names of any of their other specialty rolls on the website. But it was tempura fried and filled with shrimp, crab, cream cheese. Eating a lot of sushi, I should have realized that mixing two sweet seafoods with only cream cheese would make a roll overly sweet. The spicy sauce on top should have cut through the sweetness, but the sauce was also too sweet (and not very hot). I ended up with a roll that was left in the fryer way too long until it was molten (I spit out the first taste after it seared the roof of my mouth). There was enough tempura on it to reasonably cover two or three rolls. And it was so sweet, it tasted more like dessert sushi than a good seafood roll. Add the fact that it was a $12 roll, and Mikado, you are starting to add insult to (literal) injury. Skip it. There really is no reason to go here unless you are stuck down town and dying for sushi. If you are a tourist, lace up your walking shoes or drop $5 on a cab ride to Forty-Five for sushi done right. Locals, hit up Forty-Five for great ambiance or Sushi Club for amazing sushi.
(2)
Lisa H.
Had a sushi dinner, everything was great and tasted like high quality. Our server was really nice. The only downside is that it is a little expensive but sushi is expensive in general without a lunch deal or something so we expected that. Would recommend trying it out, I know friends go here for business dinners and have a great time, no complaints.
(4)
Ted M.
From the outside it looks like a nice and moderately classy downtown establishment. The lighting and general feel of the restaurant was right and the menu was a tad expensive but not exorbitant. Unfortunately, the food didn't keep pace. I ordered a couple different rolls but didn't taste any that I'd want to come back for. You can get much better options for your money elsewhere in Indy.
(2)
Chelsy N.
The first time I came to this restaurant, the open sign was off but it was only 9:45PM when I showed up. As I came in, I got greeted, but when I asked if I could use their restroom, after telling me they were closed, the host told me he needed to check to see if the restrooms were cleaned already. After he came back, he tells me they were and that I couldn't use them. Mind you, I got there from biking my way across the city in 10°F weather and was freezing and needed to thaw. He was basically telling me he didn't care about my condition or well-being and that he didn't want to do any extra work that resulted from me splashing warm water on my face or blowing my runny nose. I order the green tea and miso soup to warm myself up, yet the soup was lukewarm and tasted a week old and the tea had oily residue on the surface. I was a little disgusted, but decided to give this place another chance a month later. The second time, I made sure to get there earlier. I had the intention of sitting down and trying their sushi, however, when I asked to use the restroom before being seated, the same host from the first time tells me again that the bathrooms were just cleaned and that I couldn't use them. This time he pissed me off a little, so I complained to him and my server that I'm never allowed to go to the bathroom here. They end up letting me, reluctantly. When my organic greens salad arrives, I was disappointed with the freshness of the leaves, they were wilted, the peanut dressing was bland, and I don't think the greens were washed thoroughly, as I tasted grit while eating it. The sushi was the only redeeming quality of this restaurant, it's why there's 2 stars instead of one. I ordered the chef's special "mystery roll" and was blown away. It was creatively composed of a medley of ingredients that meshed perfectly together, super flavorful. I made sure to tip the sushi chef. I wouldn't recommend eating here if you're looking for an experience worth the amount of money you spend. They're pretty much straight to the point business unless you're spending an extravagant amount of money, and which everything is over-priced as it is.
(2)
Dan M.
The sushi here is top notch! This is my third time being here. I do not understand all the negative reviews! It seems like a lot of the bad reviews came from people who think they really know Japanese cuisine. I was stationed in Japan for a few years and learned that what is authentic Japanese is very different from what most American "sushi bars" serve. It's similar to going to China and expecting General Tso's chicken and crab Rangoon. In an authentic Japanese restaurant you won't find California and Philly rolls or anything deep fried on the outside. If you want those , go to a Chinese buffet. I'm sure these are on the menu to please the Midwestern pallet. Here the sashimi and nigiri are the stars of the show. The sushi chef really is a master at the way he cuts each fish. The prices are high because you are paying for location and most importantly quality fish! I recommend the hamachi, super white tuna (escolar), and the salmon sashimi. If you don't truly know or understand a type of cuisine, please do us all a favor and don't review a restaurant on your own ignorance and get your Cali roll from a supermarket. One last thing: why does it have to be a Japanese guy making your sushi? Would you be upset if a Mexican prepared your cheeseburger?
(5)
Jenny L.
Horrible service. Open tables and they weren't seating people. No sense of urgency from the staff. We finally left seeing that the situation was not improving as more people were filing in.
(1)
Stacy Z.
Looks like people have mixed experiences here but we had a great time. They happily accommodated our large and slightly noisy group in the "special" room and told us up front that there was a minimum $300 bill requirement (not an issue since there were about 11 of us). The waitress was awesome and funny, and happily split up the checks as we were ordering (mostly single checks with a few doubles). The tabletop was close to floor level like a traditional Japanese table, but under the table the floor dropped down so that you could sit at the table American-style. All in all, a great setting. The food here was top notch, especially for sushi in a small Midwestern city (ie not Chicago). Everything we tried, from sushi, to appetizers, to main dishes was outstanding. Take their advice and try the mystery sushi- I still don't know what was in it but I don't care because it was delicious. Portions of everything were generous- appetizers, sushi, and the main dishes. Now I have to say, we were here for lunch about a year ago and were less impressed, but maybe they've made some good changes. All I know is that if the dinner we had is the norm we will definitely be back.
(4)
Michael K.
I'm in town for a conference and this place looked pretty promising from the outside, given the cloying kitschiness of the surrounding tourist traps. I showed up at about 12:15 to a half full dining room on a Monday with four companions. The good: I had a pretty passable soba, and there were no real complaints from my companions regarding the food, which comprised udon, some sushi, and a lunch bento, none of which generated complaints. The price was reasonable for the quality of food. The dining room was clean and inviting, with a pleasing faux-Japanese decor, as we're the restrooms. The bad: Service was atrocious. We stood at the entrance near three minutes before approached for seating. Then, we got water, ordered drinks, received them, and got our water refilled before being approached by a waiter of any sort for a food order, about ten to fifteen minutes after seating. We then received our food about 25 minutes later, after numerous more water refills. Finally, we had but our third encounter with the waiter when he brought us the bill. A visual survey of the dining room revealed many other parties in the same situation. In all, I'd estimate our total time there at about 75 minutes. In a part of town seemingly devoid of anyone at lunchtime but attendees at the nearby convention center, this is unacceptable. It was far too long a sojourn for anyone with the standard 90 minutes for a conference lunch. Summary: if you absolutely have a craving for something East Asian, and you have a ton of time with which to gamble, go at your own risk. Otherwise, go somewhere else so you can make it back for the afternoon sessions.
(2)
Nancy K.
Meh. Service was slow, sushi was okay. Nothing exceptional, and my order was wrong. Walked over for lunch. Restaurant was not busy (first clue). Simple order - avocado roll and Spider roll (soft shell crab). Received avocado roll and shrimp tempura roll (unless crabs now have tails instead of legs), though I paid for a Spider according to receipt. Was short on a time, so ate anyway. Flavor was fine. Pricey, all things considered. Will likely not go back. Lots of other good sushi options in town.
(2)
Tyler C.
We had a reservation and still had a 45 minute wait. Then waited another 20 minutes for someone to take our drink order and another 45 to actually be served. When the food came out, all of our hot dishes were cold and our cold dishes were room temp. I will not be returning.
(1)
Sherry C.
I've been to Mikado 3 times during my travels in Indy, and I gotta say, Mikado's fish quality is very impressive especially for a Japanese restaurant in the Mid West. I highly recommend their nigiri - ESCOLAR (super white tuna) was oily and melt-in-your-mouth smooth. UNI WITH QUAIL EGG was superb. I'm into strong-flavor fish so I enjoyed the MACKEREL as well. For hand rolls I'd recommend the SALMON SKIN HAND ROLL was packed with crispy salmon skins cut in thin pieces. Hot dishes: the IKA YAKI (squid) was very tender, and the soy-based sauce complimented the squid well. I'd recommend the LAMB LOINS as well. Very juicy and tender. All in all a pretty good dining experience at Mikado. They also have a pretty nice SAKE selection.
(5)
Lyn C.
Would do zero stars if we could. We waited 25 minutes for an appetizer and no one came to check on us or refill our water during this time. When the appetizer arrived (it was cold), we cancelled our sushi order when we were told there were 4 more tickets in front of us. Slow service, rude waitstaff, bland high-priced food.
(1)
Thaila K.
Considering that this place is miles away from "fresh" fish, I thoroughly enjoyed my meal here. Conveniently located in "town" you can walk here from several hotels in the area. I agree with other reviewers...the ambiance is fab. We took the adage "when in Rome..." so we asked the our server for some recommendations for both sushi and sake she picked several items...spicy tako (octopus), fuji mountain, tiger eye, etc....I can't remember them all but very delicious and flavorful (oishi katta desu!). Only been here once and during dinner...all the way from Hawaii which has tons of great sushi places since we're surrounded by water and able to get fresh fish in daily. Not sure how many sushi or seafood places Indianapolis has but if you love sushi or seafood definitely check this place out.
(4)
Jon K.
Everything here has been wonderful. ambience, service, seating, cocktails, and Chris is hands down the best server I've ever had in my life.
(5)
Sean C.
Great spot! Travel all over the states and this is too 10 sushi in the country. Fish is awesome and the staff is fantastic. Angus is unreal, love her. Go twice a year from out of state - it's like family. The rolls are great sashimi toro to salmon Wow...
(5)
Colleen D.
Love it. Sushi is so fresh and they have some unique rolls on menu. Been here 3 times when in town. Service very good.
(5)
J H.
I'd scoped out, in advance, this sushi restaurant so we could grab a quick bite to eat before the concert my daughter and friend were attending. It was pretty empty when we got there around 4:30 p.m. The dining area is nice- traditional looking Japanese decor w/ cushions- except that we didn't have to sit on the floor. There are a few more private rooms divided with shoji door/partitions. It was cute. We were seated at the window, which was nice on a beautiful spring day. But we had to move tables, as there were several gnats flying around. The food was decent, the service was a bit slow. But had the girls not been a little anxious to get in line for the concert, we may not have noticed. We thought the prices were a bit high, but I guess if you want sushi, you're willing to overlook it. Parking was relatively easy. Overall decent experience. I was impressed with the downtown Indianapolis area in general.
(3)
Ashley M.
Ordered takeout from Mikado. The gentleman on the phone was very polite and helpful. I have food allergies (gluten) and he made sure t hat the items I ordered could be prepared gluten free. They even have gluten free soy sauce option which is not typical in a Japanese restaurant. We also received great service when we arrived to pick up our order.
The ambiance was about as good as it gets. I immediately felt like I had traveled to the other side of the world as we crossed the threshold. I loved the mix of old world, Japanese teak screen dividers with black, contemporary exposed duct work. The lighting was great and the layout gave the impression the restaurant wasn't packed when in fact it was very crowded. The food was great, but the prices were a little steep and our waiter wasn't around much. When he was he seemed like he had other places to be that were more important. I'm sure he was just busy but it took away from the overall experience. The sushi was nothing I couldn't get anywhere else so I'm not sure if I'll ever go back.
