Kato was up north and pretty close to me. I asked my friend what she would recommend and she told me she only ordered bento boxes every time she's been here. The parking lot was small but I didn't have an issue finding parking. I was supposed to meet 4 others here but it ended up being like 8 or 9 others. Luckily, there was plenty of room for our large group. One thing I liked was the fact that the menu was online and was the same as what was in the restaurant. I ordered the Dinner Bento Box ($21) with Teriyaki Chicken and the Firecracker Roll ($12). I went off of my friend's recommendation of trying a bento box. The description of the Dinner Bento Box was very informative and it was quite a bit of food. It came with a salad, onion soup, 2 pork dumplings, 4 pieces of California rolls, tuna and salmon sushi, 4 pieces of tempura and rice with choice of meat. That didn't sound that much to me. The salad and onion soup came out a few minutes later. The salad was nothing special and pretty much what you could buy at a grocery store. It wasn't impressive but it was also better than no food. The onion soup was interesting only because there were mushrooms in it. I usually don't see mushrooms in onion soup but good change of pace. My bento box came out and it was a lot of food. The two pork dumplings were just okay to me, the California Rolls were good, the Salmon was alright, the tempura were good to me, and the rice with Teriyaki Chicken tasted pretty good to me. I would say it was worth $21 for the amount of food all together. The Firecracker roll was delicious and not really spicy in my opinion even though there was a jalapeno on top of each roll. I would recommend it if you want a different kind of sushi roll. Overall, I thought Kato was good and I will have to come back to try other things on the menu.
(4)
Mark S.
Not bad for sushi in the Northland, but coming from California and living in Japan, perhaps my standards are a bit too high. Nonetheless, it was hard for me to take this place seriously when the host and waiters who greeted me can't even pronounce the name of their restaurant correctly! Some the daily sushi offerings were also misspelled! The menu is pretty broad, with a variety of options, from sushi to noodles to entrees. I tried a soft shell crab roll, tonkatsu curry, and a spicy salmon roll. The tonkatsu curry as ok - the curry was a bit watered down and devoid of vegetables in it. The tonkatsu was actually pretty good The sushi did have generous portions, but something tasted off about the way it was served...almost like the rice was old or something. The meal came with a salad, which was basically a hunk of iceberg lettuce and some bottled sauce. The service here is pretty slow, with our waiter disappearing for long periods of time, despite the restaurant being empty. So here's my overall: Ambience: 3/5 Food: 2/5 Service: 2/5 Cost: 2/5 - not cheap to eat here for the rolls, etc. Overall: 2/5. I know that there isn't much in terms of option up north, but i'll likely be driving by and heading to Friend's or someone else in KC proper next time.
(2)
Pam T.
Not too bad. We arrived less than 30 minutes prior to closing on a Saturday without any issues. Great service, good sushi and excellent saki. The crunchy crab roll was my favorite!
(5)
Jason N.
This was definitely a find.. I love sushi.. and I am generally pretty picky about quality. I generally am not AS picky as some probably because I havent spent time in Japan or am overly concerned about certain spellings like some reviews. I am more concerned about presentation, flavor, the chefs ability to work with a knife, the balance of rice to protein, the cooking of the rice and the flavor associated. there's alot of nuance in Sushi, and some people dont always appreciate it, while others tend to be Highly strict in its interpretation. I will say that the Chef was very friendly and conversed with me, suggested some specials from the menu which is a good sign. He knew his menu and his knife skills were very good. I had a mix of Sushi and Sashimi from Spanish Mackeral, Octopus, White Tuna, Tuna, Scallop, and Eel all of which were very well done and went well with just the slightest amount of Lemon and Wasabi... I try not to do Soy too much as I think in some ways it can overpower the natural flavor of the fish. though in some places and with certain proteins it adds a layer of flavor. My waitress was excellent as she was cheerful and pleasant the entire evening and helped me with a (cold) Saki Suggestion which paired well with everything I ordered through the meal. Apparently this place has been in business for about 14yrs... and havent really changed too much with their decor as they tend to cater to more of a family atmosphere as opposed to a Urban flare which must change a bit more often to compete. I had a house special roll which the Chef reccomended to me which was layered with textures from Octopus and seabass topped with a spicy Masago and truffle oil which he then flamed to increase the smokiness and then topped that with black fying fish roe. I called it Lucious because it was rich, but full of texture and earthy flavors... excellent choice... Now, with all that I had and the Saki, the Bill came to 101bucks with tax... before tip.. so getting out it was about 130bucks... I find this to be pretty high for my money... but I did order alot as well... I think that could have come down significantly without the Saki, which was 25bucks.. and then the special roll... it would have dropped the bill to 85-90bucks with tip and tax.. still a bit high.. but for the quality of the fish.. worth it. should I ever come back, Kato will remain on my list of stop off's!
(5)
Tami C.
Had dinner here tonight after reading reviews. First impression, no one was there and i did notice several staff members outback smoking as we drove up. My Uber driver was scared for me, but I'm committed, so I ventured inside. Was greeted right away by a not so nice and nasty hostess. Sat me, walked away, came back with a glad of water (no ice), and all but slammed it down on the table. Strike 1, this isn't looking good. Server came over, took my drink order and came back. His service was decent, but not over the top. Answered my questions about rolls, took my order and.....only returned once to deliver my food and of course to bring my check. Food was prepared fast, as it should be because there were only 3 people in there. Portions were good, and I liked the rolls I ordered, Tootsy Roll and Crunchy Crab roll. Be warned as I was listening to another server take another tables order, I realized there were many rolls available that are not listed on the menu. Decent food, barely ok service, might return.
(3)
Dr. P.
I came here after 3 long conference/ expo/ workshops, days and am very glad I came. Afina greeted me with a smile and since I came alone she took the time to chit chat a little which made my experience pleasant. Paul makes the best rainbow Sushi. Food and services are excellent. Would love to come back. This place reminds me how much in enjoy Japanese food!
(5)
Mina A.
The calamari is awesome here, their sashimi is very thick cut and fresh; their Pork Tonkatsu rice is also very big and good too. Dont get their fried rice, very normal and not that tasty. Beers are very good price during Happy Hours, Draft Beer only $2.50.
(3)
Brittany H.
I've become an insane sushi snob ever since I lived in Los Angeles for half a decade. Its probably the best sushi I've ever tasted this far away from the ocean and I will always come here and only here for my sushi from now on. Good job, Missouri.. You've done good. (Trust me I've had my share of nasty horrible sushi experiences out here and this is the first one that has been acceptable.) And its more than just acceptable, its delectable! I was going to give this place a 4/5 stars because the service was quite terrible the first time I ate here, we sat at a booth and waited for about 45 minutes on a not-at-all-busy-night before we got served, and people who had arrived after us were served before us. The waitress also didn't know anything about the sushi, I had asked her a few times for two Smelt Egg Rolls and it took telling her a handful of times to get her to even remember that. At the end of the night she brought back our check and when I went to view the receipt and the items we had ordered, it had simply the word "sushi" hand written on a blank paper and it had a total. We had ordered multiple items including Hot Sake and it wasn't anywhere on the receipt and it made it seem very fishy (no pun intended) and rather shady at that. Thankfully the amazing quality of the fish itself made up for all of that and more. On our second visit to this sushi place we chose to sit at the sushi bar. From now on I will only sit at the sushi bar. Plus hanging out with the chefs as they work makes for a very unique and personalized experience. This time they wrote out the ticket with the items we purchased individually. We were very thankful for that. This place is a bit on the pricey side, but I'd gladly pay this much again, quality this good should never be cheap, and if you're out on the search for cheap sushi you'll get what you paid for. Cheap sushi. Want cheap sushi? Move along =P 5/5 Will always come here!
(5)
Rose Hoa D.
Awesome sushi and great service! And their lunch combos are a steal. Their noodle bowls are great too if you want to mix it up. Appetizers are amazinggggg. And you have to finish it off with the green tea ice cream.
(5)
Mike W.
We moved to the Northland, about 16 years ago from the Mission area. We visited several sushi places while living down south, and we're disappointed to find no sushi places up here. That all changed about 10 years ago, when Kato opened up. It's a testament to a restaurants quality, when they are still open after all these years and the increased competition. Hands down, Kato delivers the most consistent, best quality sushi in the northland. Entering the restaurant, to your right is a bar area, left general seating, and straight ahead, the sushi bar. We enjoy sitting at the sushi bar, or in the bar area watching a sporting event, while grabbing a few rolls. Secret Hint: Ask your server about the hidden menu, rolls that are not always on the board, but have been big hits over the years. We really like the Samurai Roll, tuna, tempura shrimp, avocado, spicy mayo topped with eel sauce, sushi-ummy. We order a variety of rolls, always trying something new. They have a sushi special on a dry erase board to the left of the sushi bar, so before ordering, take a peek at Wass-A-new. My son loves the rainbow roll, with the various fish atop a California roll, my other son eats the very American, chicken fried rice...we always grab a couple spoons full, as it's a huge portion, and very good. And with every good sushi meal, you have to wash it down with a cold one, Sapporo is my beer of choice in this house. Can't make it over for dinner, check out their lunch specials, couple rolls, soup, salad for just a few bucks...always a good deal at Kato's...and you never know who you'll run into, we always run into our St Therese friends while dining here...enjoy..
