AH!! This place was the bomb!! You wouldn't expect good quality sushi in a small strip mall time place. Also based on the other reviews, I was very cautious. This is authentic. They start you off with fresh hot green tea. The type they serve in the Far East with the tea floating in the mug. I was with some business associates and we started out with the large shrimp dumplings, then seafood tempura, Miso soup and some varieties of sushi. Definitely try the Godzilla. The service was great. Prices are reasonable as well. If you are looking for alcohol, they only have beer, wine and sake. For me, the green tea was good enough. It is bright and much like a Jersey diner, but don't let that fool you.
(5)
Alex P.
Look, I feel really bad writing this because the wait staff was so nice and they were open late when the three restaurants I tried before them weren't, but it has to be said. That was some of the worst sushi I've ever had. It makes you really appreciate how good other places are when you try something like this. But despite that newfound appreciation, I wish I saved money and skipped dinner and didn't sit there feeling obligated to finish these terrible rolls. If it saves one person from going there, I think writing this is probably worth it.
(2)
Vlad T.
As Amber L. smartly pointed in her review - every sushi place in West Michigan is run by Koreans or Chinese. So I smile when I hear "they sing me a happy BD in Japanese :) Sadly very few places actually offer Korean food. Which is great, and deserves a dedicated restaurant, not just dish here and there at the bottom of sushi menu. I did talk about it with Mikado owner, but was told that Korean food won't sell in GR. Strange. It does sell in Detroit... That said, Mikado sushi - is as good as it gets in Grand Rapids. The fish is always fresh, the rice is tasty, and the chef's are skillful. So sushi is consistently good. Service is okay, and the decor is just average. I never pay attention to the decor in sushi restaurant, as it has no relation to quality of food. I've eaten best asian cousine in authentic places that had no decor at all. People who put other sushi places in GR above Mikado are probably reacting to the decor. Not quality of food. I stop at places like Ju sometimes, because friends demand it. But seriously, what they do there is very far from real Japanese food. Just a lot of fancy stuff to fool people who don't know what sushi is.
(4)
j h.
so don't usually write reviews--unless it is a really exceptional great or terrible experience....so here it goes.. ..been several years since we had been here and it was pretty good in the past...visiting our daughter. so we went for dinner here on wed 10/22 sushi was fair at best (actually poor), not really fresh...and expensive given both quantity and quality and that was the BEST part of our experience service was even worse than horrible...place was hardly busy...had to ask twice for a glass of water...needed a fork to cut/eat the goyza..that took multiple requests...actually had to track someone down to get one... wait time was forever...even though the "staff" was in main room just talking.,,,they really seem not to care ...really, really poor in all ways....what a waste of (almost) $100
(1)
Charles T.
Stumbled on this amazing restaurant while passing through Grand Rapids. Amazing sushi and Japanese dishes delighted me, my wife and our kids. Very family friendly!
(4)
Jack K.
I Love the Lunch Box/Sushi Lunch here! Always so Fresh and so Fast! They know how to take care of their customers when it comes to rush hour times! Lunch time is very busy so make sure you go in as soon as possible and get a sit! Even during the cold days the Fresh Ice Green Tea~~~ always great! As well as the Hot Green Tea! :) Love the Rollllls here! Make sure you get the Monster Rolls! (Pink, Green or Yellow)! On the spicy side i love to eat the Vegas Roll~ mmmm and for a joyful taste would be the Playboy Roll!! Can't wait to go back to try some more!
(5)
Jim B.
Here's a tip: Never order chicken at a sushi joint. We're in GR for a sports tournament and the team was together eating the same food all day (hotel breakfast, team meal). We go to this restaurant last night and all get sushi, miso, 4 appetizers to share, etc. My youngest daughter orders chicken teriyaki and shares it with my middle daughter. They've been up all night projectile vomiting. They're the only two out of the whole group sick and the only two that ate chicken. This hotel room smells like death. Draw your own conclusions. Thank God for late checkouts.
(1)
Cassandra N.
Mikado was OK. It's my daughter's favorite, but I prefer Ju. (Ju is much tastier and has better ambience.) We ordered four rolls between us and they were OK, but nothing spectacular. My daughter liked that they bring you a warm towel to wash your hands after they seat you...and she's a rice-snob and says their rice was great.
(3)
Amber L.
As far as GR, you sadly can't get much better than this. Every Asian restaurant in west Michigan is run by Koreans, but do you ever find flavorful, spicy Korean food? No. They always serve a mix of Japanese and Chinese themed food that they think Americans will like. And usually it's greasy and watered down. The sushi here is nothing special, but again, it's probably the best place in GR you can go for it. The other food here is bland. The salad was almost frozen and kind of gross.