(3)
Hunger E.
NOTORIETY: N/A FOOD: Bento box ($20.95 before tax): This box came w/ seaweed salad, miso soup, shrimp shumai, beef rolls, shrimp & veggie tempura, steamed rice, & sashimi. The seaweed salad was tasty but small. The miso soup was not too salty, but not unique either. The shumai had pretty good flavor to it but had a kinda plastic texture to it. The beef rolls was green onions wrapped w/ beef. It just didn't taste right to me. The green onion was too watery & bitter. The beef was decent, w/ a slightly sweet taste to it. The tempura was crispy but the onion tempura lacked flavor. The rice was nice & sticky & also came w/ some mashed potatoes w/ lil chunks=decent. The sashimi tasted ok. OVERALL: Overpriced, sub-par food is the best way I can describe Mikado. The sushi might be better, but I'm not gonna bother spending any more of my money here. RECOMMENDATION: None TIP: 1. Avoid the bento box=not tasty enough to warrant the price
(2)
kristina S.
Way overpriced and the food is not delicious. Ordered lunch Bento box and didn't like it, probably one of the worst dishes I have had in my life. Didn't taste fresh, there was some beef roll, that you could chew for the next 15 minutes, Save your bucks for something else.
(1)
Hazel W.
The Mikado needs to be updated. The food was good, the seaweed salad, green tea and loved the spicy tuna roll as well as several other pieces including the Salmon and Flying fish Roe. The waiter was distracted, he kept looking away as if he was expecting someone. After a little while we were able to engage him and have better service. I took my friend from NY who is a Sushi Lover and vegetarian, he like the food.
(3)
Carrie C.
Fish tasted old, and food was expensive, given that it tasted so bad.
(1)
Eric S.
The host was rude to me as I entered. Figuring their kitchen would mishandle the food the way the host mishandled his guests, we left briskly and went just down the street.
(1)
Madeleine S.
I went back to Mikado for the first time in a few years with a friend last month. We are both sushi lovers and were looking forward to an enjoyable meal. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. We both had work to do after dinner, so had to stick with water. Our server rolled her eyes at this and acted very impatient--like she was doing us a favor. She was short with us, rushed our order and never once smiled--WORST service in a long time. The sushi--for the price--is not special. Far better sushi can be found elsewhere in Indy. The interior needs a facelift, as well. No wonder there were only a handful of other tables full at the height of the dinner hour. Very disappointed.
(2)
Lisa R.
hmmm....nice looking place but some things made this awkward!! the maitre'd was cleaning the doors when I walked by - no open sign was on, I asked if they were open, walked in, no one said anything. every single person who came in after me, even staff, got "irrashaimase!!!" calls from at least 4 people. sat at the bar, got ignored by the 2 chefs in front of me, an Asian lady and a white guy (hmmm)... the waiter was a bit weird and formal, but he hooked me up with green iced tea...I ordered off the sushi menu and handed to the male chef - the prices here are ridiculous (i guess because it is indiana) but i got 5 pieces soft shell crab roll (actually very good, a tad spicy, with masago, kaiware sprouts, and nice light batter), saba nigiri (not fishy, salty or meaty at all but nice and delicate and oily - house cured), and a yellowtail handroll (was chopped, a bit under-stuffed). the kawaire sprouts were wilted and the ginger was kind of oldish too. I squeezed the lemon from my tea glass into the light soy in my dish to make a nice homemade ponzu. for this little meal, it cost me about $30 with tip. In Vegas I could get all-you-can-eat sushi and the tea and tip for the same cost, so this was tough to digest (haha bad joke) - food was pretty good, but since the chefs did not engage me at all and i was by myself at the bar, and the restaurant was sooo dang quiet, i was not greeted, and it took forever to get a refill, 3 stars.
(3)
Lisa G.
I went to Mikado for sushi one night while traveling for business, and it was pretty dead. I was one of a handful of people there, so the atmosphere was kind of lacking, though the decor was nice. Service was fine. The food was fine. Nothing to write home about, though.
(3)
JW S.
Unfriendly service. Ignored at sushi bar. Don't seem to care about customers. One waitress was overheard bitching about customer requests. Noodle and Tempura dishes are OK. Sushi chef OK. But lack of service and high price makes this a place we won't return to. NOT recommended.
(2)
Brendan S.
Horrible food. Worse service. And the staff was rude. And the bathrooms were out of service so I wonder about the hygiene. They don't like constructive criticism. Please don't waste your time here unless you like to be abused by the waiters.
(1)
Tim G.
Being used to very delicious Japanese food, it has become very difficult to find anything really delicious here in Indiana (I may even include the general eastern part of the United States here). I suppose I can't expect to find good Japanese food from anywhere except Japan, but I would hope there could be some comparable places. Being my first taste of Japanese food here, unfortunately, Mikado was not one of them. Like most places in Indiana, chefs seem to think that throwing teriyaki onto anything automatically makes it Japanese. You'll find a large selection of teriyaki infused dishes here, along with some not-so-great tasting sushi. I was pretty disappointed to say the least, and probably won't be coming back here. Especially for the price, I just expected so much more. At the very least, the staff seemed very helpful and attentive, but then again, being the only ones in the restaurant probably had something to do with that.
(2)
Jackie S.
Great sushi, great service, nice atmosphere. A bit pricy.
(5)
John W.
Eh, just average. Not bad but not great and apparently everyone else thinks so too. This was 8pm on a Friday and there was absolutely no wait at all and the place was probably only 30% full. It's a really big place but it just makes you wonder. We had a total of about 6 different Maki rolls but none of them were all that creative. Many Sushi places I have been to tend to get crazy with the sauces and the colorful flavorful additions to the main ingredients but there wasn't much of that here. I typically never use soy sauce but at Mikado you almost need it to keep it from being bland. I did like their eel rolls quite a bit. Everything came out quick and all at once so that was a plus.
(2)
Kristine D.
Reliable. Not stellar but far from horrible. My waiter had an attitude a bit but I thought the food was decent enough.
(3)
Brittney S.
Not only was the service terrible, but we had a cockroach on the sushi bar right next to us. And, then just when you think it can't get worse my $21 sashimi plate had a rubber band in it. For a lunch where we spend $80 I would expect this place to be way better than what we experienced. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. Maybe that's what we get for ordering sushi in the Midwest. California we're coming home!
(1)
Amanda Z.
I have been spoiled living in Chicago with their plethora of BYOB sushi joints that when I actually have to pay the markup on liquor, I nearly have a heart attack. Seriously. Mikudo served its purpose: provide some raw food for myself and my six other fun-loving group members alongside some beer. So yay for that. Other that that, Mikudo tended to make me snooze. I had some miso soup, the uni-avocado roll, the spider roll and two pieces of super white tuna nigiri plus two Sapporos...nothing blew my mind, but the fish tasted relatively fresh. But I spent nearly $50 BEFORE tip. Insanity! So $14 of that was beer, but still...the prices were not cheap. $4 for a tiny bowl of miso soup? Come on, now. The company was great, the food wasn't bad, and I'd return if ever back in Indy. But it's not something that I will be craving anytime soon...
(3)
anthony L.
I ate here late one night on a business trip. Unlike others I didn't mind the decor at all. It was clean, well lit, and Japanesey. The wait staff was great, we shot the shit about the world cup, and they gave me some great recommendations. The food was great! I had seaweed salad, green tea, spicy tuna roll, and salmon/yellowtail sashimi. Loved it all! the spicy tuna roll was one of the better ones I've had. The only down side was the bill! $50 for what I feel like is usually a $30-$35 dinner -- even at some nicer places in Boston (where I'm from). I'll be going back next time I'm in town.
(4)
Andre d.
I was staying at a hotel just across the street and noticed the sign out front beckoning folks to order the Mystery Roll. I stepped in and took a seat at the sushi bar. I sat there for over ten minutes before anyone even noticed I was there. The host finally took a drink order and I filled out my sushi order and placed it on the counter. I ordered the mystery roll and an order of gyoza. I drank my beer for the next ten minutes when my waiter finally approached. I told him my order and he scampered off. The sushi chef served me the mystery roll. It was terrible. It was basically a deep-fried california roll. Something I would never order in a sushi bar, nut the menu said not to ask what it was and just order it. About ten minutes after I finished my mystery roll, the waiter came by with my order of gyoza. (I had hoped this would be my appetizer). These were the absolute worst dumplings I had ever had. They were gummy and flavorless. I then waited for the check which took at least another ten minutes to arrive. I am a generous tipper but not this time, folks. I couldn't justify a $30 tab for a beer, a roll and six poorly-made dumplings and some of the worst service I'd ever received. I did not tip and will not dine at this establishment ever again.
(1)
Jodi S.
Excellent sashimi, service, and ambiance. I had salmon sashimi and it melted in my mouth.
(5)
Mike B.
I've been here several times and keep waiting to be 'Wow'ed. I just haven't gotten that from this place. It is a solid 3 stars but it just hasn't been able to get any higher one my list. Service is good, food is good not great and I think because I haven't been overwhelmed by either the food or the service it remains 3 stars. Plus....Sushi in Indy? Maybe I'm expecting to much ;)
(3)
Susan P.
Came here once during a convention for lunch, it was within walking distance. I was with my boyfriend. If I could describe this place in one word it would be: waiting. Waiting to get seated, waiting to have drink orders taken, waiting to have our food order taken, waiting for food, waiting for refills, waiting for the other part of my food order, no waiting on the bill though. 10-30 minute waits for each. The bar was full, the room we were in only had two other tables filled (we each had different servers too), the floor outside our room was only half full, it was not busy. So there was no excuse for the waiting. The host seemed annoyed and didn't welcome us to the restaurant. The sushi I had was meh for the price I paid. It looked like it had been thrown onto a plate and our server forgot part of my order. I had high hopes and was severely let down. Pretty sure I won't be going back.
(2)
Tim B.
Mikado is our Thursday night dinner every 6 months when we are in Indy for a conference. The food is always good, sometimes excellent, but this time Mikado did not hit the mark. The fish was fresh and that is good for Sushi but everything else was just off. Maybe it was the service. We have never expected great service here. Usually slow and the servers generally have no personality but that night the service was terrible. The server argued with us about the food preparation, we had to chase him down and not a single meal came out with any of the others. 4 people, 4 meals delivered separately. I am so frustrated but will enjoy the search for a new thursday night place.
(2)
Ben S.
Went here for dinner while on business and having a hankering for some sushi. My impression when walking in was pretty underwhelming. This place could use some redecorating, as the beige carpet is stained and looks like it has never been replaced, and the blackout on the lower parts of the windows is peeling. However, fears that all components of the restaurant would take their cues from the decor were assuaged by our wonderfully friendly and helpful server. My co-worker and I said we were from California and therefore had high expectations for our sushi. In response, our server told us that the salmon and escolar were both flown in that day. He described the escolar as "poor man's toro." That description held up when I tasted the light, delicate white fish nigri The salmon nigri was unbelievable without even the slightest whisp of fishiness. Really outstanding. For rolls, we selected the spicy squid--another rec from our server--spicy tuna and yellowtail. Despite the squid being chopped up, this spicy roll did not live up to the hype. The spicy squid was chewy and the mixture too mayonnaise-y. Also not meeting expectations was the yellowtail roll, which had very little fish. The spicy tuna roll, however, was nice. Overall, the service was the standout here, as well as their fresh salmon and escolar. Attentive without being suffocating, our server timed all our dishes nicely. I liked being able to finish our nigri before the rolls were brought out. I left fairly impressed by the sushi I found despite not being in a coast. 3-3.5 stars.