(5)
William H.
For a lot of folks this place is very satisfying. I would say it depends on what preferences you have in regard to Japanese food. If you're big on sushi you'll probably walk away fairly content. If you're a lover of Japanese noodles and looking for some good yakisoba you're gonna be extremely disappointed. They tasted like soggy ramen noodles with an overpowering amount of ginger. Nothing like what I had during my time in Japan. Not a fan of their bento boxes either.
(2)
Chuck S.
A very good meal. Marcia was our server and took very good care of us with a wonderful smile! Sushi was fresh and well prepared.
(5)
Tracy I.
Kato is a nice place for lunch or dinner, although my visits here have mainly centered around lunch time. Usually our order consists of bento boxes (shrimp tempura, veggie tempura, rice, miso soup, salad) which is the perfect lunch time portion. Easy and tasty meals for kids to enjoy!
(4)
Emily V.
This place is ok. I came in to order take-out and it took about 20 minutes which I feel like is pretty long for two rolls. I got the rainbow roll - the fish quality wasn't that good. I also had the Volcano roll which was just really heavy though I should have known with tempura and cream cheese. The house salad was just standard iceberg lettuce with miso dressing. It was fine but I wouldn't go back.
(3)
Jay I.
My wife and I went here today based off of good yelp reviews and we were not disappointed. To start things off we had a summer roll which was very aesthetically pleasing and super tasty. The sauce was a sweet and sour sauce with a hit of a spicy kick to it. Yum. For our main meal we picked three different rolls to split: the Vegas Roll, the Rock and Roll, and a roll of the yellowtail (Hamachi Roll). All three of them were very good rolls that were carefully prepared and super, duper tasty. All in all, we were very happy with our experience and will be back again in the future. The only downside was I got a tich lost because I thought it was one of the places in the strip mall. if I would have read more reviews I would have seen this place is a stand-alone restaurant right next to the Taco Bell right off of the highway.
(5)
Alex P.
Kato is a decent sized Japanese sushi bar/restaurant. The place is clean, and the decor is bamboo style... The food is actually not bad. My friends had the shrimp bento boxes and they liked the food. Portions are quite generous. I had a spicy tuna roll which in all honesty was pretty darn good. Temperature was a bit warmer that I would've liked, but the flavor was excellent! No soy sauce needed whatsoever. Additionally I had their soup (I can't quite remember the name but it's the las soup on the menu - "neyoso... Udon"?) and the noodles had great texture, and the portions of chicken and beef were generous as well, but the broth was a bit more acid than I would've liked. Lastly, the shrimp tempura that comes on the side was just too greasy to give a second bite. So in all, I would stick to the soup and bento boxes. Oh and they have a happy hour that's pretty nice making a 22oz. Kirrin $5.00. which we shared.
(3)
Ernest H.
Purely based on what's most important today was a fail for this restaurant. It was lunch time so I get that the "starters" were away. However u still need good peeps serving. Food was good though.
(2)
Tania M.
I really love sushi, so I was hoping to really love Kato. However, I really didn't like a lot of the items on their sushi menu, and everything seemed quite expensive. The less expensive rolls that I got were not very good, and the couple that I got that were more expensive were still not that great or anything special. I really do like the decor here, and the service as nice as well. Really, since I love sushi so much, I have to love the sushi more than anything.
(3)
Evgeniy K.
Went here for dinner with my girlfriend. We're from Wichita so we're used to a really good sushi under $40. Here the sushi was very simple and overpriced. Other than that very nice, quiet place and staff is very friendly!
(2)
Ikaika Y.
Born and raised in Hawaii so I know what good sushi is. Never thought I'd find a good sushi place in a land locked state. Rolls were pretty good. Fish quality was pretty good. Service was pretty good. My only complaint is that I have to travel pretty far because I'm stationed at Whiteman AFB. Although, I'd definitely go back to get my sushi fix.
(4)
Genette F.
This place is a hidden gem! I've driven past this place so many times thinking it was abandoned. It wasn't until I checked yelp that I realized that it was indeed open for business. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Not only do you get great service, your food comes out super quick and is super yummy! By far the best sushi spot in North Kansas City. I just wish they would spruce up their curb appeal.
(4)
Kristine C.
We got take out from here a couple of weeks ago and it was awful!!! We ordered several different items and they were all bad.The teriyaki chicken was bland and tasteless and was all dark meat chicken,no white meat at all!!! It was expensive,which I don't care about,but if I'm paying a lot for it,I expect white meat chicken,not thigh meat!! We will not be going back!!! We ended up throwing away most of the food and didn't keep any leftovers!!!
(1)
Steve U.
My wife and I have been coming here since 2008 and still come regularly. It is our favorite Sushi restaurant in the northland for fresh product, great service and selection. Try the Saba (Mackerel), it is perhaps the freshest around.
(5)
Bar C.
I have been back a couple of times and it's been very good. I still only go during happy hour. Their roles are tasty, especially the hand rolls. I had to correct the waitress on my last 2 visits. She charged regular price instead of the happy hour pricing on a couple of items.
(4)
Sook P.
Driven by this place forever---after dropping our son off for a bday party at chucky cheese, stopped in for a quick bite. Everybody was friendly & professional & helpful. We sat at the sushi bar and watched the game. The gentlemen making Sushi were engaging and fun to watch. Tried 2 kinds of rolls, they were both aesthetically pleasing as well as very tasty. And my Kirin was super cold---perfect! Sorry we've never tried this gem before, but we look forward to next time!
(5)
Jay E.
We were pleasantly surprised by Kato. It doesn't look like much from the outside but don't let that deter you because the inside is very inviting. The restaurant is very clean, despite being an older building. Our server was friendly and helpful, guiding us through the menu and specials. We tried a few of their sushi rolls and a hibachi salmon dish. The sushi rolls were fresh, flavorful, and extremely tasty! I ended up ordering additional rolls because I couldn't stop eating them. The salmon was just alright, we wouldn't order it again. Overall, highly recommend Kato for sushi, I'd go elsewhere for hibachi.
(4)
Brian E.
So I picked this place because my girlfriend and I had other plans that kept us up north. The Google and Yelp reviews put this place at 4 stars overall, with around 60+ reviews. So I figured it had to be good. The atmosphere was way to casual for my liking. When dropping $75 on dinner for two, I expected and hoped for something a bit nicer feeling, where as I felt Kato had more of a diner feel to it. We also got placed in a booth near the kitchen and there must of been a door open or something because my date was freezing from the draft that was coming through by us. The sushi selection was decent, with a lot of variety on the menu. There were also some specials on a white dry erase board that weren't on the menu. Presentation was average. Nothing crazy, nothing eye popping, just a pretty vanilla and standard presentation. Was looking for something like a sushi boat we could order so we could enjoy a lot of variety, however didn't see anything like that on the menu. So we opted for four rolls. We got the Red Dragon, the Samurai, and a couple others that weren't memorable enough to remember the names of. I will say that the Samurai roll was pretty damn good and would recommend it to anyone that comes to Kato. This is a good place if you want to bring kids. It isn't really a "quiet" restaurant and since it looks and feels more like a diner, I think it caters well to families with children. There was also a regular menu besides the sushi selections.
(2)
Brent F.
So far the best sushi I've had in KC. Growing up in Hawaii and then moving too the midwest, we had the toughest time trying to find a place to get "average/decent" sushi. The sushi here is almost exactly what we get in Hawaii/Japan. For the best deal on sushi, Kato has a lunch special where you have a choice of two different rolls. My favorite is the spicy tuna and spicy yellowtail (hamachi).
(4)
Christy G.
We went here for lunch. The place was pretty empty when we first got there but by 12:30 it was really filling up. They have a separate lunch menu which consists of bento boxes and stir fry options. They also have a great sushi menu. We ordered two different rolls from the "cooked" sushi menu as my husband is still doesn't like the idea of eating uncooked fish! We got the Shrimp Tempura and the Tootsie. Both were excellent. Even my husband liked them. We both ordered stir fry - his was steak and broccoli and my was beef, shrimp and veggies. Both were good- I felt like the quality of my beef was a little lacking and it was a little tough but everything else was great. Service is friendly but keep in mind it takes a minute to make sushi if you order it. Not the place for a quick lunch but certainly good if you want a nice, relaxing break in your day.
(4)
Stacie E.
They have a great happy hour. You have to buy a drink to get it. But even better is there lunch special Omg salmon or tuna avocado rolls. The passion colada is to die for. There servers are great and friendly. Odd houres. So make sure you check that there open before you go.