(2)
kurt F.
Best sushi in gr Vegas roll is spicy and the tomatoes add a great twist. Their Thai/snapper is the best I have had.
(5)
Shaun H.
Please do not let Shay S's review scare you away from this great place. The food at the restaurant is great, and the sushi is also great. They have other menu items if you do not like sushi. They have a variety of teriyaki and tempura, along with udon, and other menu choices. They do have specialty rolls. Upon entering the restaurant you will immediately be greeted by the sushi chefs, and will be seated at a table by a friendly member of the serving staff. The restaurant does not have a horrid fish smell. You will be brought a warm towel to wipe you hands with, it is very pleasant. The tea is delicious and very fresh tasting. They give you pickled onion and pickled radish (not to be confused with the pickled ginger that is served with the sushi) when you come in also, both of which are tasty and not yuck. It really sounds to me like Shay S. has some vendetta against Mikados. Nothing of what she said in her review is accurate, you can tell by looking at all of the other reviews of Mikados. After all she claims to hate and not eat strip mall sushi, yet her favorite sushi in Grand Rapids is Sushi Kuni, which is also in a strip mall. If you want to go to a good sushi restaurant that is reasonably priced, with a friendly staff, try Mikados. You decide for yourself the accuracy of Shay S's review.
(5)
Sean C.
Best sushi in Grand Rapids!! Love this place. Small but fantastic sushi. Try the big shrimp rolls .. and quail eggs!! Love them
(5)
El P.
I've been coming here for years mostly during lunch and I've haven't been disappointed yet. The fish seems fresh the rice has a good texture and flavor. The lunchtime specials are solid and you can upgrade your veggie rolls to a different role for a surcharge, well worth it. The staff is very friendly the restaurant is really clean.
(4)
Jori S.
Good food & friendly, attentive service. Good lunch specials (typically 2 sushi rolls or a bento box with a few pieces of sushi, veggies tempura, salad, a protein, etc.). Spicy scallop roll is my favorite! I do feel that in comparison with other sushi joints in town, their rolls are on the (too) small side. If I get 2 sushi rolls, I still feel a little hungry, whereas normally 2 rolls fill me up. Also, the restaurant atmosphere could use a little sprucing up. Regardless, the food always tastes light, fresh and delicious, and one always gets bottomless green tea and tasty pickled onion/beet/root dishes as a small pre-meal snack. Definitely a good place to stop if you're shopping around on 28th street and have a sushi craving.
(3)
Won B.
Very tasty sushi and udon noodles!
(4)
Kayla S.
Maybe I just had a bad first experience, but I've been here once before for sushi and it was terrible! The sushi was overpriced, had hardly any flavor and we did not get much at all! We order an appetizer of friend shrimp and got 6 pieces for $8. Also the service was horrible. I think our server said a total of four words to us the whole time never checked back after we got our food and we had to ask another server for our check while our server was chatting with some coworkers. Plus it wasn't even busy, maybe 2 or 3 other tables in the whole restaurant. Probably won't try again but hopefully other people have better experiences here.
(1)
Marc L.
I'm reviewing my long time (as in 15 years plus) local sushi bar for the first time. Mikado is close to my office and so there are weeks when I'm in there 2-3 times either by myself or with a client. I give Mikado high marks because it executes very well on what it wants to be: a true sushi bar and not a fancy overly-Americanized sushi joint that looks like a dance club with all kinds of non-traditional ingredients that don't belong in sushi. You know what I mean... You've been to places that look very hip and when you look at the menu you think "they put what in that roll?" Mikado is not like that. It is similar to what I expect from a more traditional sushi bar when I visit NYC or maybe something closer to the West Coast: competent sushi served quickly and no surprises. Typical understated ambience/atmosphere. In my 15 years dining there I've never had any issues with food quality, and the menu is diverse with lots of options for sushi aficionados and even those who are terrified of it can find chicken teriyaki or tempura which seems to appeal to non-sushi lovers. Mikado does serve sake and some alcoholic beverages but no full bar. Great lunch specials reasonably priced and when I'm pressed for time I'm able to get in and out of there often in under 15 minutes. At Times service can be sluggish or seem disorganized? but in recent years that seems to have improved. Overall Mikado is a solid choice for a traditional sushi bar experience and I would recommend it.
(3)
Jay A.