(3)
R Y.
Came in for a sashimi bento box. Lunch price $20.95 Sashimi was good, but you never get enough. That was the best part of the box. The fish was fresh, cool, and not a hint of fishiness. Tempura....one shrimp, one carrot, and one onion ring. Decent Asparagus wrapped in beef (I think)...3 little pieces. way over salty due to soy sauce. Tasted wilted, maybe even microwaved. Sui mai...fried dumpling. Was delicious, but one the size of half my thumb A tablespoon of potato salad, and maybe 2 teaspoons of seaweed salad. Steamed rice and miso soup....can't ruin that. Overall, not bad, but not great for a lunch price. I was still hungry. A little overpriced for my appetite. Service was good.
(3)
Nancy H.
I am shocked that this place has as many stars as it does and I want to set the record straight. Not sure who is rating this place but this place is worse than "mall Japanese food". Not only that, but it's expensive for the quality of food. My friends ordered the CHICKEN BREAST TERIYAKI for $17 and it came out CHARRED and practically inedible. It was extremely dry and when they asked for extra sauce to make it better, it didn't come for 20 minutes despite the fact that the restaurant was practically empty. I had the NABEYAKI UDON for $16 which was passable but pretty mediocre. Service was extremely slow. Place lacked authenticity. Grossly overpriced. Don't go here looking for real Japanese food or UNBURNED food, for that matter.
(1)
Nate K.
I recently stopped at this little sushi spot in downtown Indy when I was there for a job interview. While the interview didn't pan out, the sushi was pretty darn good. Like other reviewers, when I walked into Mikado, I kind of questioned the decor (both on the outside and on the inside) - but the bar was open and the kid behind the sushi bar made me some pretty solid rolls. I also tried the beef roll and the Shrimp Udon - both were good. Best of all, the staff was friendly and were really excited by the upcoming Super Bowl (as the restaurant is only two blocks away from Lucas Oil Stadium). All in all, it was a pretty good lunch highlighted by the fact that i was able to expense it all.
(4)
Devon T.
My group of four came to this restaurant during a convention in Indianapolis. Because of the con, most places we're busy, so we expected a bit of a wait to be seated. We did not, however, expect to wait almost half an hour after being seated before seeing a server. My party ordered sushi, I ordered a teriyaki dish - maybe my first mistake. I got my food about an hour into the experience. The teriyaki was a little dry and not very warm. I finished my food an hour in a half in, and the rest of my party had not received their food yet. I suspect they had held onto the teriyaki in hopes that the sushi order would catch up, but eventually realized that was not going to happen. Two hours in, the sushi order fully arrives. We asked to talk tothe manager. After which, the understandably frustrated waiter began to show his stress towards us. The manager apologized profusely, offered to remake a botched sushi order, and carefully explained that they got this rush every year during the convention and simply couldn't keep up with the rush. I understand they were busy, but this level of service was just not acceptable, especially for the cost of the food. Maybe if the place wasn't so busy...
(1)
Web M.
Very nice. Good sushi, friendly service. I went in by myself and sat at the sushi bar about 5:30 on a Monday evening and there were about 4 people in there besides me.
(4)
Kunal M.
We stopped in for dinner. The sushi was well prepared, and for the most part I enjoyed everything that we ordered. The service was a bit off, we ordered unfiltered sake, and they poured it without shaking so we had clear sake for a second. My "key roll" at any sushi place is the spicy tuna, and it wasn't that great. I would go again, but it's a pretty average sushi place overall.
(3)
BD Traveler R.
We stopped by Mikado recently for dinner while passing through town. We shared a Sushi Chef's selection of assorted sushi, and an entree each. The food was all very good, although not exceptional. The portions were on the larger side, but neither that nor the food itself justified the high prices in my opinion (entrees were about $25 - $30 for each of us and I think the sushi platter was another $25 or so). I found the decor inside to be very well done, but the service was a little more "casual" than I would have liked. Our waiter didn't seem too keen on checking in on us, and should have been more attentive. Overall, we had a good meal, but I would have expected more for what they were charging.
(3)
Cat M.
Within walking distance of Conseco Fieldhouse. Ate here last night before watching Glee live, very good sushi! Favorites were sun roll, mt. fuji roll, sumo roll, I am a salmon lover and while I don't remember the rolls exact ingredients, they did feature salmon. Fish was fresh, combos were tasty, and service was fast and friendly. We made it to our show in plenty of time. Prices were just right, not overly pricey at all. Definitely recommend. I am very surprised at negative reviews.
(4)
Debbie S.
Our dinner at Mikado was pretty so-so this evening. I ate there about 3 and 5 years ago, and this dining experience was definitely not as good as it used to be. The rice was somewhat stiff, like the kind that you get when sushi has been on a sushi boat for a while. The pre-mixed fish things (like spicy tuna) looked like they been sitting in there for a while, and the wasabi was a little crusted over. The spicy tuna was not spicy. There were only 5 of us in the restaurant (we arrived at 6:30), which surprised me. Although there were 2 sushi chefs working, it was hard to get their attention as they were often back in the kitchen. On the upside, the waiter provided very good service and the mushroom appetizer was lovely.
(3)
Indy W.
I've been to Mikado twice: once in late 2007 and then again just recently. It'll probably be the same amount of time until my next visit. Not that that's a bad thing. It's a quiet, well-maintained Japanese restaurant. Servers were pleasant and efficient each time. Food was nicely presented, drinks properly warmed, no surprises. Good or bad. Get my drift...?
(3)
John M.
Visited earlier this week while in town for a training - needed some light and close to my hotel downtown. The woman who greeted me was friendly and the ambiance very nice. It was a Monday night so the place was pretty quiet, but it was actually perfect - a seat at the sushi bar, two rolls, an organic green salad, and a glass of Viognier. The spider roll was very good, one of the better ones I've had recently. The Colts game was on the TV at the bar so there were brief moments of elation from the staff, but I'm pretty laid back and it didn't bother me at all - it was actually pretty entertaining. Would be a good place for a date, as well as a group celebration.
(4)
William K.
Wonderful food and wonderful service. Came with kids 8 and 10 years old and the staff took special care to make sure everyone got something they liked.
(5)
Dav W.
The only place in Indy where I have been able to find Katsu Chicken Curry just like I would get from Coco Ichibanya in Japan. (It is not on the menu, but you can ask for it.) Staff is great and atmosphere is wonderful. Definitely my favorite Japanese restaurant in Indy.
(5)
Alena B.
This place was really good. My coworkers and I hung out here before we headed home. I love Japanese food but this is a little more upscale and complicated than your normal Japanese fair. I wasn't blown away by anything in particular but I think they have consistently good food. Fun for groups! It was a bit pricey for what you get but we were on an expense report!
(3)
Matt S.
After two visits to Mikado I think it is safe to say that this is a solid but not outstanding restaurant. The first time I ordered off of the dinner entre menu and had the very delicious Trio Salmon. Most recently, I had some miso soup and the sushi chef's special which featured a variety of sashimi and maki. It was all very good and fresh. The reason that I withheld another star is because the prices are a bit high and the service was just so-so.
(3)
John R.
I first got here 5 years ago during gen-con and the place was great, however in the last few years something has happened, and I can not recommend it any more. The last time I found the food over priced for what we got, and when I go this summer I will not be going here again.
(1)
Brian B.
Sat at the sushi bar for a quick lunch. Selection is lacking in special rolls and freshness. Expensive, too! If you're used to good sushi, you may be disappointed.
One of Indy's nicest and most well-known Japanese restaurants, Mikado has as much to offer in seating options as it does food choices. The food here is great, although it is rather expensive. However, the atmosphere is wonderful. They have several seating options that are either partially or completely private, so it's one of the best spots to take a date or significant other. In case it is busy, or if you're waiting for your party to arrive, the bar area is awesome for chillin' pre-meal. As with most good Japanese restaurants, I recommend ordering some sake with your meal. The servers can recommend a good one. Located right downtown, near the Circle-Center mall and Pan Am Plaza, there is limited street parking available, but several parking options nearby in garages and surface lots. Even better, take a cab downtown and enjoy a long night of downtown nightlife.
(4)
allison s.
The sushi is of the highest quality here.. My favorite is the Sun Roll, I cannot begin to tell you of the amazing things rolled up in it, but it is covered in tempura and fried. It is sooo good!!! Everything is fresh and the service is wonderful! Happy Dining!
(5)
Elizabeth H.
I was compelled to create a profile on Yelp and write this review based on my TERRIBLE experience here. My friend and I were in town last week for a convention and wanted sushi. Stopped in here early evening, ordered some rolls. The eel/ avocado tasted like the fish had gone bad. The spicy salmon also tasted odd. We chose not to finish our meals.... later that evening we were both stricken with what we believe was food poisoning. I was sick for more than 36 hours after eating here. I eat sushi regularly (about once a week), and have NEVER gotten sick from it. Same goes for my friend. I filed a complaint with the health department. I'd stay away if I were you...
(1)
Megan C.
The restaurant is nice, but I wasn't impressed by the sushi. It was warm, in a bad, weird, shouldn't be warm way. The other food was good. I like the the spicy seafood soup and my bf had a bento box that was very tasty. I don't know if I would go back...I think there are better Japanese restaurants.
(3)
Brittany L.
Despite the fact that everyone blatantly stared at my boyfriend and I when we traipsed in, I thought the ambiance was pretty nice. Dark, comfortable couch area near the bar, spacious, but yes, a bit contrived. Looking at the menu, I freaked out a bit because of the lack of vegetarian options, but actually our waitress was amazing and helped out a lot. Vegetable tempura - yummy, and a good variety, but there's only one of each vegetable, so that leaves something to fight over. My boyfriend complained that is seemed unfresh, but I'm a sucker for anything fried, so it was fine. I think we also got the tofu tempura, and that was pretty good...I have had better, and later, we learned that it has a fish based sauce so beware! ORDER THE ASPARAGUS TEMPURA SUSHI. it blew my mind and continues to do so. it's delicious. asparagus is my favorite vegetable, and it's rolled with an awesome mayonaise, plus it's warm on the inside. it's awesome.
(3)
Steve C.
Maybe we're just lucky but every time we eat here we feel like we've had some of the best sushi anywhere in the US. We've not really ordered anything else so we can't speak to the rest of the menu. The martini's are also surprisingly good as well. We've gone to Indy several times for the F1 race (US Grand Prix) and each time Mikado has an unusually high number of the F1 drivers visiting for dinner so we must not be imagining things when it comes to the food. Admittedly we always find ourselves laughing at the fact that some of the best sushi we've ever had (quality, presentation, creativity) is right in the middle of America!
(5)
Rah Rah C.