(5)
LA M.
The sushi and sashimi I had was okay, maybe because I have been spoiled with awesome sushi/sashimi on the coastal cities. My 2 coworkers however got food poisoning and was thinking it was from the smoked salmon since that is the only thing I did not eat. Makes sense because the smoked flavor can mask the fresh or not so fresh taste of fish.
(2)
Cristina C.
Great food & service! Loved he Hamashikama... It was delicious & the largest I have ever gotten.
(5)
J L.
this place was better than some of sushi restaurants that I have been. the service was quick and quality of food was good but needs little more work such as quality of sashimi and vegetables. if you are a picky eater and looking for something that really fresh, please lower your expectations before you enter this restaurant.
(3)
Ray C.
Ordered: Edamame: Proportion and taste good. Spicy Tuna Roll: Good and spicy Spicy Salmon Roll: Delish and spicy Firecracker Roll: Tasty and kinda spicy Teriyaki Chicken: Little fatty for our taste. We ordered for our daughter. Ambience and cleanliness are above average. Service and friendliness of staff above average. I was really close to 4 stars. 3.5 if I could give it. Love sushi and have eaten it for years all over the world.
(3)
Agustin R.
meh.... sushi and hibachi were very simple, blend and not very impressive... save your money go somewhere else...
(2)
Lindsey B.
Great sushi bar! Sushi was fresh, beautiful, and very tasty! Reasonably priced. Great atmosphere and quick service-- we were in and out within an hour. Only negative was that servers didn't refill drinks very quickly. Otherwise fantastic!
(5)
Dana N.
I'm very disappointed, it USE to BE SOOOOO GOOD! What happened?!?! The quality of food and service went down =( The Udon, and the tonkatsu was super salty! The quality of the sushi isnt the same either. A small piece for a price way more than what it should be? No thank you. Also the sushi smelt really fishy... (yes I know... no shit it's raw seafood, and yes, I know it's the midwest you cant get anything fresh, but still... Ive had "semi fresh" sushi before that didnt smell fishy). To me, it's telling me that they arent using fresh fish, and just using what they have left. That's not a good thing. Ive had my share and know what sushi should be. Hell Ive been to Japan, and the coastal areas, and sushi should not smell like that. Anyways back to the soup and rice. Udon, is a soy sauce based broth, correct? So I expected it to taste a little salty, but not "I think im gonna have high blood pressure" after I eat this. No amount of green tea could have helped me. My sister had the tonkatsu... ummm should the "sweet" sauce on the deep-fried pork cutlet be salty? O.o NO! In the end we didn't eat all of what we got and the server was like "was everything okay".. we just smiled and said... "not really, but it's fine thanks" On to the service, and it maybe because my parents own a restaurant and I grew up in the food and service niche, but she didn't offer us water, she didnt do a check back when we got our food (if it was busy, I wouldn't be complaining, but she wasn't the restaurant wasnt busy at all only 5 other tables, and there were 3 servers). The staff is lacking and the food quality is poor, and for the price they have, it's a rip off. I wont be coming back anymore. Sorry Kato, you've changed and it's not a good one
(1)
Bailey S.
This is THE best sushi place in Kansas City and I have tried them all. Everything is absolutely delicious. I haven't had one thing I didn't like and I've eaten here probably 100 times. They have the best crab Rangoon I've ever tasted. The Rock N Roll is to die for. Super fresh seafood and the wait staff is very friendly. You must try it!!
(5)
Ken S.
Kato Sushi is our favorite sushi restaurant in the Greater Kansas City area. The service is fabulous, the restaurant is always clean, and we enjoy the atmosphere. The food is delicious and their daily special always offers something new.
(5)
Pamela S.
I can't say enough about this place!! We have been going here for over 5 years and we love everything on the menu! The sushi is fresh and they have some really unique rolls that are simply amazing! The staff are friendly and helpful and our glasses are never empty. They recently changed the sushi menu to include some new rolls but you can still get your old favorites like the "Chiefs Roll" or the "P & A" if you just ask. They don't skim on service sizes for the sushi, tempura or teriyaki either. You will leave feeling satisfied and fulfilled!!
(5)
Michael H.
I saw the reviews on yelp for this place and thought I'd check it out. To start with I ordered the clear (onion) soup which is green onions and mushrooms in an onion type broth which tastes exactly like it should and it was very nice. The mushrooms were the correct texture I typically see and broth very flavorful. I then had a large hot sake and the tempura shrimp. I have to say I could probably come here just for tempera shrimp appetizer. The batter tasted correct and just perfect. They threw in some broccoli, zucchini, onion ring, and sweet potato? as well and they were all perfect. I then ordered a "tootsie" roll with tempura shrimp, cream cheese with avocado on top with sweet sauce (eel sauce) and it was a flawless execution. It was wonderful! Well now for the not so great, I made a mistake ordering the hibachi steak with scallops. It's made in the kitchen and not in front of me and no one asked how I wanted it cooked. The scallops were rubbery and still had the muscle attached. The steak was chewy (overcooked) and the fried rice was flavorless. I was very surprised at the last part for sure. The service was very good, waitress was attentive, just the one dish was disappointing. So I'd come back just not for the hibachi.
(3)
Alisa C.
This review is about 2 different visits! Once for lunch for their lunch specials (which are great) and once for dinner. LUNCH: I came here with a friend and instead of ordering sushi (like I normally would do), I was in the mood for some traditional cooked Japanese food. I decided to get Katsudon, which is a deep fried pork cutlet that has been mixed in with egg over a bed of rice. It's not the best I've ever had, but it was a lot of food and very tasty! My friend ordered 2 rolls for about $9 (this was the same price for my meal) and it was great! I also got some soup and salad as well too. Definitely will come back to try more of their lunch specials! DINNER: Came here for round 2 with the boyfriend because I was craving some sashimi!! I know that it's unfair to compare any place in the MidWest with Seattle,but Kato does it pretty good job compared to some of the other KC joints around the area. Today, I decided to get the tekka don, which is a bunch of slices of sashimi over a bed of rice. My meal came out and looked like a ton of tuna sashimi! They even put some of the sashimi into the spae of a rose (look at the photo!) Kind of cute, kind of gross.....take your pic but I thought it was cute and funny to see a rose made of raw tuna. The slices of tuna were extremely thin, so it looked like a lot, but there was still much to be desired.....Definitely spend the extra dollar to get the chirashi bowl! That one definitely filled me up and it has a huge variety! Pros: - tasty fish that is the freshest I've tasted in the city! - large lunch variety and with some great specials! Cons: - wish that the tekka don had more tuna sashimi in it Why I gave it a 4..... I still like this place, but since I was in Seattle a month ago, it was really hard to try to NOT compare Kato with some of the delicious restaurants in Seattle....still searching for some tasty sushi/sashimi in KC! Help me out fellow Yelpers!
(4)
Frankie C.
Always consistent , noticed a couple small changes last night. Keep it awesome Kato! Your very first 2 customers!
(4)
Dawn H.
I just moved to Kansas City Missouri from California with my fiance. Now being from california i love sushi and its everywhere over there so i am on the hunt for the best sushi place i can find in KC. My Fiance and I went here for lunch today and we loved it!! i got the spicy crab salad which was pretty good, my fiance got the seaweed salad which he loved a lot. I also got 2 rolls the spicy crab roll and the crunchy crab roll i think it was called, both were good but simple.Geoff also got a bento box with the chicken terriaki and he said it was the best chicken he as ever had, he loved the whole thing, it came with tempura veggies,a crab rangoon,california roll and the chicken and rice he loved all of it. The service was also good, our server was very nice and very attentive, i drink like a ridiculous amount of iced tea its a lil crazy how fast i can suck down a glass and he kept up with me very well lol. all in all we like this place and we will be back and next time i will take pictures :). the only thing that makes me sad is i cannot find a sushi place with an all you can eat option, those are also popular in cali, you pay like 20-30 bucks and you eat til you pop!! its the best ever, but i guess its a west coast thing? or maybe just in places where seafood is easier to get and more accessible. i have made it my mission to try every sushi place i see in KC and post about them on yelp. this is the first one we have tryed and we liked it very much
(5)
Elizabeth A.
Ok so as you can see from my last review here I obviously loved this place. Well I can officially I have never been disappointed here. I wanted to make sure before I wrote it again that I had been back a few times. The service is always fantastic. They are always very quick and are very educated on their food. I have further since ventured from my original menu choice and have still found them to have amazing food. The magic roll is absolutely delicous. The name definelty gives it justice. Further more th dragon eye roll. Holy cow this is amazing. It is some of the best sushi I have had and it has a nice spicy kick to it too, which I absolutely love. Their raw sushi is also great. I still highly reccommend everyone goes here. It is still as amazing as the first time. =)
(5)
MARJORIE L.