I had tempura ramen for dinner and it was pretty good! Staffs were really nice and helpful. I couldn't finish the bowl since it was huge. Hot towel to clean my hands was a nice touch. And free green tea was good too! I have to try their sushi next time!
(4)
Adriant T.
Love this place, service was great and they had my favorite soup. Nabeyaki Udon!!! I highly recommend this place for Japanese cuisine.
(5)
Corey H.
Day one of our road trip to San Diego... stop 1. On our way to San Diego, Sarah and I are stopping into between 12 and 15 cities to break up the drive. We're stopping through to see my Grandma, and a bunch of other spots to hit up crazy museums, see friends, and check out any roadside oddities that look cool. BUT... before we leave Grand Rapids, we have to stop at one very last spot... the last taste we'll have in our mouths of GR for some time. So where do we go? First, you have to know it was down to Little Bangkok and Mikado... a showdown of two spots close to home, full of flavor, taste, and great food action! We chose Mikado. Kimchi Roll, Spicy Salmon Roll, and the Spicy California Roll... and to start, Miso Soup. YUMMMMM!! Tip: GET THE KIMCHI ROLL!
(4)
lauren w.
I was in GR for work all day once and i was craving Sushi bad. I looked this place up on yelp and took the 12 minutes to drive there hoping for the best. There were some reviews that i read about how bland the sushi was but i have to say I disagree. I ordered the lunch box which had 6 different types of sashimi and 6 cucumber rolls. Everything tasted great! One thing that the sushi chef did there that i had not seen before is he puts a dollop of wasabi under each piece of fish. I wasn't expecting it and was quite shocked at first. Wasabi is not for the faint of heart! I actually ended up enjoying it after the second piece. For $8, this place cant be beat for good sushi at lunch.
(4)
Dee B.
The $9.95 lunch box special still can't be beat. On my most recent visit it contained chicken teriyaki (huge portion!) and cucumber rolls in addition to the veggie tempura and rice.
(4)
Drew H.
Good service and food, the waiter was patient with some non sushi eating guests. overall great fish and fresh.
(4)
Lara P.
One of the best in GR! Love the owners and staff. Great lunch deals and nothing better than sitting at the sushi bar at lunch and chatting it up with the locals. Great tempura and sushi/sashimi. Excellent sake choices. The only downside would be the TVs. Atmosphere very spartan, but once you are enjoying the food and drink, the TVs fade away.
(5)
daniel p.
This place was a cute little hole in the wall sushi joint. I actually worked here for little while. Love their monster rolls. Do not know if they still make it but if so try them out. They were pretty good. Also, this is one of the only places i know that does a Boston Roll, and Kimchee Roll. Those were my favorite rolls. Ask if they have those, then get it.
(4)
Shay S.
GROSSEST PLACE EVER My boyfriend and I have been going on sushi dates every Saturday for a year now and have had some of the best sushi in the country. We've also chowed down on super market sushi so we have a pretty good knowledge of what to look for in a restaurant/sushi. I have a thing about not eating strip mall sushi... I mean, it doesn't even sound appetizing! So I thought I'd go in and at least try for the hell of it... He saw I looked upset when we pulled into the strip mall and suggested we try somewhere else. I laughed as we walked to the door and joked "AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T SMELL, WERE GOOD!". Spoke too soon. Walked in and immediately wondered if we had walked into the back where they keep the rotten trash. HORRID FISH SMELL COVER UP BY BAD CLEANING SOLUTION!!! My boyfriend didn't say anything at first so I thought I was just being over sensitive to the smell. The waiter immediately brought green tea and pickled yuck to our table. That too smelled. The green tea had mashed up leaves still in it (something I'm not used to as an avid fresh green tea drinker). The sushi menu was short, and had no specialty rolls. It was pretty bad. My boyfriend looked at me with disgust as the smell got to him too and we decided to get up and leave. Luckily, the day was salvaged by going back to a GR favorite of ours SUSHI KUNI!
(1)
Sherry K.
A nice little place in Grand Rapids especially for original Japanese food. The selections are fairly wide and the sushi are excellently prepared with freshness. They also have some innovative sushi rolls. The price are average for Japanese food. Hot towel was a nice touch. Staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Grand Rapids still lacks true Japanese restaurants- the shabu shabu, saba, ramen, tonkatu. But this place offers decent sushi and hot food items.
(4)
Teddy B.
Awesome bentos for lunch. Fresh and fast service with decent prices! Sucks they close at 3-4 though.
(4)
Mick Y.
I love this place. Great value and exceptional sushi.
(5)
Sherry L.