I would consider Mikado one of the better Japanese restaurants in the city. Besides good sushi they also feature classic American favorites such as steak and seafood and a full bar. Choose either to sit at the sushi bar, dining room, or watch the chefs work their skills at an open Teppanyaki grill for a memorable dining experience. I recently had lunch with some friends here. We were greeted and seated quickly. We ordered a plethora of different things starting with King Crab, Eel, Spicy Tuna, and Shrimp rolls. We ordered Seafood Tempura and about five of their specialty rolls. Most everything tasted fresh. The reason they don't get more stars is the fact that the dining room needs some serious dusting and renovation attention. The other reason is some of their menu items are grossly overpriced! Our server was sweet, knowledgeable, and attentive. I would go here again when visiting downtown Indy.
(3)
Crystal W.
had a lovely meal here. No problems getting seated. The tempura was perfect. The goya was the best I've had. The wrapping was so delicate and lovely I almost (*almost*) didn't want to eat them. Worth a try, I'd say.
(4)
Jen C.
I've been here once and had a flawless experience. Fair prices, delicious rolls, an inventive drink menu, spot-on service and a nice atmosphere. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Jason K.
What garbage. First the owners are Chinese, the sushi chef is Korean and worst of all food is None of the above. Sushi is low class, food is plain at best, service is decent(hence the 2 stars). It is over rated and over priced. Atmosphere and location are nice though.
(2)
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Address :148 S Illinois St
Indianapolis, IN, 46225
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Very Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Paid Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Mark M.
I worked for JuPing Chi and her wonderful sister YuMai Chi over 20 yrs ago, in college, at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. The family was amazing, with Papa and Mama Chi leading their daughters in the USA. I could write a novel about my experiences working for the Chi sisters, which would take 2 yrs to write and close to the same to read, not to mention this is a restaurant critÃc, so I will not spend our time doing that. As for the Mikado restaurant, go there, go there, go there; that's all I can say. I feel, 99% certain (I've learned never to predict perfection) that you will LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about it and I hope you are lucky enough to meet either YuMai or JuPing. In college, looking back, I would have never guessed the profound impact a part-time college job would still have on me 20+ yrs later.
(5)Tiffnay M.
The seats are old and should have been replaced years ago. The place has a lot of potential, but an investment in quality isn't being made. The wasabi Shumai (one of my favorite dishes, normally) was mushy, slimy, and barely room temperature. It was placed on a bed of wilted lettuce in a stem basket. Honestly the texture made me gag. The frozen ones that I reheat from trader joes taste better and have better texture. ...I gave up I can't eat this. The Nabeyaki Udon had no flavor. Also had a random assortment of vegetables that seemed like they were about to go bad, so that's how they made there way into my soup. ...I still couldn't eat it. Everything down to the lemon (idk how old it was, dried out and slimy all at once) in my water made me skeeved out.
(1)Caycie b.
Coming from California I did not expect too much for sushi in Indiana. Sadly I got nothing. The reviews, which I read afterwards, were spot on food was bland and most likely frozen. Service was okay. Everything had spicy mayo on it to try and make it better .... It didn't Pass this is not sushi
(1)Boon K.
So I am going back and forth with this rating as I know I am comparing them to the cities. But I must say for not have a body of water near them the fish is very fresh as the owner let us know that they have been flying in their fish from Japan. The roll on fire is super hot and refreshing. the fried oysters is a large portion of 6 and pretty good too.
(4)Heather S.
The food we got was fine. The problem was that we never got a third of our meal so I can only speak to the tiger roll, California roll and salmon nigiri -- all adequate, but the Cali was a little heavy on the avocado. Service was pretty terrible I'm sorry to say. We waited over an hour for our food, and didn't get all of it. Rolls were spaced out so my party was unable to eat together. Our waiter was nowhere to be found when needed. I prefer dining at local places over chains but unfortunately I'm taking this one off my places to visit in Indy.
(3)Maya H.
I feel like both the quality and service have gone down since my last review. We used to go pretty often for sushi, but lately we havent been going at all. I waited quietly by the sushi bar for about 30 minutes for someone to take my card to pay for lunch, and eentually went seeking the register, where the woman snapped at me and made sure to point out the line where i could tip. Also The iced tea super sucks do not order the iced tea.
(4)Luis A.
The waiter made us feel really uncomfortable,it was a tense mood, and the flavor of the food was just average. stay away from the iced tea.
(2)Jamie M.
Not impressed. Take out to hotel across the street. They did give us utensils and napkins. Staff was very nice. The sushi rolls the fish was mushy and just not good. Will not go here when back to town. The restaurant was very pretty inside. But not why I go to a place to eat.
(2)Anthony D.
Ate here for lunch. Had three different rolls, tea and miso soup. All were good. A bit pricey but good. Nothing special. Then again, I didn't order anything special so I can't really give it more stars.
(3)Bryan B.
Not sure what Eric S is talking about... We had great service, great food, and a fantastic meal. It looks like he is from the Ann Arbor Michigan area so maybe he is used to a more snobbish approach to dining but those of us that live and work in the Midwest appreciate places like the Mikado. Had a tasty firebox Roll with a spicy tuna handroll and it hit the spot.
(5)Lonnie R.
Not hibachi, i got the filet and it was a low grade of beef. Dont ask for fried rice, you will not get it no substitution or choice Vegies steamed no hibachi grilled
(1)Albert S.
This is the first bad review I have ever written. The LGBT people who work at this restaurant could be the least LGBT service friendly people I have met. Each time I expect authentic Japanese cuisine in Indianapolis, I am met with a disgusting interpretation of Chinese-Mex garbage food. Freezer burned protein, thawed in microwave, chemical additives, artificial coloring, seasoned with MSG and prepared in GRIME! If you have the misfortune of eating here, prepare your immune system to combat the food bourn illness. Very unlucky business, do not be fooled. Eek! Methinks not.
(1)Sam M.
If you are looking for a tasty, traditional style Japanese restaraunt then look no further Yelpers. I have had the pleasure of trying both the sushi and main entres and can offer rave reviews on both. My father took me here many years ago for my first introduction to sushi and I have loved it ever since. I recently chose to mix things up and tried their Nabeyaki Noom, a savory noodle dish with beef, chicken, a runy egg, and lots of veggies. It was delectable!! Thw prices are very reasonable and the staff is polite and attentitive. They are not quite as out going as you might find in Broad Ripple establishments, but they are most certainly aware of their customers needs and ensure a pleasant meal.
(4)Stu M.
I was "underwhelmed". Service was at best average in my opinion but our server may have been exhausted since I do not believe the AC was on. Probably will not return which is a disappointment given the restaurant has promise.
(1)Andy C.
Great dine in experienced.
(5)Michelle D.
Service was good, our waitress was very friendly and willing to explain the different dishes and types of sashimi to us. I had the Chirashi (bowl of sashimi on rice) and it was so delicious. Fish was fresh and sliced to manageable sizes. The sticky rice was well done and easy to eat with chopsticks. I'm in town for a convention and I think I'll be going there for take-out lunch tomorrow and the next day, and the next. It was that good.
(5)Jonathan N.
The restaurant is pretty big and has some nice japanese decor on the inside. I ordered take-out as I read horrible reviews about the sushi bar. Seaweed salad - not bad but had multiple blueberries in it. I saw one and was thinking they accidently dropped one in. Then I found 4 more and was just plain confused. Ama Ebi (sweet shrimp) - the heads were not fried property and very difficult to eat. The shrimp itself was good. Sashimi Combo B - 3 different types of fish were served and the cuts were uneven but decent. I have definitely had fresher fish but this was still not bad. Prices were a little high for what I received. The restaurant is in walking distance of the hotels in the area so that is why I MIGHT return but I would definitely not go out of my way to dine here.
(3)Whitnie E.
I stopped into Mikado while in downtown Indy for some training for a quick lunch. The service was fast, and very friendly. I started the meal off with some green tea, which was delicious. I had a bowl of miso soup along with a spicy shrimp roll and both were great. I had a filling, fresh lunch and was back in time for the start of my afternoon training! The restaurant itself is a bit winding and interesting to get around, and there is a lot of decor to look at.
(3)Tiffany W.
I stopped in here for dinner while on a business trip per a recommendation and the food was great! Not sure what all the bad reviews are about. I started with the Miso soup and then had the Tuna Tataki and a Sumo Roll. Everything was delicious and filling. The Sumo Roll was excellent! The service was also top notch. I never waited for a refill and she kept coming back to the table to check on me. Does the place need a makeover? Yes, but the food is delicious. The prices are in line with the area. I would go back and recommend it to others.
(5)Will H.
Loved this place! Super busy during GenCon, but everyone was very nice and we only waited 20 minutes before sitting at the sushi bar. They have a great variety of sushi, and I didn't get too adventurous - other than the Mystery Roll. I don't know what's in it, but it was delicious! The sushi chef accidentally put a roll of mine on my friends plate and one of his on mine. Not a major problem, but still and issue. He was very apologetic and offered to remake both rolls. Overall, a great place! Pricey, but a fantastic lunch!
(4)Lyndenise B.
The food was more like 3 stars but the service definitely made this one of the most memorable dining experiences ever! Chris was our waiter and he was so entertaining. He's been a customer for 6 years and then decided to work there for the discount. He knows more about sushi and super tasters than anyone I have ever met! He was very attentive it his demeanor was awesome!!! Please ask for Chris, he only works a couple of days a week but you will thank me later! Tell him what wine or beer you like and he'll bring your fave sushi out, he's just that good!!
(4)Hope A.
This place needs a makeover. It seems the staff is pretty passionate about the food if you can get them to connect with you but they are definitely in their own world and seemed to be only checking off a checklist of things they needed to do when serving you. Not very genuinely interested in you. Which is a positive differentiator when you can find it. The booth we sat in was pretty run down and the hanging curtains need a cleaning badly. The ambiance is probably better and aging decor less distracting when the place is crowded but based on the other yelp reviews I'm sure people get scared off. I definitely was scrutinizing my plate when it arrived based on what i read (after I got there...I didn't check before choosing the place). My sushi was ok. The asparagus rolls were a bit cold and I don't think cooked enough. And there was a tiny hair under one piece. (Not too big a deal but I was a bit paranoid after reading the other reviews). The mountain of sushi was good but I think there was a fruit fly in the shredded crab topping (I didn't want to make it obvious that I was checking it as not to disturb my bf who was eating his pan fried pork tenderloin and enjoying it.) You never can tell with sushi, sometimes it's just a piece of seaweed but it coulda been a piece of mildew. Who knows. So you just eat more ginger and buck up. We left full so I won't complain any more than just the things I noted. Just really need to update the decor a bit and concentrate on caring for and connecting with the guests and the reviews will get better and hopefully other yelpers will be able to enjoy the food without being neurotic.
(3)Jay K.
The quality of the food is great! We ordered shrimp tempura as an appetizer and we got three sort of thin tempura...I kind of wished they gave us more considering the price but it was still delicious. I think the donkatsu was good but not to die for. I would say the best dish we ate was the katsudon. As for everything else there was pretty good service, nice tables and a kind of dim lighting.
(4)Patricia N.
Nice upscale ambiance, but it was cold inside. Luckily, we sat by heaters. We came on a weeknight, while Devour Downtown was going on. However, we opted to just go with sushi. Tried a lot of the specialty rolls...and yes, I thought they were over-priced too. It's nice they have some Japanese beers and local craft beers on draft.