God price, good service. If they would serve chirashi in a bowl instead of a big flat plate, it would be perfect.
(4)
Linsey L.
Lunch pit stop on my way from the airport turned into an unusually enjoyable experience! The restaurant is mellow in a great way and the sushi bento box I ordered was great. The fish was delicious and fresh and the California roll was a delightful surprise when expecting the normal version most places serve. The crab Rangoon, though not something I usually expect, was fantastic and delicate and really helped round the meal out. Great lunch experience and I'll be sure to come back next time I get off the plane in KC hungry!
(4)
Lorena M.
This is the first time I've been to Kato, my boyfriend brought me on a date night so around 6 on Wednesday. It seemed fairly busy for a week night. There was no hostess and we stood at the door for 10 mins, the bartender just ignored us and when we finally got someone to seat us she was rude and unfriendly. Our actual waiter was outstanding, really nice and friendly. Gave us suggestions and the specials. He was very attentive and really social, he made for an enjoyable evening. The happy hour specials are really good, cheap , and there were plenty of drink and sushi options. The food was so-so, I've had plenty better. It was served promptly and most of the rolls were bland. I did really like the Samurai roll, which was one of their specials that night. I had the house Merlot (hh special) it was alright and my boyfriend had the Kato martini, it was sweet but good. one star for our waiter, one start for happy hour specials.
(2)
Shelley Y.
I'm updating my review to FIVE stars! Tonight's special, Lobster Roll, sent Kato straight to 5 star territory. It was like eating everything that's good and right in the world. We also had the Spider Roll, Rock n Roll Roll, and one piece each of tuna, and salmon sushi. SO GOOD! Sure, we had to waddle out of there because we were so stuffed, but it was so worth it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The Sushi Chefs are very friendly and our waitress was sweet, attentive, and helpful. She's the one who suggested the Rock n Roll. It was shrimp and tempura whitefish sushi with spicy mayo and eel sauce, topped with sesame seeds and roe. I shall dream of sushi tonight.
(5)
Jocelyn R.
I have been here probably 30 times, not sure why I have never stopped to write a review. Kato is our go-to sushi place north of the river and is consistently a good experience. The service is usually quick and friendly and the sushi (and regular menu items for those not raw fish inclined) is usually great. My husband opts for the sushi and sashimi combo and I usually get some spicy tuna rolls. I do think they could use a better kids menu, but it's not someplace I would bring my picky-eater kid anyway.
(4)
Mike P.
My wife and I came for lunch and the table was dirty & sticky top and bottom. Spicy tuna roll tasted fishy not fresh. We were also the only ones in there and had to wait for service.
(2)
The Most Interesting Man In The W.
My girlfriend and I regularly eat sushi in California. We were in town and decided to try this place based on the yelp reviews. We were in for a surprise. The eel and tuna were old and therefore "fishy" tasting. Fresh sushi should never have an unpleasant odor. Moreover, it should not need to made spicy to hide the lack of freshness. The salmon was good but the next day we both had interviews. My girlfriend's stomach did not feel well the entire day. I actually got diarrhea. The $$ is well warranted. This was the most expensive restaurant we went to in KC. If you're ever in town, do yourself a favor and try some BBQ instead. That's what KC is known for (hence KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce).
(1)
Rohnda P.
I was dropping a good friend off at MCI airport, so we were looking for a good restaurant but something close. Because we're both fans of sushi, we opted for Kato with Yelp's assistance. Little did we know, it was the same restaurant we had visited probably four years ago. With that being said, it's no wonder the restaurant is still open. The sushi remains delicious. The staff is still just as attentive and kind as before. It also helps that the prices were extremely reasonable and they had an extensive selection. We ordered the agedashi tofu as a starter. It was lightly fried and placed in a broth. Although I would have preferred the exterior of the tofu to be a little crispier, we both enjoyed it just fine. Fortunately, we were there during lunch time so we were able to enjoy the lunch menu and its awesome prices. We both chose the "pick two rolls" option for ONLY $8.95. With that price, we also received house salads. I picked the spicy crab mix and salmon avocado rolls. My friend ordered the dragon eye and the dynamite. Clearly, he was a little more adventurous than me. My rolls were your standard maki. I wished the spicy crab mix had a little more spicy mayo sauce. I tried his dragon eye roll and thought it was absolutely delicious. I loved the kick that came from the jalapeno and as always salmon goes great with the cream cheese. The dynamite roll is for the fish lover in you because it is a roll that has four different fish in it and is battered in tempura and deep fried. Overall, we enjoyed the visit. Kato provided us with good sushi, good service, and a sweet trip down memory lane.
(4)
Cheryl L.
Ok so I decided to give this place a second chance, because I reckoned the food wasn't half bad and I shouldn't banish it to hell because of that one waitress. So a a few months after I wrote a scathing email to the restaurant (basically the same account as provided in this website), I returned there for lunch with a Japanese friend. I noticed the waitress was no longer working there! We both ordered the Tuna lunch set, and it was great! The tuna was fresh and delicious, the rice had good texture and our server was very nice. I returned yet again for lunch for a weekend and had an enjoyable lunch again, this time ordering the same thing I had the first time, udon lunch set with tempura. The tempura didn't disappoint, not mushy at all and the udon soup was good as well, good serving size, and the noodles cooked just right. The service on that weekend afternoon was a little patchy, they were obviously understaffed, with two servers dealing with a hungry crowd that didn't thicken as the afternoon went by. The restaurant is redeemed.
(4)
Kimberly C.
Kato is my go-to place when heading to or from the airport. I almost always get Chirashi: $19 for an ample assortment (about 25 pieces!) of chef's choice fish & seafood sashimi, artfully placed atop of a bowl of seasoned sushi rice. Usual toppings are tuna, salmon, yellowtail, mackerel (several slices of each fish), scallop, squid, clam, shrimp, Japanese omelet, roe. They have the best chirashi I've had in the KC area & the fish quality has never let me down. I recommend you try this dish next time you're there. Service is always very friendly. If I lived closer I'd definitely be a frequent diner.
(4)
Lauren R.
They have good sushi and some of the wait staff is nice, but I did not appreciate them charging a $20.00 tip to my credit card for a to-go order. I had to call them a few times an they kept claiming it was a mistake but wouldn't fix it. I finally had to alert my credit card company. Over all good food, but be sure to pay in cash.
(2)
Tanya W.
So, on our quest to find great sushi in KC, this place is pretty decent. The prices are great and the fish is good and fresh. What sold me was the server. A cute little thing named Sarah, she provided top notch service I would expect at a fine dining joint. She was polite and attentive. We had the shumai which was kick ass, about 6 different tolls and 6 pieces of sashimi. All were well made, but could have been a couple degrees colder. The house hot sake was decent, and the plum wine was delish. Service makes all the difference for us when we dine, and we will definitely be going back. Wish it was closer to downtown, but we will make the treck.
(4)
Cassie A.
A couple years back I ate here so often that I don't really even like sushi that much anymore. The Las Vegas roll did it, I think - it's about as big as my fist... Everything I had here was delicious, from the appetizers to the sushi and the soups. Service was efficient and the decor inside the place is pleasant. Large menu with something for everyone - dinners, rolls, raw, salads, soups.
(4)
Billy C.
This is my favorite place to get sushi. The price is adequate to the proportions and the food is great! The nice part about Kato is they have a variety of cooked rolls that are delicious and great for people who are new to sushi. I highly recommend the RockNRoll and the paradise roll. The service is always prompt and friendly whether I'm dining in or carrying out.
(5)
Dez E.
Kato is delicious and affordable - two of my favorite things. At Kato, I got the Hibachi Chicken dinner and my boyfriend got a sushi entree served with salad, soup, and three rolls. All together, our total was about $26.19. That's great, especially considering how legit the food is. It doesn't look like your typical stripmall sushi place, but it was great!
(4)
Tod S.
I really like this place. Squid salad was excellent as were all my rolls. I will come back every chance I get!
(4)
Kejia Y.
Well, it is a OK Japanese sushi bar. It was a good place if you were hungry and in a hurry. Baked salmon sushi was good. I also ordered the soybean sushi. The soybean was way too sweet and the rice was too wet. The sushi itself was about to fall apart when I picked it up with chopsticks. I liked the fried tofu though. But the Magic Rolls tasted like Ameican-Japanese style sushi.
(3)
Kurtis A.