I am originally from Taiwan and I have been to Japan several times. I would say I know sea food and sushi pretty well. For the price you pay at Mikado, you could get way better food and service else where. The food is mediocre. They don't really have anything special. The place is definitely understaffed. I had to ask two times for a tea refill only to get it by the time I am about to leave. The staff is friendly but they are really slow. They never checked back to see if we needed anything else. You basically waste a lot of time waiting. I would go to Kuni Sushi instead if I am looking for a sushi place in GR.
(2)
Nate B.
Very good sushi, I wish I could come back here more often!
(4)
Cindy J.
Great staff -- very friendly and always smiling. The service is usually quick and efficient. The strip mall location is a little cheesy, and the decor is just average (although quite comfortable), but don't let that keep you away or you'll miss an enjoyable experience. The prices are reasonable as well, and there are televisions where you can watch sports, etc. so you won't have to miss a game to get a good meal. Closed on Sundays unfortunately. Busy for lunch -- good lunch specials weekdays.
(4)
Tom M.
Nice friendly sushi place!
(4)
Mark C.
I travel quite a bit for business...all over the world....and one of my caveats when visiting a city is to have sushi as recommended by a local. I can honestly tell you that the quality of the sushi at Mikado is one of the best I have ever had. Sure, you won't be able to get the variety you might have from a restaurant located in a coastal city, but they do fly in toro every once and a while. The sushi is prepared perfectly...sized perfectly...and the staff is one of the friendliest and knowledgable around (if you speak Japanese). The best time for sushi at Mikado is Tue-Fri at lunch. Simply sit down and order the "lunch box special"...price is always under $10. For that you get some miso soup, white rice, hot dish (varies by day...but my favorite is the teriyaki salmon), six pc. sushi (varies, but usually a spicy asparagus, cucumber or California roll) and a nice serving of tempura vegetables. Slide up to the sushi bar and enjoy Tony's incredible ability to create the finest sushi for 1,000 miles around...and it's in Grand Rapids!!
(5)
Javier C.
The fish was very fresh but the pieces were very small.
(3)
Chris M.
Very good sushi and great tempura. Yellow and Green monster rolls are our faves. Teryaki isn't so hot. Agree with other reviewers on the bento lunch boxes. A real value.
(3)
Mick C.
Very pleased with the sushi here. Innovative menu with delightfully fresh sushi, hefty portions of tempura, and an attentive staff. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Leo I.
This is a decent place for middle-of-the-road sushi. In addition to seaweed they use soy paper for rolls which is quite colorful. The overall experience is positive, especially on a quiet evening when the staff behind the bar can be quite chatty. It's a bit pricey considering the location and the quality of the fish.
(3)
Monroe D.
Without question the best sushi in Grand Rapids. Ask your server for sushi recommendations that are off the menu if you want something different (try the monster rolls). Their extensive menu has many selections for non-sushi lovers too.
(5)
Nabeel Q.
Just finished my sashimi meal, I ordered moriawase for one (16 pieces of sashimi), with extra unagi and hamachi. Pros: -Large pieces of sashimi, for the most part. The fluke was small, but that's okay. Tuna and salmon were very big. -Most of the fish was very fresh. -Service was excellent -Miso soup was very good -Started the experience with a hot towel and free green tea, excellent touch! Cons: -The octopus was very "fishy", should not have been served. -it was rather expensive, over $30 before drinks -salad was a bunch of iceberg lettuce with dressing Overall, great place with some minor flaws. If all the fish had been fresh, I'd give 5 stars. That's my suggestion for them.
(4)
Megan L.
Went for a late lunch today and had three sushi rolls and a salad. The salad was just iceberg lettuce with dressing. Our three rolls were of fair quality. All the fish was "fishy" tasting, unlike fresher fish i've had. The eel sauce was very salty without much depth. The service was fast and friendly, but we were the only table at the time. The dining room smelled funny to me. The prices were higher here than other sushi restaurants in the area with (in my opinion) better quality food.
(2)
Dean G.
I eat here at least a couple times a week for lunch! Sushi lunch special is awesome and the staff is extremely friendly!
(5)
Benji B.
Mikado seems to be the one place in Grand Rapids everybody knows, so they think it's the best. It's better than some in Grand Rapids, but that's not really saying anything. The sushi isn't anything special, and it's so simple, bland and thin that I really consider it subpar.
(2)
Susan B.
Korean's running a sushi restaurant, but best in GR. Explore the appetizer menu - dumplings, tofu, etc. We rotate every time we go. TVs in dining room a bit annoying, but kids ok. Lots of other food choices too beyond sushi.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
David H.