(3)Sherine S.
Went to Mikado on a busy Indy 500 night. Service was exceptional and sushi was excellent. We came in with a party of eight and were seated within five minutes. Service was very professional. We ordered some typical appetizers: edamame, beef rolls, and tempura. All were great, but especially tempura was light and flaky. Perfect! Sushi was scrumptious. Salmon nigiri might be the best I've ever had. Melted in my mouth. The specialty rolls were not just just special, they were exceptional. Especially the seafood puff. Go there. Get it. You will love it!
(5)Jessie S.
After going past this place a million times, my dad and I decided to try it. I'd never thought to stop in just based on the exterior and what I could see through the windows: The place looks dated. Moving onto our experience: The place was empty! True, it was a Monday night, but it was during Devour Downtown! The waitstaff was incredibly helpful, and even steered me towards the "best values" on the menu, because as everyone else has mentioned - this place is expensive! And I think the waitstaff knows why no one dines here, THE PRICE! Was my food good? Yes. Was the service excellent? Yes. Will I go back? Probably not (Unless someone else is buying...but even then, there's cooler places in Indy I'd like to be treated to.)
(3)Ian S.
Mikado is a very very nice, upscale Sushi restaurant. The prices are a little high, but not abusive. If you have a large group, they have a traditional Japanese tabi room. So traditional that you must remove your shoes. It was a lot of fun and the service is very good. If you're looking to splurge a little bit, this is a great place to check out.
(4)Elena L.
My grandma hosted my engagement party here and it was just wonderful. They have a private room big enough to fit about 40 people and still feel spacious. The food was delicious! And the staff was helpful and polite. I love this place!
(4)Dan S.
THE FOOD. The food here was bland only a single taste, rice was not cooked well, there was no presentation to the food as I'm used to when going to a sushi restraunt. Even the salad dressing witch was not a normal japanese style had no taste I would say the highlight of the food was the miso soup that is normally complementary. CLEANLINESS. The soy dish had some old dried food in it and when I went to see what it was rubbing my finger in the dish reavealed other particles of food crusted on the inside of the dish. THE SERVICE At first the wait staff seemed friendly but when he made a joke and no one laughed he kind of got passive aggressive and made it seem like we were a burden on his day. Finishing the night off with "So what's next" not would you care for desert or anything of the sort. THE COST For all this the cost between me and my wife and son was about $100. FINAL THOUGHTS As I walked out of the building I saw a Japanese man looking at there menu I really wanted to tell him not to eat there as I would advise anyone that is thinking about eating there.
(1)Isabelle L.
Located near the convention center, Mikado is convenient to grab food on a break. But due on location, the food is overpriced for the quality served. They offer traditional Japanese dishes: sushi, maki, chirashi, rice bowls, noodles... Food was OK but really bland. Yet this was a nice break from all the other overpriced "steak houses" in the area.
(3)Brad B.
This place has easily the worst sushi I've ever had in my life. I was also not very impressed with the service that was offered to me. I sat at the sushi bar and I think the waiter and the waitstaff said a total of 10 words to me the entire time (45 minutes) that I was there. Save your time and save your money. If you have a taste for sushi, try someplace else.
(1)Kyle B.
This was your last chance Mikado.....you know people have an hour for lunch so why do I have to go find someone to get my check? Food was a little below average this time too.
(1)Bart K.
This is a tired, lack luster place which needs a makeover. We were walked through an empty dining room to a table right near the air system, which had worn chairs that had no cushion support left in the seats. The food was ok to above average, but the iced tea was murky and cloudy and did not look fresh so I stuck with water. One MIGHT put up with this if this was the only place to get sushi in Indy. But since it is not, I will pass the next time someone suggests we go there.
(2)Frankie S.
We came in on st Patricks day weekend after spending the day downtown. We brought our daughter and our niece ages 2 and 7. The place was BEAUTIFUL! There were tables built into the floor. Friendly staff, They DO NOT have a kids menu tho. They gave us a few options that were kid friendly. I enjoyed the sushi and the girls enjoyed their chicken meal. It was big enough to feed them both. They are a bit pricey but It's worth it.
(4)Doug C.
Brendan our sushi chef was on his game. His plating was superb and the sushi was beyond approach in Indiana. We've been patrons of Mikado for over a decade and their dedication to quality food and service makes them a top notch restraint for Indy.
(5)Swatee G.
Walked into this place at around 6ish on a Saturday afternoon.. they were starting to get busy, with peopel trickling in. The fact that a japanese place was advertising Scottish Salmon on their specials board outside was a bit un-nerving, coupled with the fact that we were greeted by a 'as-white-as-i-can-be' guy at the hist stand. Nevertheless, their setting is very nice.. very commerical and chic if I may say so. Started off with the Edmamme - I am a huge fan, and trust me when I say these were BELOW meh! :( Not seasons properly, not even boiled to the right tenderness, these were absolutely nO fun to eat. Move ont o the miso soup, I can't complain, it was just ok - nothing special Next came the veggie tempura. Not a fan of the weird runny warm sauce that came with it, like a watered down soy sauce.. ugh! The tempura itself was ok, the eggplant being the worse I guess, since the pieces were WAY too thick. It was one of those days when I was vegetarian, so had to go for the Veggie fried rice, instead of a roll. It was probably the worst I have ever had in recent times. Rice absolutely stuck together, over done, too much oil, tasteless - so bland, that I poured hot and soy sauce over it.. ME of all people, and if you know me, you know I DO NOT believe in enhancing the flavor of food with the aid of hot sauce. gross!! Left it after a couple of bites :( The Udon bowl was apparantly good, per my co-worker. The Salmon 3 ways was ..well.. just salmon.. Nothing great! No one finished any rolls, no body seemed to be a fan. And of course, this is place is as pricey as it gets! I understand it is downtown Indy, and apart from their upscale look, they have nothing going on for them.. not even great/ fancy presentation of the food! For the $16.00 I paid for veggie fired rice (no eggs even), it was dumped on a plate with a dry leaf at the bottom (Really?!!) with flowerets of brocolli stuck on to the rice heap. I DO NOT appreciate that.. %170.00 plus tip for 4 people who let most of their food be on the plate.. How is that justified?! NOT coming back, and WILL NOT recommend it!
(1)Scott P.
I honestly enjoyed this place, and I hate to say that I was a little surprised by how much. Their sushi was spot-on delicious, and they have plenty of options, including things that I have an EXTREMELY hard time finding elsewhere (if you don't know the difference between anago and unagi, then you OWE IT TO YOURSELF to come here and find out!!!). They even had ankimo, and it was DELICIOUS! I ordered my body weight in sushi, and everything was pleasing to my oh-so refined palate. :) Their salmon skin rolls were spot-on, and really made me a happy man. Next time I have an overnight in the city of Indianapolis, I'll definitely be heading this way!!
(4)Chad I.
The ambience was pleasant, but that was the only highlight of the evening. Upon arrival our group was not escorted to our table; instead we were pointed to a general direction and were asked to wait for our menus. The service was below average and slow. We payed over 30 dollars for two rolls that didn't even scratch the surface of our appetite. Although the appearance was pleasant the overall experience was a disaster. I would definitely not recommend this place nor shall I return. There is now an abundance of sushi restaurants in Indianapolis, and this place is no where near up to par.
(2)Jenn W.
Great spot for sushi near convention center. Very generous cuts of sashimi and friendly service. Nice atmosphere too. Only issue was cost - $18 for a rainbow roll was high. But I would definitely recommend it- seemed to have good rooms for groups too.
(4)Michelle A.
We started out with sushi and beer as our appetizer. Then I got the bento box and it was HUGE. It had a full entree portion of salmon + teriyaki chicken + tonkatsu along with a salad, beef roles, and shrimp shumai. This could have fed 3 people for sure. I was just surprised that we were the only ones in the restaurant the entire time we were there!
(4)S P.
Ate here for lunch on a weekday coming from a conference. Place is not as busy and I believe the price of their food is to blame. Food was average and service was friendly but nothing spectacular. "Meh. I've experience better" is spot on!
(2)DeAnna P.
Overpriced and not very tasty. This would be a fantastic restaurant if you were coming solely for ambiance. It is absolutely gorgeous inside. It has such a sexy and classy vibe. Come here for a first date...but then never bother to go back. I came here by myself for lunch and sat at the sushi bar. I only ordered a roll, yet somehow my lunch took nearly an hour. Service was painfully slow, despite being one of only four parties at the restaurant. I don't remember the name of my roll, and strangely, I couldn't find it or the names of any of their other specialty rolls on the website. But it was tempura fried and filled with shrimp, crab, cream cheese. Eating a lot of sushi, I should have realized that mixing two sweet seafoods with only cream cheese would make a roll overly sweet. The spicy sauce on top should have cut through the sweetness, but the sauce was also too sweet (and not very hot). I ended up with a roll that was left in the fryer way too long until it was molten (I spit out the first taste after it seared the roof of my mouth). There was enough tempura on it to reasonably cover two or three rolls. And it was so sweet, it tasted more like dessert sushi than a good seafood roll. Add the fact that it was a $12 roll, and Mikado, you are starting to add insult to (literal) injury. Skip it. There really is no reason to go here unless you are stuck down town and dying for sushi. If you are a tourist, lace up your walking shoes or drop $5 on a cab ride to Forty-Five for sushi done right. Locals, hit up Forty-Five for great ambiance or Sushi Club for amazing sushi.
(2)Lisa H.
Had a sushi dinner, everything was great and tasted like high quality. Our server was really nice. The only downside is that it is a little expensive but sushi is expensive in general without a lunch deal or something so we expected that. Would recommend trying it out, I know friends go here for business dinners and have a great time, no complaints.
(4)Ted M.
From the outside it looks like a nice and moderately classy downtown establishment. The lighting and general feel of the restaurant was right and the menu was a tad expensive but not exorbitant. Unfortunately, the food didn't keep pace. I ordered a couple different rolls but didn't taste any that I'd want to come back for. You can get much better options for your money elsewhere in Indy.
(2)Chelsy N.
The first time I came to this restaurant, the open sign was off but it was only 9:45PM when I showed up. As I came in, I got greeted, but when I asked if I could use their restroom, after telling me they were closed, the host told me he needed to check to see if the restrooms were cleaned already. After he came back, he tells me they were and that I couldn't use them. Mind you, I got there from biking my way across the city in 10°F weather and was freezing and needed to thaw. He was basically telling me he didn't care about my condition or well-being and that he didn't want to do any extra work that resulted from me splashing warm water on my face or blowing my runny nose. I order the green tea and miso soup to warm myself up, yet the soup was lukewarm and tasted a week old and the tea had oily residue on the surface. I was a little disgusted, but decided to give this place another chance a month later. The second time, I made sure to get there earlier. I had the intention of sitting down and trying their sushi, however, when I asked to use the restroom before being seated, the same host from the first time tells me again that the bathrooms were just cleaned and that I couldn't use them. This time he pissed me off a little, so I complained to him and my server that I'm never allowed to go to the bathroom here. They end up letting me, reluctantly. When my organic greens salad arrives, I was disappointed with the freshness of the leaves, they were wilted, the peanut dressing was bland, and I don't think the greens were washed thoroughly, as I tasted grit while eating it. The sushi was the only redeeming quality of this restaurant, it's why there's 2 stars instead of one. I ordered the chef's special "mystery roll" and was blown away. It was creatively composed of a medley of ingredients that meshed perfectly together, super flavorful. I made sure to tip the sushi chef. I wouldn't recommend eating here if you're looking for an experience worth the amount of money you spend. They're pretty much straight to the point business unless you're spending an extravagant amount of money, and which everything is over-priced as it is.