This place is perfect example of why Yelp is so great. If it wasn't for Yelp, I would have continued to pass by this place without ever giving it a second thought. My first thought being that the only thing this place could offer was a trip to the ER from food poisoning. I can honestly say that I'm ashamed of judging this restaurant by the outside look, which honestly makes it look like a fast food joint, because this place has some of the best sushi I've ever had outside of the state of Florida. When you walk in your slapped in the face with how this restaurant is so much grander than it seems from the outside. Gone is all the evidence that this place was ever anything but a Sushi Bar, and in its place there are tasteful decorations and light music to set the perfect ambiance.My wife and I came in 11:30 on a Saturday by accident, and while it may not have been busy when we got here (probably because it had just opened) it got there quickly. The waiter we had was extreamly peppy, nice, and helpful in choosing what Sushi we would be trying. He recommend his personal favorites and staff favorites; it did lead us towards rolls we wouldn't have normally chosen. This would turn out to be a great choice, because we love all of his suggestions. Finally on to the food, because if your like me, then you can wait forever and deal with anyone for great food. Don't worry though, because the wait isn't long and the staff isn't out to get you. On to the food, the rolls are absolutely fantastic tasting and amazingly fresh for being in the middle of America. If I could offer one suggestion of what to get, grab a Tropicana Roll : shrimp tempora, crab meat, mango, avocado, wrapped in soy paper with a raspberry sauce. If you do get this roll, eat it last because it's like a desert roll with how sweet it is. Really it doesn't matter what kind of roll you get, because your gonna leave happy. If your thinking about going here and trying this place, don't be taken aback by the outside. Show up for lunch and grab a roll or two with a friend. Your gonna be happy you did.
(5)
Louise H.
I give Kato 5 stars on sushi take out. After a long day of flying we were craving some sushi and just wanted to get home. We called in a couple rolls, which were ready right when we arrived. The staff was very nice, even when we requested more ginger... seriously addicted :) I would definitely recommend trying Kato out if you venture North.
(5)
Michael K.
One word, Yum! The sushi was fabulous. This place isn't much to look at on the outside, but once you get inside, you'll be glad you're there. The Rock & Roll and the Firecracker rolls were simply brilliant! The service, stellar. And then there is Jimmy, the Sushi Warrior. =] I'm so happy that I found Sushi in KC. Now I can retire to my hotel room, feeling extremely satisfied. Thanks Kato! You Rock! \m/ \m/ -MK
(4)
Lisa N.
My first visit to Kato was not disappointing! Great Shrimp Tempura appetizer, yaki udon and Spicy Tuna roll. Excellent service! I will return to try more menu items and would recommend this place to someone looking for good Japanese in KC.
(4)
Thuy N.
i have been here before several times and sadly to say i am upset when i came today. first the waitress was nice but her service was not good. we never got water, but we did Order drinks. Usually when we order drinks we always get water but this time we have to ask for it. the whole menu changed and Usually the food is good...it was salty!! i really wished our waitress was around so i could ask for more water...Sorry Kato, but i will not be going here ever again... im very disappointed..
(1)
Jake J.
I've been to Kato at least 30 times and I will admit that I have a soft spot for the restaurant since it was my first sushi experience years ago. I'll never forget when my buddy offered me a scoop of wasabi and said it was sweet, delicious Japanese ice cream. Now that I've been around the block when it comes to Kansas City sushi, I'll give Yelp my two cents. Usually the service is really good and the servers are attentive. I like the sushi more than anywhere else in the Northland so I always come here. It's somewhat close to the airport which is nice. Sit at the bar and watch ESPN, the chefs are friendly. Lots of regulars. Chiefs and Vegas fried rolls are very good. I always get the chicken katsu and vegetable tempura as well. It's a really nice restaurant in a convenient location. Give it a try!
(4)
Justin S.
The hibachi salmon was excellent. The dressing on the house salad was good too.
(4)
David A.
I must have gone on the worst night ever as I didn't see anything described in these reviews (except it DOES look like an old fast food joint of some sort). The outside emanates ZERO Asian theme. Who cares anyway? I want my sushi and I WANT IT NOW! Well, the staff was nice enough. I found the sushi to be reasonably priced. I'm really not sure how, but I got 2 sets of rolls (dynamite and spicy salmon) along with a glass of yummy plum wine (with a marachino cherry???!!???) for around $12. WOW, what a steal right? Well, I suppose it is if you want to eat healthy sushi. However, it didn't taste good. It was pretty mediocre. The spicy salmon didn't taste spicy and didn't have any drizzle of any sauce. It also wasn't encased in a seaweed wrap. The dynamite didn't taste well put together at all. It tasted too "fishy." It is fish right? But it had that taste that high quality fish shouldn't have. So, did I enjoy my meal? No. Was it inexpensive? Pretty much. Would I come back? No way jose. I've had better here and that's saying something. I've been really soured by my Sushi experience in KC Metro. You'll have to pay me to try sushi again within the next year (and I'll pay for you if I really enjoy it). Anyone up to taking me up on that bet? By the way, the service was good and the food came out quickly. No lines and we had the best seats in the house. Get a landmark before coming here as it was impossible to find in the mall area. I wish I had my GPS with me tonight.
(2)
Monica T.
I arrived in KC, got settled in my hotel, and then went here. Why? I was craving sushi and decided that the meatfest of the next few days could wait a day. Before I moved to Utah, I would have scoffed at sushi in a landlocked state, but now I know better. So I trusted you, Yelpers, and you did well! The atmosphere was exactly what I was looking for tonight: quiet and unpretentious. This place looks like it was a fast food restaurant at some point, but they've done a good job sprucing the place up. And I appreciated the TV at the sushi bar so I could catch some opening day baseball. You probably want to know about the food, though. I ordered the rainbow roll (for something classic), the P&A roll (for something a little different), and salmon, tuna, and conch nigiri. Everything was nice and fresh, and I was quite impressed. They did use the crab stick on the rainbow roll, and I would have liked the P&A to be a little spicier, but those are minor problems. A previous reviewer had problems with the service. For me, it was just fine. The sushi chef was quite friendly and upon hearing I was from Utah decided to hit me up for information about the Sundance Film Festival. I wish I could have been more helpful. So KC, your sushi has left me pleasantly surprised. Awesome.
(4)
Fred D.
Really disappointing. I am not in a hurry to go back and if someone were to suggest eating here again, I'd probably pass. I love sushi and Japanese food so I was excited to have Kato's so close. It's easy to overlook Kato's with it's strip mall location. Looks can be deceiving. A standard restaurant exterior hides typical American-Japanese decor. The ambiance is nice I guess. There's a large sushi bar and extensive sushi menu. Maybe sticking to the sushi is the best idea. The green tea was served a bit too piping hot. On both visits, I ordered the bento box, which is one of my favorites. The last time I visited, my chicken was not prepared in a very appetizing way, instead sort of chopped up into odd-sized pieces. The sushi was warm -- I don't think it was supposed to be, and not all that tasty. On an earlier visit we had sushi as well, and again I wasn't all that impressed. I've seen that there's another sushi place -- KC Sushi -- also nearby and I plan on trying it as well with fingers crossed!
(2)
Chris M.
I absolutely love this place. Myself and my group of friends come to Kato often once a week or more for either their lunch special or happy hour. The rolls here are great, my favorites being the Shrimp Tempura and Dragon Eye. I also love the Nigiri(tuna and salmon specifically), which is doubly afforable during happy hour. ;) I've always had great service, only one minor issue with splitting a check one time. Still 5 stars overall.
(5)
Anne M.
Kato is definitely a place I would recommend for sushi. California rolls or Sashimis? Whatever floats your boat.....this is the place. I've been to different sushi places around KC and this is the place that serves great sushi. Not a fan of fish? Try the Teryaki!! The price is definitely affordable. The service was okay. At least they knew what Ponzu sauce was and the Eel sauce. I would definitely come here again. If you are in the Zona Rosa area and are having a sushi or Japanese fix and aren't looking for Teppanyaki, swing by and try it out. Everyone's palate is different. What tastes good to me might be different for you.....just check it out and enjoy.
(5)
Hank W.
Fresh food, creatively prepared and very tasty. The wait staff was attentive and helpful without being over bearing. The next time my wife and I are in the mood for Sushi we will drive the 40 minutes to come here.
(5)
Mina N.
Kato sushi is my go-to sushi place. Partly because it's not too far for me (in the Northland), it's inexpensive, and it's always good. It's not quite a 5-star rating yet, because I haven't really given too many other KC sushi places a try -- I'm afraid to steer away from guaranteed tastiness. Atmosphere: The exterior doesn't do much, and you may accidentally drive by it, but once you step inside, you're welcomed by a warm ambiance. The lighting is perfect and the music is peaceful and subdued to the point that I barely notice it until Yiruma's "River Flows in You" comes on. (Love that song). Service: Efficient. They're there when you need them. They leave you alone when you don't. Exactly what I love. They are always friendly and very professional. Food: I'm not an expert on "authentic" Japanese sushi, but I'm pretty sure less than 5% of the KC population really is. Last time I checked, cream cheese is not exactly Asian fare. With that disclaimer, I can easily say that I always enjoy their food, especially the sushi. They always taste fresh and the rolls are well done too -- they don't fall apart, and they're not so big that you have to eat them in mutlitple bites.
(4)
Kelly R.