AH!! This place was the bomb!! You wouldn't expect good quality sushi in a small strip mall time place. Also based on the other reviews, I was very cautious. This is authentic. They start you off with fresh hot green tea. The type they serve in the Far East with the tea floating in the mug. I was with some business associates and we started out with the large shrimp dumplings, then seafood tempura, Miso soup and some varieties of sushi. Definitely try the Godzilla. The service was great. Prices are reasonable as well. If you are looking for alcohol, they only have beer, wine and sake. For me, the green tea was good enough. It is bright and much like a Jersey diner, but don't let that fool you.
(5)Alex P.
Look, I feel really bad writing this because the wait staff was so nice and they were open late when the three restaurants I tried before them weren't, but it has to be said. That was some of the worst sushi I've ever had. It makes you really appreciate how good other places are when you try something like this. But despite that newfound appreciation, I wish I saved money and skipped dinner and didn't sit there feeling obligated to finish these terrible rolls. If it saves one person from going there, I think writing this is probably worth it.
(2)Vlad T.
As Amber L. smartly pointed in her review - every sushi place in West Michigan is run by Koreans or Chinese. So I smile when I hear "they sing me a happy BD in Japanese :) Sadly very few places actually offer Korean food. Which is great, and deserves a dedicated restaurant, not just dish here and there at the bottom of sushi menu. I did talk about it with Mikado owner, but was told that Korean food won't sell in GR. Strange. It does sell in Detroit... That said, Mikado sushi - is as good as it gets in Grand Rapids. The fish is always fresh, the rice is tasty, and the chef's are skillful. So sushi is consistently good. Service is okay, and the decor is just average. I never pay attention to the decor in sushi restaurant, as it has no relation to quality of food. I've eaten best asian cousine in authentic places that had no decor at all. People who put other sushi places in GR above Mikado are probably reacting to the decor. Not quality of food. I stop at places like Ju sometimes, because friends demand it. But seriously, what they do there is very far from real Japanese food. Just a lot of fancy stuff to fool people who don't know what sushi is.
(4)j h.
so don't usually write reviews--unless it is a really exceptional great or terrible experience....so here it goes.. ..been several years since we had been here and it was pretty good in the past...visiting our daughter. so we went for dinner here on wed 10/22 sushi was fair at best (actually poor), not really fresh...and expensive given both quantity and quality and that was the BEST part of our experience service was even worse than horrible...place was hardly busy...had to ask twice for a glass of water...needed a fork to cut/eat the goyza..that took multiple requests...actually had to track someone down to get one... wait time was forever...even though the "staff" was in main room just talking.,,,they really seem not to care ...really, really poor in all ways....what a waste of (almost) $100
(1)Charles T.
Stumbled on this amazing restaurant while passing through Grand Rapids. Amazing sushi and Japanese dishes delighted me, my wife and our kids. Very family friendly!
(4)Jack K.
I Love the Lunch Box/Sushi Lunch here! Always so Fresh and so Fast! They know how to take care of their customers when it comes to rush hour times! Lunch time is very busy so make sure you go in as soon as possible and get a sit! Even during the cold days the Fresh Ice Green Tea~~~ always great! As well as the Hot Green Tea! :) Love the Rollllls here! Make sure you get the Monster Rolls! (Pink, Green or Yellow)! On the spicy side i love to eat the Vegas Roll~ mmmm and for a joyful taste would be the Playboy Roll!! Can't wait to go back to try some more!
(5)Jim B.
Here's a tip: Never order chicken at a sushi joint. We're in GR for a sports tournament and the team was together eating the same food all day (hotel breakfast, team meal). We go to this restaurant last night and all get sushi, miso, 4 appetizers to share, etc. My youngest daughter orders chicken teriyaki and shares it with my middle daughter. They've been up all night projectile vomiting. They're the only two out of the whole group sick and the only two that ate chicken. This hotel room smells like death. Draw your own conclusions. Thank God for late checkouts.
(1)Cassandra N.
Mikado was OK. It's my daughter's favorite, but I prefer Ju. (Ju is much tastier and has better ambience.) We ordered four rolls between us and they were OK, but nothing spectacular. My daughter liked that they bring you a warm towel to wash your hands after they seat you...and she's a rice-snob and says their rice was great.
(3)Amber L.
As far as GR, you sadly can't get much better than this. Every Asian restaurant in west Michigan is run by Koreans, but do you ever find flavorful, spicy Korean food? No. They always serve a mix of Japanese and Chinese themed food that they think Americans will like. And usually it's greasy and watered down. The sushi here is nothing special, but again, it's probably the best place in GR you can go for it. The other food here is bland. The salad was almost frozen and kind of gross.