(2)Dan M.
The sushi here is top notch! This is my third time being here. I do not understand all the negative reviews! It seems like a lot of the bad reviews came from people who think they really know Japanese cuisine. I was stationed in Japan for a few years and learned that what is authentic Japanese is very different from what most American "sushi bars" serve. It's similar to going to China and expecting General Tso's chicken and crab Rangoon. In an authentic Japanese restaurant you won't find California and Philly rolls or anything deep fried on the outside. If you want those , go to a Chinese buffet. I'm sure these are on the menu to please the Midwestern pallet. Here the sashimi and nigiri are the stars of the show. The sushi chef really is a master at the way he cuts each fish. The prices are high because you are paying for location and most importantly quality fish! I recommend the hamachi, super white tuna (escolar), and the salmon sashimi. If you don't truly know or understand a type of cuisine, please do us all a favor and don't review a restaurant on your own ignorance and get your Cali roll from a supermarket. One last thing: why does it have to be a Japanese guy making your sushi? Would you be upset if a Mexican prepared your cheeseburger?
(5)Jenny L.
Horrible service. Open tables and they weren't seating people. No sense of urgency from the staff. We finally left seeing that the situation was not improving as more people were filing in.
(1)Stacy Z.
Looks like people have mixed experiences here but we had a great time. They happily accommodated our large and slightly noisy group in the "special" room and told us up front that there was a minimum $300 bill requirement (not an issue since there were about 11 of us). The waitress was awesome and funny, and happily split up the checks as we were ordering (mostly single checks with a few doubles). The tabletop was close to floor level like a traditional Japanese table, but under the table the floor dropped down so that you could sit at the table American-style. All in all, a great setting. The food here was top notch, especially for sushi in a small Midwestern city (ie not Chicago). Everything we tried, from sushi, to appetizers, to main dishes was outstanding. Take their advice and try the mystery sushi- I still don't know what was in it but I don't care because it was delicious. Portions of everything were generous- appetizers, sushi, and the main dishes. Now I have to say, we were here for lunch about a year ago and were less impressed, but maybe they've made some good changes. All I know is that if the dinner we had is the norm we will definitely be back.
(4)Michael K.
I'm in town for a conference and this place looked pretty promising from the outside, given the cloying kitschiness of the surrounding tourist traps. I showed up at about 12:15 to a half full dining room on a Monday with four companions. The good: I had a pretty passable soba, and there were no real complaints from my companions regarding the food, which comprised udon, some sushi, and a lunch bento, none of which generated complaints. The price was reasonable for the quality of food. The dining room was clean and inviting, with a pleasing faux-Japanese decor, as we're the restrooms. The bad: Service was atrocious. We stood at the entrance near three minutes before approached for seating. Then, we got water, ordered drinks, received them, and got our water refilled before being approached by a waiter of any sort for a food order, about ten to fifteen minutes after seating. We then received our food about 25 minutes later, after numerous more water refills. Finally, we had but our third encounter with the waiter when he brought us the bill. A visual survey of the dining room revealed many other parties in the same situation. In all, I'd estimate our total time there at about 75 minutes. In a part of town seemingly devoid of anyone at lunchtime but attendees at the nearby convention center, this is unacceptable. It was far too long a sojourn for anyone with the standard 90 minutes for a conference lunch. Summary: if you absolutely have a craving for something East Asian, and you have a ton of time with which to gamble, go at your own risk. Otherwise, go somewhere else so you can make it back for the afternoon sessions.
(2)Nancy K.
Meh. Service was slow, sushi was okay. Nothing exceptional, and my order was wrong. Walked over for lunch. Restaurant was not busy (first clue). Simple order - avocado roll and Spider roll (soft shell crab). Received avocado roll and shrimp tempura roll (unless crabs now have tails instead of legs), though I paid for a Spider according to receipt. Was short on a time, so ate anyway. Flavor was fine. Pricey, all things considered. Will likely not go back. Lots of other good sushi options in town.
(2)Tyler C.
We had a reservation and still had a 45 minute wait. Then waited another 20 minutes for someone to take our drink order and another 45 to actually be served. When the food came out, all of our hot dishes were cold and our cold dishes were room temp. I will not be returning.
(1)Sherry C.
I've been to Mikado 3 times during my travels in Indy, and I gotta say, Mikado's fish quality is very impressive especially for a Japanese restaurant in the Mid West. I highly recommend their nigiri - ESCOLAR (super white tuna) was oily and melt-in-your-mouth smooth. UNI WITH QUAIL EGG was superb. I'm into strong-flavor fish so I enjoyed the MACKEREL as well. For hand rolls I'd recommend the SALMON SKIN HAND ROLL was packed with crispy salmon skins cut in thin pieces. Hot dishes: the IKA YAKI (squid) was very tender, and the soy-based sauce complimented the squid well. I'd recommend the LAMB LOINS as well. Very juicy and tender. All in all a pretty good dining experience at Mikado. They also have a pretty nice SAKE selection.
(5)Lyn C.
Would do zero stars if we could. We waited 25 minutes for an appetizer and no one came to check on us or refill our water during this time. When the appetizer arrived (it was cold), we cancelled our sushi order when we were told there were 4 more tickets in front of us. Slow service, rude waitstaff, bland high-priced food.
(1)Thaila K.
Considering that this place is miles away from "fresh" fish, I thoroughly enjoyed my meal here. Conveniently located in "town" you can walk here from several hotels in the area. I agree with other reviewers...the ambiance is fab. We took the adage "when in Rome..." so we asked the our server for some recommendations for both sushi and sake she picked several items...spicy tako (octopus), fuji mountain, tiger eye, etc....I can't remember them all but very delicious and flavorful (oishi katta desu!). Only been here once and during dinner...all the way from Hawaii which has tons of great sushi places since we're surrounded by water and able to get fresh fish in daily. Not sure how many sushi or seafood places Indianapolis has but if you love sushi or seafood definitely check this place out.
(4)Jon K.
Everything here has been wonderful. ambience, service, seating, cocktails, and Chris is hands down the best server I've ever had in my life.
(5)Sean C.
Great spot! Travel all over the states and this is too 10 sushi in the country. Fish is awesome and the staff is fantastic. Angus is unreal, love her. Go twice a year from out of state - it's like family. The rolls are great sashimi toro to salmon Wow...
(5)Colleen D.
Love it. Sushi is so fresh and they have some unique rolls on menu. Been here 3 times when in town. Service very good.
(5)J H.
I'd scoped out, in advance, this sushi restaurant so we could grab a quick bite to eat before the concert my daughter and friend were attending. It was pretty empty when we got there around 4:30 p.m. The dining area is nice- traditional looking Japanese decor w/ cushions- except that we didn't have to sit on the floor. There are a few more private rooms divided with shoji door/partitions. It was cute. We were seated at the window, which was nice on a beautiful spring day. But we had to move tables, as there were several gnats flying around. The food was decent, the service was a bit slow. But had the girls not been a little anxious to get in line for the concert, we may not have noticed. We thought the prices were a bit high, but I guess if you want sushi, you're willing to overlook it. Parking was relatively easy. Overall decent experience. I was impressed with the downtown Indianapolis area in general.
(3)Ashley M.
Ordered takeout from Mikado. The gentleman on the phone was very polite and helpful. I have food allergies (gluten) and he made sure t hat the items I ordered could be prepared gluten free. They even have gluten free soy sauce option which is not typical in a Japanese restaurant. We also received great service when we arrived to pick up our order.
(4)Lucy F.
Where do I even begin about Mikado's terrible service? We went to Mikado last night and sat at our table for at least half an hour before anyone approached us and got our drink order. Then it took about another half an hour or even more for our food orders to arrive. We were in the restaurant for almost 3 hours and we only interacted with our server for about 4 times. We noticed how she was only waiting on 3 other tables so I really don't understand how it took her forever to get to us. She did not even bother to look around just to check if anyone in her section needs anything. My husband had to get up himself to ask for soy sauce and chopsticks. We thought that the sushi here is average. Nothing special at all. The food here is definitely overpriced for what is is. The only thing that I probably liked about this place is the atmosphere and the décor. My husband and I were disappointed with Mikado and we will definitely not be back! Go to Ichiban instead - food there is so much better and reasonably priced!
(2)Amanda F.
The ambiance was about as good as it gets. I immediately felt like I had traveled to the other side of the world as we crossed the threshold. I loved the mix of old world, Japanese teak screen dividers with black, contemporary exposed duct work. The lighting was great and the layout gave the impression the restaurant wasn't packed when in fact it was very crowded. The food was great, but the prices were a little steep and our waiter wasn't around much. When he was he seemed like he had other places to be that were more important. I'm sure he was just busy but it took away from the overall experience. The sushi was nothing I couldn't get anywhere else so I'm not sure if I'll ever go back.
(3)Hunger E.
NOTORIETY: N/A FOOD: Bento box ($20.95 before tax): This box came w/ seaweed salad, miso soup, shrimp shumai, beef rolls, shrimp & veggie tempura, steamed rice, & sashimi. The seaweed salad was tasty but small. The miso soup was not too salty, but not unique either. The shumai had pretty good flavor to it but had a kinda plastic texture to it. The beef rolls was green onions wrapped w/ beef. It just didn't taste right to me. The green onion was too watery & bitter. The beef was decent, w/ a slightly sweet taste to it. The tempura was crispy but the onion tempura lacked flavor. The rice was nice & sticky & also came w/ some mashed potatoes w/ lil chunks=decent. The sashimi tasted ok. OVERALL: Overpriced, sub-par food is the best way I can describe Mikado. The sushi might be better, but I'm not gonna bother spending any more of my money here. RECOMMENDATION: None TIP: 1. Avoid the bento box=not tasty enough to warrant the price
(2)kristina S.
Way overpriced and the food is not delicious. Ordered lunch Bento box and didn't like it, probably one of the worst dishes I have had in my life. Didn't taste fresh, there was some beef roll, that you could chew for the next 15 minutes, Save your bucks for something else.
(1)Hazel W.
The Mikado needs to be updated. The food was good, the seaweed salad, green tea and loved the spicy tuna roll as well as several other pieces including the Salmon and Flying fish Roe. The waiter was distracted, he kept looking away as if he was expecting someone. After a little while we were able to engage him and have better service. I took my friend from NY who is a Sushi Lover and vegetarian, he like the food.
(3)Carrie C.
Fish tasted old, and food was expensive, given that it tasted so bad.
(1)Eric S.
The host was rude to me as I entered. Figuring their kitchen would mishandle the food the way the host mishandled his guests, we left briskly and went just down the street.
(1)Madeleine S.