This is a pretty good place, the service is ok but the food is pretty solid. I love eating sushi this sushi is great tasting. I will be back again
(4)
Kelly P.
Kato is my favorite sushi place in Kansas City! It is in the Northland in a strip mall - no frills kind of restaurant so don't expect a trendy atmosphere like Drunken Fish or RA, but the quality of the sushi is much, much better! I'm from CA and have had a lot of excellent sushi. The have plenty of speciality rolls, but will also make just about anything that you want. I love the tuna and salmon sashimi. The salmon is my favorite and just melts in your mouth. I also like that they offer some no rice rolls that are wrapped in cucumber. My favorite rolls are the Tiger roll and Jayhawk roll - both cucumber wrapped. You can also get soy paper. My only comment would be that their wine selection isn't very good. The sake selection is decent though.
(4)
John Y.
I can't even put into words how great this place is. By far the best sushi my wife and I have had in Kansas City. We got three different roles and two other pieces of sushi. The rice was cooked perfectly and everything inside tasted fresh. Considering we are 1500 miles from anything that we were eating, it still tasted fresh. I highly recomend this restaurant to everyone. Go check it out and enjoy.
(5)
Kyle L.
The only reason I am giving Kato two stars is because I have been there twice before with pretty average service. That was during the week at a time when the place wasn't to busy and not ordering much food. I just walked in the door from getting dinner there on a Friday night. There were five of us and that sat us in really crappy seating when better seating was available. I've been a server before and know there is a rotation but this was just silly. I was willing to let that go because I was pretty hungry and ready to get to ordering some food. Without getting into specifics I will say it took us over TWO HOURs from the time we were seated to the time we were able to leave. Our waitress wasn't able properly divide our check without consulting another server and a calculator and even with those aids it still took roughly 20 mins for us to get our check back after we broke it down for her which card was paying for what on the check and it was only split three ways. I've always used this place as a back up for when my favorite local sushi place, KC Sushi, was closed because of odd operating hours but I'd rather pass on sushi than go back to this place after tonight. The manager could tell something was wrong because she came over to check on us with concern once and didn't offer to do anything about it. Plus it was almost $100 for the five of us and my wife and I were the only ones to get "dinners". Everyone else had an order of sushi and that was about it. No thanks Kato. I'll be taking my business elsewhere from here on out and I suggest others do the same. You might get lucky if you show up before or after the lunch rush but other then that I'd say you are out of luck
(2)
J F.
Maybe our mistake was not ordering sushi. I wanted hibachi and had an expectation I'd actually get that when I ordered it. Instead, what I got on my plate was some version of pan steamed chicken chunks with zero seasoning or flavoring. There wasn't a speck of color and it was tough. When I asked my waitress about it, she said "you should pour the sauce on it". If I wanted to prepare and season my dinner myself I would have stayed home. The fried rice was bland, again with no seasoning or flavor. It honestly didn't even the aromatic flavor of asian rice. My husband ordered the bento box, which contained teriyaki chicken (which was good). I think it would be hard to screw up something so basic as fried rice and hibachi chicken, but they did. After my waitress took my plate away and I reordered the teriyaki chicken, she returned once, about 10 minutes later, to refill my water and slam it down on the table. It was at the point I realized that by complaining about their food I'd probably end up with some secret spit in my meal and since my husband had long finished his dinner (and mine was nowhere in sight) we requested the check. oddly enough, there wasn't ONE apology from our server..nor did the manager check on us to inquire about what was wrong with the meal. I think this is the standard experience in the Kansas City area....the food is just so mediocre around here people are surprised when a patron complains. Next time I'll stick to a chain place where at least I know I won't be disappointed.
(2)
J D.
Went there in hopes it was a teppan grill. But it's not. Just hibachi style and sushi. The sushi was good. The hibachi not so much. Wouldn't go back as there is much better sushi in the KC area.
(3)
Kella M.
Their grilled squid and Hamachi Kama are to DIE for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I weren't on a budget, I would've ordered more and more of that. Nothing spectacular with their sushi, though.
(4)
Let It B.
Ah, my Kato. This is for serious sushi connoisseurs as well as newbies. I'm from Orange County, CA and moved here 4 years ago. I left my fish in Cali and was heart broken when I couldn't find fresh, good fish. It was hard to find a sushi joint here in the Midwest remotely similar to Cali. And not run by just people who look "Asian". I'm Asian myself, so I'm MUY picky! Seriously, it's fresh. it's good. AND, they (the sushi chefs, mainly John and Jimmy) will cater to you and make whatever you like. The food in the restaurant is good, but I mainly go for the sushi bar and mostly sashimi (fish without the rice). But there is SO much more than just sushi. Be adventurous and try the following: NOVICE: Shrimp Boat - 2 piece. Nigri. Cooked shrimp, crab, mixture of siracha hot sauce, kewpie (japanese mayo), and some other good stuff on a bed of rice with seaweed. (I had them make this as a copy cat of my old sushi place in cali.) DIVINE! Sushi - stick to the obvious rolls or try the basic (eel, shrimp, egg, tuna) INTERMEDIATE: SUSHI - Yellowtail (make sure you ask for BELLY) Toro (if they have it) From the menu: Hamachi Kama - Yellowtail Cheek (cooked) EXPERT Uni (yummmmmmmers) Monkfish Liver (like foie gras, but from monkfish) Seabass sashimi Hamachi Belly Sashimi (Yellowtail belly, which is the richest part of the fish, is seriously, like butta) Toro Sashimi (have a moment of silence when you eat this. It will knock your ass out and make you want to slap somebody. NO JOKE. Final words: It gets pricey but oh so worth it. Rating: FO. (FOOD ORGASM) all. the. way.
(5)
Emily H.
I love the sushi chefs here, the prices are good and the decor is fine, but the service is absolutely god-awful. I have been over a dozen times, as it is near my work and the sushi is good. It gets harder to go back each time I have bad service, though. In all the times I have been there, I have never had my water refilled. Nobody on the staff understood what I meant when I asked what kind of green tea they served (seems to be a cheap Matcha; it's OK). They do have bento box lunch, which is fun, and they seem quite popular. Being vegan, I stick to miso, rolls, tempura, etc., but they do feature more than the average little sushi spot; they had baby octopus salad yesterday and sometimes have natto. Plenty of desserts as well, ice-cream filled mochi and caramel fuji apples. If you don't mind hollering and waving for service or having to wait 20 minutes to settle the bill, it is a nice place for the food, and the staff is quite friendly, despite their performance. There are always regulars at the sushi bar at lunchtime, and like Malay cafe across the street, I often hear people saying that they make sure come in whenever they fly into KCI.
(3)
Christie R.
My biggest issue here is the service. Sometimes it is 1 star, others it makes 3 and one time we had 4 star service. The sushi is ok, but gain because of the service, it makes it tough to enjoy. My advice would be to TRY this place between 3-5 p.m. when they have "Happy Hour" and the sushi is significantly cheaper. That way if it sucks or the service is lousy, you aren't out a whole bush of money. It just seems to me as if the only quality sushi restaurants are in Johnson County.
(3)
Kev L.
I'm going to side with Ivy on this and agree the fish is probably the freshest in town. The other awesome thing is they actually employ 100% REAL Japanese people! I don't know, but It's kinda like the difference between some guy born here making taco bell and a legit mexican guy working out of a taco truck. Mexicans know their taco's. And of course, the Japanese know their sushi! Last time I came I had the standard salmon and tuna. Both were very flavorful and fresh. The texture of the tuna in particular was extremely fascinating. When you eat good and bad sushi, you can definately taste the difference. (Perhaps they are helped by the mere fact they are 5 minutes from the airport? Can't hurt!) Overall, really wonderful place. Staff is always ccourteous and willing to offer suggestions. Price is also very very reasonable compared to other places. Try their green tea!
(5)
Angela C.
Best Sushi and I love the Crab Rangoon, and the Tempura! Decent Prices as well!
(5)
Suzie F.
This place is my go to lunch spot, whether with a big group or by myself at the sushi bar. The lunch specials are amazing, you can save some serious dough.
(5)
Ken M.
My wife and I have gone here several times, thanks to coupons from VALPAK. Per my wife, the sushi is ok. We quite like the crab rangoon. I'm not much of a fan of the non-sushi menu, as I find some of the meat to be tough, and flavor to be somewhat bland. The ambiance is very good and the service is ok. We've never had to wait for a table. I give it 4 stars because it certainly could be better, but not a bad restaurant.
(4)
Joan J.
Freshest fish in town! There are a couple sushi places in Los Angeles DO have fresher fish than Kato but you would be paying 3x the price though. Here in Kato got fresh fish and reasonable price. My favorites: Appetizer: fried baby halibut(they usually don't have it) Carpaccio (the best ever had) Sushi: White tuna
(5)
Michael K.