(2)kurt F.
Best sushi in gr Vegas roll is spicy and the tomatoes add a great twist. Their Thai/snapper is the best I have had.
(5)Shaun H.
Please do not let Shay S's review scare you away from this great place. The food at the restaurant is great, and the sushi is also great. They have other menu items if you do not like sushi. They have a variety of teriyaki and tempura, along with udon, and other menu choices. They do have specialty rolls. Upon entering the restaurant you will immediately be greeted by the sushi chefs, and will be seated at a table by a friendly member of the serving staff. The restaurant does not have a horrid fish smell. You will be brought a warm towel to wipe you hands with, it is very pleasant. The tea is delicious and very fresh tasting. They give you pickled onion and pickled radish (not to be confused with the pickled ginger that is served with the sushi) when you come in also, both of which are tasty and not yuck. It really sounds to me like Shay S. has some vendetta against Mikados. Nothing of what she said in her review is accurate, you can tell by looking at all of the other reviews of Mikados. After all she claims to hate and not eat strip mall sushi, yet her favorite sushi in Grand Rapids is Sushi Kuni, which is also in a strip mall. If you want to go to a good sushi restaurant that is reasonably priced, with a friendly staff, try Mikados. You decide for yourself the accuracy of Shay S's review.
(5)Sean C.
Best sushi in Grand Rapids!! Love this place. Small but fantastic sushi. Try the big shrimp rolls .. and quail eggs!! Love them
(5)El P.
I've been coming here for years mostly during lunch and I've haven't been disappointed yet. The fish seems fresh the rice has a good texture and flavor. The lunchtime specials are solid and you can upgrade your veggie rolls to a different role for a surcharge, well worth it. The staff is very friendly the restaurant is really clean.
(4)Jori S.
Good food & friendly, attentive service. Good lunch specials (typically 2 sushi rolls or a bento box with a few pieces of sushi, veggies tempura, salad, a protein, etc.). Spicy scallop roll is my favorite! I do feel that in comparison with other sushi joints in town, their rolls are on the (too) small side. If I get 2 sushi rolls, I still feel a little hungry, whereas normally 2 rolls fill me up. Also, the restaurant atmosphere could use a little sprucing up. Regardless, the food always tastes light, fresh and delicious, and one always gets bottomless green tea and tasty pickled onion/beet/root dishes as a small pre-meal snack. Definitely a good place to stop if you're shopping around on 28th street and have a sushi craving.
(3)Won B.
Very tasty sushi and udon noodles!
(4)Kayla S.
Maybe I just had a bad first experience, but I've been here once before for sushi and it was terrible! The sushi was overpriced, had hardly any flavor and we did not get much at all! We order an appetizer of friend shrimp and got 6 pieces for $8. Also the service was horrible. I think our server said a total of four words to us the whole time never checked back after we got our food and we had to ask another server for our check while our server was chatting with some coworkers. Plus it wasn't even busy, maybe 2 or 3 other tables in the whole restaurant. Probably won't try again but hopefully other people have better experiences here.
(1)Marc L.
I'm reviewing my long time (as in 15 years plus) local sushi bar for the first time. Mikado is close to my office and so there are weeks when I'm in there 2-3 times either by myself or with a client. I give Mikado high marks because it executes very well on what it wants to be: a true sushi bar and not a fancy overly-Americanized sushi joint that looks like a dance club with all kinds of non-traditional ingredients that don't belong in sushi. You know what I mean... You've been to places that look very hip and when you look at the menu you think "they put what in that roll?" Mikado is not like that. It is similar to what I expect from a more traditional sushi bar when I visit NYC or maybe something closer to the West Coast: competent sushi served quickly and no surprises. Typical understated ambience/atmosphere. In my 15 years dining there I've never had any issues with food quality, and the menu is diverse with lots of options for sushi aficionados and even those who are terrified of it can find chicken teriyaki or tempura which seems to appeal to non-sushi lovers. Mikado does serve sake and some alcoholic beverages but no full bar. Great lunch specials reasonably priced and when I'm pressed for time I'm able to get in and out of there often in under 15 minutes. At Times service can be sluggish or seem disorganized? but in recent years that seems to have improved. Overall Mikado is a solid choice for a traditional sushi bar experience and I would recommend it.
(3)Jay A.