I went back to Mikado for the first time in a few years with a friend last month. We are both sushi lovers and were looking forward to an enjoyable meal. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. We both had work to do after dinner, so had to stick with water. Our server rolled her eyes at this and acted very impatient--like she was doing us a favor. She was short with us, rushed our order and never once smiled--WORST service in a long time. The sushi--for the price--is not special. Far better sushi can be found elsewhere in Indy. The interior needs a facelift, as well. No wonder there were only a handful of other tables full at the height of the dinner hour. Very disappointed.
(2)Lisa R.
hmmm....nice looking place but some things made this awkward!! the maitre'd was cleaning the doors when I walked by - no open sign was on, I asked if they were open, walked in, no one said anything. every single person who came in after me, even staff, got "irrashaimase!!!" calls from at least 4 people. sat at the bar, got ignored by the 2 chefs in front of me, an Asian lady and a white guy (hmmm)... the waiter was a bit weird and formal, but he hooked me up with green iced tea...I ordered off the sushi menu and handed to the male chef - the prices here are ridiculous (i guess because it is indiana) but i got 5 pieces soft shell crab roll (actually very good, a tad spicy, with masago, kaiware sprouts, and nice light batter), saba nigiri (not fishy, salty or meaty at all but nice and delicate and oily - house cured), and a yellowtail handroll (was chopped, a bit under-stuffed). the kawaire sprouts were wilted and the ginger was kind of oldish too. I squeezed the lemon from my tea glass into the light soy in my dish to make a nice homemade ponzu. for this little meal, it cost me about $30 with tip. In Vegas I could get all-you-can-eat sushi and the tea and tip for the same cost, so this was tough to digest (haha bad joke) - food was pretty good, but since the chefs did not engage me at all and i was by myself at the bar, and the restaurant was sooo dang quiet, i was not greeted, and it took forever to get a refill, 3 stars.
(3)Lisa G.
I went to Mikado for sushi one night while traveling for business, and it was pretty dead. I was one of a handful of people there, so the atmosphere was kind of lacking, though the decor was nice. Service was fine. The food was fine. Nothing to write home about, though.
(3)JW S.
Unfriendly service. Ignored at sushi bar. Don't seem to care about customers. One waitress was overheard bitching about customer requests. Noodle and Tempura dishes are OK. Sushi chef OK. But lack of service and high price makes this a place we won't return to. NOT recommended.
(2)Brendan S.
Horrible food. Worse service. And the staff was rude. And the bathrooms were out of service so I wonder about the hygiene. They don't like constructive criticism. Please don't waste your time here unless you like to be abused by the waiters.
(1)Tim G.
Being used to very delicious Japanese food, it has become very difficult to find anything really delicious here in Indiana (I may even include the general eastern part of the United States here). I suppose I can't expect to find good Japanese food from anywhere except Japan, but I would hope there could be some comparable places. Being my first taste of Japanese food here, unfortunately, Mikado was not one of them. Like most places in Indiana, chefs seem to think that throwing teriyaki onto anything automatically makes it Japanese. You'll find a large selection of teriyaki infused dishes here, along with some not-so-great tasting sushi. I was pretty disappointed to say the least, and probably won't be coming back here. Especially for the price, I just expected so much more. At the very least, the staff seemed very helpful and attentive, but then again, being the only ones in the restaurant probably had something to do with that.
(2)Jackie S.
Great sushi, great service, nice atmosphere. A bit pricy.
(5)John W.
Eh, just average. Not bad but not great and apparently everyone else thinks so too. This was 8pm on a Friday and there was absolutely no wait at all and the place was probably only 30% full. It's a really big place but it just makes you wonder. We had a total of about 6 different Maki rolls but none of them were all that creative. Many Sushi places I have been to tend to get crazy with the sauces and the colorful flavorful additions to the main ingredients but there wasn't much of that here. I typically never use soy sauce but at Mikado you almost need it to keep it from being bland. I did like their eel rolls quite a bit. Everything came out quick and all at once so that was a plus.
(2)Kristine D.
Reliable. Not stellar but far from horrible. My waiter had an attitude a bit but I thought the food was decent enough.
(3)Brittney S.
Not only was the service terrible, but we had a cockroach on the sushi bar right next to us. And, then just when you think it can't get worse my $21 sashimi plate had a rubber band in it. For a lunch where we spend $80 I would expect this place to be way better than what we experienced. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. Maybe that's what we get for ordering sushi in the Midwest. California we're coming home!
(1)Amanda Z.
I have been spoiled living in Chicago with their plethora of BYOB sushi joints that when I actually have to pay the markup on liquor, I nearly have a heart attack. Seriously. Mikudo served its purpose: provide some raw food for myself and my six other fun-loving group members alongside some beer. So yay for that. Other that that, Mikudo tended to make me snooze. I had some miso soup, the uni-avocado roll, the spider roll and two pieces of super white tuna nigiri plus two Sapporos...nothing blew my mind, but the fish tasted relatively fresh. But I spent nearly $50 BEFORE tip. Insanity! So $14 of that was beer, but still...the prices were not cheap. $4 for a tiny bowl of miso soup? Come on, now. The company was great, the food wasn't bad, and I'd return if ever back in Indy. But it's not something that I will be craving anytime soon...
(3)anthony L.
I ate here late one night on a business trip. Unlike others I didn't mind the decor at all. It was clean, well lit, and Japanesey. The wait staff was great, we shot the shit about the world cup, and they gave me some great recommendations. The food was great! I had seaweed salad, green tea, spicy tuna roll, and salmon/yellowtail sashimi. Loved it all! the spicy tuna roll was one of the better ones I've had. The only down side was the bill! $50 for what I feel like is usually a $30-$35 dinner -- even at some nicer places in Boston (where I'm from). I'll be going back next time I'm in town.
(4)Andre d.
I was staying at a hotel just across the street and noticed the sign out front beckoning folks to order the Mystery Roll. I stepped in and took a seat at the sushi bar. I sat there for over ten minutes before anyone even noticed I was there. The host finally took a drink order and I filled out my sushi order and placed it on the counter. I ordered the mystery roll and an order of gyoza. I drank my beer for the next ten minutes when my waiter finally approached. I told him my order and he scampered off. The sushi chef served me the mystery roll. It was terrible. It was basically a deep-fried california roll. Something I would never order in a sushi bar, nut the menu said not to ask what it was and just order it. About ten minutes after I finished my mystery roll, the waiter came by with my order of gyoza. (I had hoped this would be my appetizer). These were the absolute worst dumplings I had ever had. They were gummy and flavorless. I then waited for the check which took at least another ten minutes to arrive. I am a generous tipper but not this time, folks. I couldn't justify a $30 tab for a beer, a roll and six poorly-made dumplings and some of the worst service I'd ever received. I did not tip and will not dine at this establishment ever again.
(1)Jodi S.
Excellent sashimi, service, and ambiance. I had salmon sashimi and it melted in my mouth.
(5)Mike B.
I've been here several times and keep waiting to be 'Wow'ed. I just haven't gotten that from this place. It is a solid 3 stars but it just hasn't been able to get any higher one my list. Service is good, food is good not great and I think because I haven't been overwhelmed by either the food or the service it remains 3 stars. Plus....Sushi in Indy? Maybe I'm expecting to much ;)
(3)Susan P.
Came here once during a convention for lunch, it was within walking distance. I was with my boyfriend. If I could describe this place in one word it would be: waiting. Waiting to get seated, waiting to have drink orders taken, waiting to have our food order taken, waiting for food, waiting for refills, waiting for the other part of my food order, no waiting on the bill though. 10-30 minute waits for each. The bar was full, the room we were in only had two other tables filled (we each had different servers too), the floor outside our room was only half full, it was not busy. So there was no excuse for the waiting. The host seemed annoyed and didn't welcome us to the restaurant. The sushi I had was meh for the price I paid. It looked like it had been thrown onto a plate and our server forgot part of my order. I had high hopes and was severely let down. Pretty sure I won't be going back.
(2)Tim B.
Mikado is our Thursday night dinner every 6 months when we are in Indy for a conference. The food is always good, sometimes excellent, but this time Mikado did not hit the mark. The fish was fresh and that is good for Sushi but everything else was just off. Maybe it was the service. We have never expected great service here. Usually slow and the servers generally have no personality but that night the service was terrible. The server argued with us about the food preparation, we had to chase him down and not a single meal came out with any of the others. 4 people, 4 meals delivered separately. I am so frustrated but will enjoy the search for a new thursday night place.
(2)Ben S.
Went here for dinner while on business and having a hankering for some sushi. My impression when walking in was pretty underwhelming. This place could use some redecorating, as the beige carpet is stained and looks like it has never been replaced, and the blackout on the lower parts of the windows is peeling. However, fears that all components of the restaurant would take their cues from the decor were assuaged by our wonderfully friendly and helpful server. My co-worker and I said we were from California and therefore had high expectations for our sushi. In response, our server told us that the salmon and escolar were both flown in that day. He described the escolar as "poor man's toro." That description held up when I tasted the light, delicate white fish nigri The salmon nigri was unbelievable without even the slightest whisp of fishiness. Really outstanding. For rolls, we selected the spicy squid--another rec from our server--spicy tuna and yellowtail. Despite the squid being chopped up, this spicy roll did not live up to the hype. The spicy squid was chewy and the mixture too mayonnaise-y. Also not meeting expectations was the yellowtail roll, which had very little fish. The spicy tuna roll, however, was nice. Overall, the service was the standout here, as well as their fresh salmon and escolar. Attentive without being suffocating, our server timed all our dishes nicely. I liked being able to finish our nigri before the rolls were brought out. I left fairly impressed by the sushi I found despite not being in a coast. 3-3.5 stars.
(3)R Y.
Came in for a sashimi bento box. Lunch price $20.95 Sashimi was good, but you never get enough. That was the best part of the box. The fish was fresh, cool, and not a hint of fishiness. Tempura....one shrimp, one carrot, and one onion ring. Decent Asparagus wrapped in beef (I think)...3 little pieces. way over salty due to soy sauce. Tasted wilted, maybe even microwaved. Sui mai...fried dumpling. Was delicious, but one the size of half my thumb A tablespoon of potato salad, and maybe 2 teaspoons of seaweed salad. Steamed rice and miso soup....can't ruin that. Overall, not bad, but not great for a lunch price. I was still hungry. A little overpriced for my appetite. Service was good.
(3)Nancy H.
I am shocked that this place has as many stars as it does and I want to set the record straight. Not sure who is rating this place but this place is worse than "mall Japanese food". Not only that, but it's expensive for the quality of food. My friends ordered the CHICKEN BREAST TERIYAKI for $17 and it came out CHARRED and practically inedible. It was extremely dry and when they asked for extra sauce to make it better, it didn't come for 20 minutes despite the fact that the restaurant was practically empty. I had the NABEYAKI UDON for $16 which was passable but pretty mediocre. Service was extremely slow. Place lacked authenticity. Grossly overpriced. Don't go here looking for real Japanese food or UNBURNED food, for that matter.
(1)Nate K.