This place is probably one of the only decent sushi places in the North KC area. Fish is decently fresh and it's made by some competent sushi chefs unlike other unnamed places in KC. So I give it 4 stars, but that's a relative score. If you're from an area with a lot of good Sushi then this would be more of a 3. If you're a sushi eater who only likes deep fried rolls with cheese stuffed in them, then go to Kona Grill, although they do that here pretty well too. No hate on Kona though, it's decent and pretty cheap.
(4)
Jody L.
Love this place. Even though I have never had to wait for a table, it usually has a steady and loyal crowd of diners. Food is delicious. I have never gotten anything I did not like. The Bento Boxes are to die for. So much food, you will have to take part of it home with you. If you are in a rush, this place is not for you. The service is slow 95% of the time. But, the food and drinks make up for it. They have great happy hour with sushi, rolls, and drink specials. I would give this place 5 stars, but the service is usually slow.
(4)
Dave p.
Great sushi and service. All the other reviews that rave about this place have been spot on so I'm just doing a me too, but it really is a great experience. We took some newbies there and the chef was very patient and they are now converts.
(5)
Rachel P.
The sushi I had here was old. Tasted like that stuff they sell on the huge round trays at Costco. Maybe it was an off night or something, or maybe sushi's not their thing
(2)
T L.
I have gone many times for lunch, and at least five times for dinner. Service has always been attentive and efficient. Bento boxes are excellent values at lunch, although I think the tempura and salads could be better. Sushi here is the best I have had in KC. Has always been fresh, regardless of what fish I have tried. salmon, eel, tuna, and several whitefish have all been good. The building is not attractive from the outside, but very "asian" on the inside. You will not be disappointed, especially for the price.
(4)
Doug A.
Very good sushi and decent menu selection. For sushi this is the place I would recommend in the Northland. The building is not much to look at but the interior decor is nice. I went for lunch and the wait staff was attentive and nice.
(4)
Lacey L.
Went here for the first time on Sunday and I must say it is now one of my favorite sushi bars to go to. We sat at the sushi bar so we could observe and talk to the sushi chefs. Every question we had they answered and were very polite. The guy had recommended the shogun sushi roll, he said it was a favorite to many people and it now has become one of my favorites as well. I also really enjoyed the Las Vegas roll and the spider roll. The atmosphere was quiet and very nice. Clothing I would say is casual. Overall it was a very good first experience. Highly recommended trying this restaurant.
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 : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Daniel H.
Kato was up north and pretty close to me. I asked my friend what she would recommend and she told me she only ordered bento boxes every time she's been here. The parking lot was small but I didn't have an issue finding parking. I was supposed to meet 4 others here but it ended up being like 8 or 9 others. Luckily, there was plenty of room for our large group. One thing I liked was the fact that the menu was online and was the same as what was in the restaurant. I ordered the Dinner Bento Box ($21) with Teriyaki Chicken and the Firecracker Roll ($12). I went off of my friend's recommendation of trying a bento box. The description of the Dinner Bento Box was very informative and it was quite a bit of food. It came with a salad, onion soup, 2 pork dumplings, 4 pieces of California rolls, tuna and salmon sushi, 4 pieces of tempura and rice with choice of meat. That didn't sound that much to me. The salad and onion soup came out a few minutes later. The salad was nothing special and pretty much what you could buy at a grocery store. It wasn't impressive but it was also better than no food. The onion soup was interesting only because there were mushrooms in it. I usually don't see mushrooms in onion soup but good change of pace. My bento box came out and it was a lot of food. The two pork dumplings were just okay to me, the California Rolls were good, the Salmon was alright, the tempura were good to me, and the rice with Teriyaki Chicken tasted pretty good to me. I would say it was worth $21 for the amount of food all together. The Firecracker roll was delicious and not really spicy in my opinion even though there was a jalapeno on top of each roll. I would recommend it if you want a different kind of sushi roll. Overall, I thought Kato was good and I will have to come back to try other things on the menu.
(4)Mark S.
Not bad for sushi in the Northland, but coming from California and living in Japan, perhaps my standards are a bit too high. Nonetheless, it was hard for me to take this place seriously when the host and waiters who greeted me can't even pronounce the name of their restaurant correctly! Some the daily sushi offerings were also misspelled! The menu is pretty broad, with a variety of options, from sushi to noodles to entrees. I tried a soft shell crab roll, tonkatsu curry, and a spicy salmon roll. The tonkatsu curry as ok - the curry was a bit watered down and devoid of vegetables in it. The tonkatsu was actually pretty good The sushi did have generous portions, but something tasted off about the way it was served...almost like the rice was old or something. The meal came with a salad, which was basically a hunk of iceberg lettuce and some bottled sauce. The service here is pretty slow, with our waiter disappearing for long periods of time, despite the restaurant being empty. So here's my overall: Ambience: 3/5 Food: 2/5 Service: 2/5 Cost: 2/5 - not cheap to eat here for the rolls, etc. Overall: 2/5. I know that there isn't much in terms of option up north, but i'll likely be driving by and heading to Friend's or someone else in KC proper next time.
(2)Pam T.
Not too bad. We arrived less than 30 minutes prior to closing on a Saturday without any issues. Great service, good sushi and excellent saki. The crunchy crab roll was my favorite!
(5)Jason N.
This was definitely a find.. I love sushi.. and I am generally pretty picky about quality. I generally am not AS picky as some probably because I havent spent time in Japan or am overly concerned about certain spellings like some reviews. I am more concerned about presentation, flavor, the chefs ability to work with a knife, the balance of rice to protein, the cooking of the rice and the flavor associated. there's alot of nuance in Sushi, and some people dont always appreciate it, while others tend to be Highly strict in its interpretation. I will say that the Chef was very friendly and conversed with me, suggested some specials from the menu which is a good sign. He knew his menu and his knife skills were very good. I had a mix of Sushi and Sashimi from Spanish Mackeral, Octopus, White Tuna, Tuna, Scallop, and Eel all of which were very well done and went well with just the slightest amount of Lemon and Wasabi... I try not to do Soy too much as I think in some ways it can overpower the natural flavor of the fish. though in some places and with certain proteins it adds a layer of flavor. My waitress was excellent as she was cheerful and pleasant the entire evening and helped me with a (cold) Saki Suggestion which paired well with everything I ordered through the meal. Apparently this place has been in business for about 14yrs... and havent really changed too much with their decor as they tend to cater to more of a family atmosphere as opposed to a Urban flare which must change a bit more often to compete. I had a house special roll which the Chef reccomended to me which was layered with textures from Octopus and seabass topped with a spicy Masago and truffle oil which he then flamed to increase the smokiness and then topped that with black fying fish roe. I called it Lucious because it was rich, but full of texture and earthy flavors... excellent choice... Now, with all that I had and the Saki, the Bill came to 101bucks with tax... before tip.. so getting out it was about 130bucks... I find this to be pretty high for my money... but I did order alot as well... I think that could have come down significantly without the Saki, which was 25bucks.. and then the special roll... it would have dropped the bill to 85-90bucks with tip and tax.. still a bit high.. but for the quality of the fish.. worth it. should I ever come back, Kato will remain on my list of stop off's!
(5)Tami C.
Had dinner here tonight after reading reviews. First impression, no one was there and i did notice several staff members outback smoking as we drove up. My Uber driver was scared for me, but I'm committed, so I ventured inside. Was greeted right away by a not so nice and nasty hostess. Sat me, walked away, came back with a glad of water (no ice), and all but slammed it down on the table. Strike 1, this isn't looking good. Server came over, took my drink order and came back. His service was decent, but not over the top. Answered my questions about rolls, took my order and.....only returned once to deliver my food and of course to bring my check. Food was prepared fast, as it should be because there were only 3 people in there. Portions were good, and I liked the rolls I ordered, Tootsy Roll and Crunchy Crab roll. Be warned as I was listening to another server take another tables order, I realized there were many rolls available that are not listed on the menu. Decent food, barely ok service, might return.
(3)Dr. P.
I came here after 3 long conference/ expo/ workshops, days and am very glad I came. Afina greeted me with a smile and since I came alone she took the time to chit chat a little which made my experience pleasant. Paul makes the best rainbow Sushi. Food and services are excellent. Would love to come back. This place reminds me how much in enjoy Japanese food!
(5)Mina A.
The calamari is awesome here, their sashimi is very thick cut and fresh; their Pork Tonkatsu rice is also very big and good too. Dont get their fried rice, very normal and not that tasty. Beers are very good price during Happy Hours, Draft Beer only $2.50.
(3)Brittany H.