I had tempura ramen for dinner and it was pretty good! Staffs were really nice and helpful. I couldn't finish the bowl since it was huge. Hot towel to clean my hands was a nice touch. And free green tea was good too! I have to try their sushi next time!
(4)Adriant T.
Love this place, service was great and they had my favorite soup. Nabeyaki Udon!!! I highly recommend this place for Japanese cuisine.
(5)Corey H.
Day one of our road trip to San Diego... stop 1. On our way to San Diego, Sarah and I are stopping into between 12 and 15 cities to break up the drive. We're stopping through to see my Grandma, and a bunch of other spots to hit up crazy museums, see friends, and check out any roadside oddities that look cool. BUT... before we leave Grand Rapids, we have to stop at one very last spot... the last taste we'll have in our mouths of GR for some time. So where do we go? First, you have to know it was down to Little Bangkok and Mikado... a showdown of two spots close to home, full of flavor, taste, and great food action! We chose Mikado. Kimchi Roll, Spicy Salmon Roll, and the Spicy California Roll... and to start, Miso Soup. YUMMMMM!! Tip: GET THE KIMCHI ROLL!
(4)lauren w.
I was in GR for work all day once and i was craving Sushi bad. I looked this place up on yelp and took the 12 minutes to drive there hoping for the best. There were some reviews that i read about how bland the sushi was but i have to say I disagree. I ordered the lunch box which had 6 different types of sashimi and 6 cucumber rolls. Everything tasted great! One thing that the sushi chef did there that i had not seen before is he puts a dollop of wasabi under each piece of fish. I wasn't expecting it and was quite shocked at first. Wasabi is not for the faint of heart! I actually ended up enjoying it after the second piece. For $8, this place cant be beat for good sushi at lunch.
(4)Dee B.
The $9.95 lunch box special still can't be beat. On my most recent visit it contained chicken teriyaki (huge portion!) and cucumber rolls in addition to the veggie tempura and rice.
(4)Drew H.
Good service and food, the waiter was patient with some non sushi eating guests. overall great fish and fresh.
(4)Lara P.
One of the best in GR! Love the owners and staff. Great lunch deals and nothing better than sitting at the sushi bar at lunch and chatting it up with the locals. Great tempura and sushi/sashimi. Excellent sake choices. The only downside would be the TVs. Atmosphere very spartan, but once you are enjoying the food and drink, the TVs fade away.
(5)daniel p.
This place was a cute little hole in the wall sushi joint. I actually worked here for little while. Love their monster rolls. Do not know if they still make it but if so try them out. They were pretty good. Also, this is one of the only places i know that does a Boston Roll, and Kimchee Roll. Those were my favorite rolls. Ask if they have those, then get it.
(4)Shay S.
GROSSEST PLACE EVER My boyfriend and I have been going on sushi dates every Saturday for a year now and have had some of the best sushi in the country. We've also chowed down on super market sushi so we have a pretty good knowledge of what to look for in a restaurant/sushi. I have a thing about not eating strip mall sushi... I mean, it doesn't even sound appetizing! So I thought I'd go in and at least try for the hell of it... He saw I looked upset when we pulled into the strip mall and suggested we try somewhere else. I laughed as we walked to the door and joked "AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T SMELL, WERE GOOD!". Spoke too soon. Walked in and immediately wondered if we had walked into the back where they keep the rotten trash. HORRID FISH SMELL COVER UP BY BAD CLEANING SOLUTION!!! My boyfriend didn't say anything at first so I thought I was just being over sensitive to the smell. The waiter immediately brought green tea and pickled yuck to our table. That too smelled. The green tea had mashed up leaves still in it (something I'm not used to as an avid fresh green tea drinker). The sushi menu was short, and had no specialty rolls. It was pretty bad. My boyfriend looked at me with disgust as the smell got to him too and we decided to get up and leave. Luckily, the day was salvaged by going back to a GR favorite of ours SUSHI KUNI!
(1)Sherry K.
A nice little place in Grand Rapids especially for original Japanese food. The selections are fairly wide and the sushi are excellently prepared with freshness. They also have some innovative sushi rolls. The price are average for Japanese food. Hot towel was a nice touch. Staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Grand Rapids still lacks true Japanese restaurants- the shabu shabu, saba, ramen, tonkatu. But this place offers decent sushi and hot food items.
(4)Teddy B.
Awesome bentos for lunch. Fresh and fast service with decent prices! Sucks they close at 3-4 though.
(4)Mick Y.
I love this place. Great value and exceptional sushi.
(5)Sherry L.