I recently stopped at this little sushi spot in downtown Indy when I was there for a job interview. While the interview didn't pan out, the sushi was pretty darn good. Like other reviewers, when I walked into Mikado, I kind of questioned the decor (both on the outside and on the inside) - but the bar was open and the kid behind the sushi bar made me some pretty solid rolls. I also tried the beef roll and the Shrimp Udon - both were good. Best of all, the staff was friendly and were really excited by the upcoming Super Bowl (as the restaurant is only two blocks away from Lucas Oil Stadium). All in all, it was a pretty good lunch highlighted by the fact that i was able to expense it all.
(4)Devon T.
My group of four came to this restaurant during a convention in Indianapolis. Because of the con, most places we're busy, so we expected a bit of a wait to be seated. We did not, however, expect to wait almost half an hour after being seated before seeing a server. My party ordered sushi, I ordered a teriyaki dish - maybe my first mistake. I got my food about an hour into the experience. The teriyaki was a little dry and not very warm. I finished my food an hour in a half in, and the rest of my party had not received their food yet. I suspect they had held onto the teriyaki in hopes that the sushi order would catch up, but eventually realized that was not going to happen. Two hours in, the sushi order fully arrives. We asked to talk tothe manager. After which, the understandably frustrated waiter began to show his stress towards us. The manager apologized profusely, offered to remake a botched sushi order, and carefully explained that they got this rush every year during the convention and simply couldn't keep up with the rush. I understand they were busy, but this level of service was just not acceptable, especially for the cost of the food. Maybe if the place wasn't so busy...
(1)Web M.
Very nice. Good sushi, friendly service. I went in by myself and sat at the sushi bar about 5:30 on a Monday evening and there were about 4 people in there besides me.
(4)Kunal M.
We stopped in for dinner. The sushi was well prepared, and for the most part I enjoyed everything that we ordered. The service was a bit off, we ordered unfiltered sake, and they poured it without shaking so we had clear sake for a second. My "key roll" at any sushi place is the spicy tuna, and it wasn't that great. I would go again, but it's a pretty average sushi place overall.
(3)BD Traveler R.
We stopped by Mikado recently for dinner while passing through town. We shared a Sushi Chef's selection of assorted sushi, and an entree each. The food was all very good, although not exceptional. The portions were on the larger side, but neither that nor the food itself justified the high prices in my opinion (entrees were about $25 - $30 for each of us and I think the sushi platter was another $25 or so). I found the decor inside to be very well done, but the service was a little more "casual" than I would have liked. Our waiter didn't seem too keen on checking in on us, and should have been more attentive. Overall, we had a good meal, but I would have expected more for what they were charging.
(3)Cat M.
Within walking distance of Conseco Fieldhouse. Ate here last night before watching Glee live, very good sushi! Favorites were sun roll, mt. fuji roll, sumo roll, I am a salmon lover and while I don't remember the rolls exact ingredients, they did feature salmon. Fish was fresh, combos were tasty, and service was fast and friendly. We made it to our show in plenty of time. Prices were just right, not overly pricey at all. Definitely recommend. I am very surprised at negative reviews.
(4)Debbie S.
Our dinner at Mikado was pretty so-so this evening. I ate there about 3 and 5 years ago, and this dining experience was definitely not as good as it used to be. The rice was somewhat stiff, like the kind that you get when sushi has been on a sushi boat for a while. The pre-mixed fish things (like spicy tuna) looked like they been sitting in there for a while, and the wasabi was a little crusted over. The spicy tuna was not spicy. There were only 5 of us in the restaurant (we arrived at 6:30), which surprised me. Although there were 2 sushi chefs working, it was hard to get their attention as they were often back in the kitchen. On the upside, the waiter provided very good service and the mushroom appetizer was lovely.
(3)Indy W.
I've been to Mikado twice: once in late 2007 and then again just recently. It'll probably be the same amount of time until my next visit. Not that that's a bad thing. It's a quiet, well-maintained Japanese restaurant. Servers were pleasant and efficient each time. Food was nicely presented, drinks properly warmed, no surprises. Good or bad. Get my drift...?
(3)John M.
Visited earlier this week while in town for a training - needed some light and close to my hotel downtown. The woman who greeted me was friendly and the ambiance very nice. It was a Monday night so the place was pretty quiet, but it was actually perfect - a seat at the sushi bar, two rolls, an organic green salad, and a glass of Viognier. The spider roll was very good, one of the better ones I've had recently. The Colts game was on the TV at the bar so there were brief moments of elation from the staff, but I'm pretty laid back and it didn't bother me at all - it was actually pretty entertaining. Would be a good place for a date, as well as a group celebration.
(4)William K.
Wonderful food and wonderful service. Came with kids 8 and 10 years old and the staff took special care to make sure everyone got something they liked.
(5)Dav W.
The only place in Indy where I have been able to find Katsu Chicken Curry just like I would get from Coco Ichibanya in Japan. (It is not on the menu, but you can ask for it.) Staff is great and atmosphere is wonderful. Definitely my favorite Japanese restaurant in Indy.
(5)Alena B.
This place was really good. My coworkers and I hung out here before we headed home. I love Japanese food but this is a little more upscale and complicated than your normal Japanese fair. I wasn't blown away by anything in particular but I think they have consistently good food. Fun for groups! It was a bit pricey for what you get but we were on an expense report!
(3)Matt S.
After two visits to Mikado I think it is safe to say that this is a solid but not outstanding restaurant. The first time I ordered off of the dinner entre menu and had the very delicious Trio Salmon. Most recently, I had some miso soup and the sushi chef's special which featured a variety of sashimi and maki. It was all very good and fresh. The reason that I withheld another star is because the prices are a bit high and the service was just so-so.
(3)John R.
I first got here 5 years ago during gen-con and the place was great, however in the last few years something has happened, and I can not recommend it any more. The last time I found the food over priced for what we got, and when I go this summer I will not be going here again.
(1)Brian B.
Sat at the sushi bar for a quick lunch. Selection is lacking in special rolls and freshness. Expensive, too! If you're used to good sushi, you may be disappointed.
(2)Jennifer L.
One of the best places to get sushi in Indy. Friendly owner Yu Mei Lee also owns Castleton's Shanghai Lil Chinese restaurant. The thing the two venues have in common is their serious approach to Asian food. Mikado's interior is luxurious Japanese. Walls are high, tatami rooms are sizable, and the entire décor is done in elegant red and black hues. Burnished black vases and other expensive minimalist items add a look of lushness. On to the food--you'll find a mix of common sushi rolls, some house originals, and some Japanese fusion plates. My favorite is the Tiger Eye roll. This smoked salmon/ cream cheese/jalapeno roll is greater than the sum of its parts. Only these inner three ingredients are fried, then wrapped in soy paper and placed inside rice for an addicting sensation that's simultaneously creamy, crunchy and warm.
(4)Ryan H.
One of Indy's nicest and most well-known Japanese restaurants, Mikado has as much to offer in seating options as it does food choices. The food here is great, although it is rather expensive. However, the atmosphere is wonderful. They have several seating options that are either partially or completely private, so it's one of the best spots to take a date or significant other. In case it is busy, or if you're waiting for your party to arrive, the bar area is awesome for chillin' pre-meal. As with most good Japanese restaurants, I recommend ordering some sake with your meal. The servers can recommend a good one. Located right downtown, near the Circle-Center mall and Pan Am Plaza, there is limited street parking available, but several parking options nearby in garages and surface lots. Even better, take a cab downtown and enjoy a long night of downtown nightlife.
(4)allison s.
The sushi is of the highest quality here.. My favorite is the Sun Roll, I cannot begin to tell you of the amazing things rolled up in it, but it is covered in tempura and fried. It is sooo good!!! Everything is fresh and the service is wonderful! Happy Dining!
(5)Elizabeth H.
I was compelled to create a profile on Yelp and write this review based on my TERRIBLE experience here. My friend and I were in town last week for a convention and wanted sushi. Stopped in here early evening, ordered some rolls. The eel/ avocado tasted like the fish had gone bad. The spicy salmon also tasted odd. We chose not to finish our meals.... later that evening we were both stricken with what we believe was food poisoning. I was sick for more than 36 hours after eating here. I eat sushi regularly (about once a week), and have NEVER gotten sick from it. Same goes for my friend. I filed a complaint with the health department. I'd stay away if I were you...
(1)Megan C.
The restaurant is nice, but I wasn't impressed by the sushi. It was warm, in a bad, weird, shouldn't be warm way. The other food was good. I like the the spicy seafood soup and my bf had a bento box that was very tasty. I don't know if I would go back...I think there are better Japanese restaurants.
(3)Brittany L.
Despite the fact that everyone blatantly stared at my boyfriend and I when we traipsed in, I thought the ambiance was pretty nice. Dark, comfortable couch area near the bar, spacious, but yes, a bit contrived. Looking at the menu, I freaked out a bit because of the lack of vegetarian options, but actually our waitress was amazing and helped out a lot. Vegetable tempura - yummy, and a good variety, but there's only one of each vegetable, so that leaves something to fight over. My boyfriend complained that is seemed unfresh, but I'm a sucker for anything fried, so it was fine. I think we also got the tofu tempura, and that was pretty good...I have had better, and later, we learned that it has a fish based sauce so beware! ORDER THE ASPARAGUS TEMPURA SUSHI. it blew my mind and continues to do so. it's delicious. asparagus is my favorite vegetable, and it's rolled with an awesome mayonaise, plus it's warm on the inside. it's awesome.
(3)Steve C.
Maybe we're just lucky but every time we eat here we feel like we've had some of the best sushi anywhere in the US. We've not really ordered anything else so we can't speak to the rest of the menu. The martini's are also surprisingly good as well. We've gone to Indy several times for the F1 race (US Grand Prix) and each time Mikado has an unusually high number of the F1 drivers visiting for dinner so we must not be imagining things when it comes to the food. Admittedly we always find ourselves laughing at the fact that some of the best sushi we've ever had (quality, presentation, creativity) is right in the middle of America!
(5)Rah Rah C.
I would consider Mikado one of the better Japanese restaurants in the city. Besides good sushi they also feature classic American favorites such as steak and seafood and a full bar. Choose either to sit at the sushi bar, dining room, or watch the chefs work their skills at an open Teppanyaki grill for a memorable dining experience. I recently had lunch with some friends here. We were greeted and seated quickly. We ordered a plethora of different things starting with King Crab, Eel, Spicy Tuna, and Shrimp rolls. We ordered Seafood Tempura and about five of their specialty rolls. Most everything tasted fresh. The reason they don't get more stars is the fact that the dining room needs some serious dusting and renovation attention. The other reason is some of their menu items are grossly overpriced! Our server was sweet, knowledgeable, and attentive. I would go here again when visiting downtown Indy.
(3)Crystal W.
had a lovely meal here. No problems getting seated. The tempura was perfect. The goya was the best I've had. The wrapping was so delicate and lovely I almost (*almost*) didn't want to eat them. Worth a try, I'd say.
(4)Jen C.
I've been here once and had a flawless experience. Fair prices, delicious rolls, an inventive drink menu, spot-on service and a nice atmosphere. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Jason K.
What garbage. First the owners are Chinese, the sushi chef is Korean and worst of all food is None of the above. Sushi is low class, food is plain at best, service is decent(hence the 2 stars). It is over rated and over priced. Atmosphere and location are nice though.
(2)