I am originally from Taiwan and I have been to Japan several times. I would say I know sea food and sushi pretty well. For the price you pay at Mikado, you could get way better food and service else where. The food is mediocre. They don't really have anything special. The place is definitely understaffed. I had to ask two times for a tea refill only to get it by the time I am about to leave. The staff is friendly but they are really slow. They never checked back to see if we needed anything else. You basically waste a lot of time waiting. I would go to Kuni Sushi instead if I am looking for a sushi place in GR.
(2)Nate B.
Very good sushi, I wish I could come back here more often!
(4)Cindy J.
Great staff -- very friendly and always smiling. The service is usually quick and efficient. The strip mall location is a little cheesy, and the decor is just average (although quite comfortable), but don't let that keep you away or you'll miss an enjoyable experience. The prices are reasonable as well, and there are televisions where you can watch sports, etc. so you won't have to miss a game to get a good meal. Closed on Sundays unfortunately. Busy for lunch -- good lunch specials weekdays.
(4)Tom M.
Nice friendly sushi place!
(4)Mark C.
I travel quite a bit for business...all over the world....and one of my caveats when visiting a city is to have sushi as recommended by a local. I can honestly tell you that the quality of the sushi at Mikado is one of the best I have ever had. Sure, you won't be able to get the variety you might have from a restaurant located in a coastal city, but they do fly in toro every once and a while. The sushi is prepared perfectly...sized perfectly...and the staff is one of the friendliest and knowledgable around (if you speak Japanese). The best time for sushi at Mikado is Tue-Fri at lunch. Simply sit down and order the "lunch box special"...price is always under $10. For that you get some miso soup, white rice, hot dish (varies by day...but my favorite is the teriyaki salmon), six pc. sushi (varies, but usually a spicy asparagus, cucumber or California roll) and a nice serving of tempura vegetables. Slide up to the sushi bar and enjoy Tony's incredible ability to create the finest sushi for 1,000 miles around...and it's in Grand Rapids!!
(5)Javier C.
The fish was very fresh but the pieces were very small.
(3)Chris M.
Very good sushi and great tempura. Yellow and Green monster rolls are our faves. Teryaki isn't so hot. Agree with other reviewers on the bento lunch boxes. A real value.
(3)Mick C.
Very pleased with the sushi here. Innovative menu with delightfully fresh sushi, hefty portions of tempura, and an attentive staff. Will definitely be back.
(4)Leo I.
This is a decent place for middle-of-the-road sushi. In addition to seaweed they use soy paper for rolls which is quite colorful. The overall experience is positive, especially on a quiet evening when the staff behind the bar can be quite chatty. It's a bit pricey considering the location and the quality of the fish.
(3)Monroe D.
Without question the best sushi in Grand Rapids. Ask your server for sushi recommendations that are off the menu if you want something different (try the monster rolls). Their extensive menu has many selections for non-sushi lovers too.
(5)Nabeel Q.
Just finished my sashimi meal, I ordered moriawase for one (16 pieces of sashimi), with extra unagi and hamachi. Pros: -Large pieces of sashimi, for the most part. The fluke was small, but that's okay. Tuna and salmon were very big. -Most of the fish was very fresh. -Service was excellent -Miso soup was very good -Started the experience with a hot towel and free green tea, excellent touch! Cons: -The octopus was very "fishy", should not have been served. -it was rather expensive, over $30 before drinks -salad was a bunch of iceberg lettuce with dressing Overall, great place with some minor flaws. If all the fish had been fresh, I'd give 5 stars. That's my suggestion for them.
(4)Megan L.
Went for a late lunch today and had three sushi rolls and a salad. The salad was just iceberg lettuce with dressing. Our three rolls were of fair quality. All the fish was "fishy" tasting, unlike fresher fish i've had. The eel sauce was very salty without much depth. The service was fast and friendly, but we were the only table at the time. The dining room smelled funny to me. The prices were higher here than other sushi restaurants in the area with (in my opinion) better quality food.
(2)Dean G.
I eat here at least a couple times a week for lunch! Sushi lunch special is awesome and the staff is extremely friendly!
(5)Benji B.
Mikado seems to be the one place in Grand Rapids everybody knows, so they think it's the best. It's better than some in Grand Rapids, but that's not really saying anything. The sushi isn't anything special, and it's so simple, bland and thin that I really consider it subpar.
(2)Susan B.
Korean's running a sushi restaurant, but best in GR. Explore the appetizer menu - dumplings, tofu, etc. We rotate every time we go. TVs in dining room a bit annoying, but kids ok. Lots of other food choices too beyond sushi.
(4)