I've become an insane sushi snob ever since I lived in Los Angeles for half a decade. Its probably the best sushi I've ever tasted this far away from the ocean and I will always come here and only here for my sushi from now on. Good job, Missouri.. You've done good. (Trust me I've had my share of nasty horrible sushi experiences out here and this is the first one that has been acceptable.) And its more than just acceptable, its delectable! I was going to give this place a 4/5 stars because the service was quite terrible the first time I ate here, we sat at a booth and waited for about 45 minutes on a not-at-all-busy-night before we got served, and people who had arrived after us were served before us. The waitress also didn't know anything about the sushi, I had asked her a few times for two Smelt Egg Rolls and it took telling her a handful of times to get her to even remember that. At the end of the night she brought back our check and when I went to view the receipt and the items we had ordered, it had simply the word "sushi" hand written on a blank paper and it had a total. We had ordered multiple items including Hot Sake and it wasn't anywhere on the receipt and it made it seem very fishy (no pun intended) and rather shady at that. Thankfully the amazing quality of the fish itself made up for all of that and more. On our second visit to this sushi place we chose to sit at the sushi bar. From now on I will only sit at the sushi bar. Plus hanging out with the chefs as they work makes for a very unique and personalized experience. This time they wrote out the ticket with the items we purchased individually. We were very thankful for that. This place is a bit on the pricey side, but I'd gladly pay this much again, quality this good should never be cheap, and if you're out on the search for cheap sushi you'll get what you paid for. Cheap sushi. Want cheap sushi? Move along =P 5/5 Will always come here!
(5)Rose Hoa D.
Awesome sushi and great service! And their lunch combos are a steal. Their noodle bowls are great too if you want to mix it up. Appetizers are amazinggggg. And you have to finish it off with the green tea ice cream.
(5)Mike W.
We moved to the Northland, about 16 years ago from the Mission area. We visited several sushi places while living down south, and we're disappointed to find no sushi places up here. That all changed about 10 years ago, when Kato opened up. It's a testament to a restaurants quality, when they are still open after all these years and the increased competition. Hands down, Kato delivers the most consistent, best quality sushi in the northland. Entering the restaurant, to your right is a bar area, left general seating, and straight ahead, the sushi bar. We enjoy sitting at the sushi bar, or in the bar area watching a sporting event, while grabbing a few rolls. Secret Hint: Ask your server about the hidden menu, rolls that are not always on the board, but have been big hits over the years. We really like the Samurai Roll, tuna, tempura shrimp, avocado, spicy mayo topped with eel sauce, sushi-ummy. We order a variety of rolls, always trying something new. They have a sushi special on a dry erase board to the left of the sushi bar, so before ordering, take a peek at Wass-A-new. My son loves the rainbow roll, with the various fish atop a California roll, my other son eats the very American, chicken fried rice...we always grab a couple spoons full, as it's a huge portion, and very good. And with every good sushi meal, you have to wash it down with a cold one, Sapporo is my beer of choice in this house. Can't make it over for dinner, check out their lunch specials, couple rolls, soup, salad for just a few bucks...always a good deal at Kato's...and you never know who you'll run into, we always run into our St Therese friends while dining here...enjoy..
(5)William H.
For a lot of folks this place is very satisfying. I would say it depends on what preferences you have in regard to Japanese food. If you're big on sushi you'll probably walk away fairly content. If you're a lover of Japanese noodles and looking for some good yakisoba you're gonna be extremely disappointed. They tasted like soggy ramen noodles with an overpowering amount of ginger. Nothing like what I had during my time in Japan. Not a fan of their bento boxes either.
(2)Chuck S.
A very good meal. Marcia was our server and took very good care of us with a wonderful smile! Sushi was fresh and well prepared.
(5)Tracy I.
Kato is a nice place for lunch or dinner, although my visits here have mainly centered around lunch time. Usually our order consists of bento boxes (shrimp tempura, veggie tempura, rice, miso soup, salad) which is the perfect lunch time portion. Easy and tasty meals for kids to enjoy!
(4)Emily V.
This place is ok. I came in to order take-out and it took about 20 minutes which I feel like is pretty long for two rolls. I got the rainbow roll - the fish quality wasn't that good. I also had the Volcano roll which was just really heavy though I should have known with tempura and cream cheese. The house salad was just standard iceberg lettuce with miso dressing. It was fine but I wouldn't go back.
(3)Jay I.
My wife and I went here today based off of good yelp reviews and we were not disappointed. To start things off we had a summer roll which was very aesthetically pleasing and super tasty. The sauce was a sweet and sour sauce with a hit of a spicy kick to it. Yum. For our main meal we picked three different rolls to split: the Vegas Roll, the Rock and Roll, and a roll of the yellowtail (Hamachi Roll). All three of them were very good rolls that were carefully prepared and super, duper tasty. All in all, we were very happy with our experience and will be back again in the future. The only downside was I got a tich lost because I thought it was one of the places in the strip mall. if I would have read more reviews I would have seen this place is a stand-alone restaurant right next to the Taco Bell right off of the highway.
(5)Alex P.
Kato is a decent sized Japanese sushi bar/restaurant. The place is clean, and the decor is bamboo style... The food is actually not bad. My friends had the shrimp bento boxes and they liked the food. Portions are quite generous. I had a spicy tuna roll which in all honesty was pretty darn good. Temperature was a bit warmer that I would've liked, but the flavor was excellent! No soy sauce needed whatsoever. Additionally I had their soup (I can't quite remember the name but it's the las soup on the menu - "neyoso... Udon"?) and the noodles had great texture, and the portions of chicken and beef were generous as well, but the broth was a bit more acid than I would've liked. Lastly, the shrimp tempura that comes on the side was just too greasy to give a second bite. So in all, I would stick to the soup and bento boxes. Oh and they have a happy hour that's pretty nice making a 22oz. Kirrin $5.00. which we shared.
(3)Ernest H.
Purely based on what's most important today was a fail for this restaurant. It was lunch time so I get that the "starters" were away. However u still need good peeps serving. Food was good though.
(2)Tania M.
I really love sushi, so I was hoping to really love Kato. However, I really didn't like a lot of the items on their sushi menu, and everything seemed quite expensive. The less expensive rolls that I got were not very good, and the couple that I got that were more expensive were still not that great or anything special. I really do like the decor here, and the service as nice as well. Really, since I love sushi so much, I have to love the sushi more than anything.
(3)Evgeniy K.
Went here for dinner with my girlfriend. We're from Wichita so we're used to a really good sushi under $40. Here the sushi was very simple and overpriced. Other than that very nice, quiet place and staff is very friendly!
(2)Ikaika Y.
Born and raised in Hawaii so I know what good sushi is. Never thought I'd find a good sushi place in a land locked state. Rolls were pretty good. Fish quality was pretty good. Service was pretty good. My only complaint is that I have to travel pretty far because I'm stationed at Whiteman AFB. Although, I'd definitely go back to get my sushi fix.
(4)Genette F.
This place is a hidden gem! I've driven past this place so many times thinking it was abandoned. It wasn't until I checked yelp that I realized that it was indeed open for business. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Not only do you get great service, your food comes out super quick and is super yummy! By far the best sushi spot in North Kansas City. I just wish they would spruce up their curb appeal.
(4)Kristine C.
We got take out from here a couple of weeks ago and it was awful!!! We ordered several different items and they were all bad.The teriyaki chicken was bland and tasteless and was all dark meat chicken,no white meat at all!!! It was expensive,which I don't care about,but if I'm paying a lot for it,I expect white meat chicken,not thigh meat!! We will not be going back!!! We ended up throwing away most of the food and didn't keep any leftovers!!!
(1)Steve U.
My wife and I have been coming here since 2008 and still come regularly. It is our favorite Sushi restaurant in the northland for fresh product, great service and selection. Try the Saba (Mackerel), it is perhaps the freshest around.
(5)Bar C.
I have been back a couple of times and it's been very good. I still only go during happy hour. Their roles are tasty, especially the hand rolls. I had to correct the waitress on my last 2 visits. She charged regular price instead of the happy hour pricing on a couple of items.
(4)Sook P.
Driven by this place forever---after dropping our son off for a bday party at chucky cheese, stopped in for a quick bite. Everybody was friendly & professional & helpful. We sat at the sushi bar and watched the game. The gentlemen making Sushi were engaging and fun to watch. Tried 2 kinds of rolls, they were both aesthetically pleasing as well as very tasty. And my Kirin was super cold---perfect! Sorry we've never tried this gem before, but we look forward to next time!
(5)Jay E.
We were pleasantly surprised by Kato. It doesn't look like much from the outside but don't let that deter you because the inside is very inviting. The restaurant is very clean, despite being an older building. Our server was friendly and helpful, guiding us through the menu and specials. We tried a few of their sushi rolls and a hibachi salmon dish. The sushi rolls were fresh, flavorful, and extremely tasty! I ended up ordering additional rolls because I couldn't stop eating them. The salmon was just alright, we wouldn't order it again. Overall, highly recommend Kato for sushi, I'd go elsewhere for hibachi.
(4)Brian E.
So I picked this place because my girlfriend and I had other plans that kept us up north. The Google and Yelp reviews put this place at 4 stars overall, with around 60+ reviews. So I figured it had to be good. The atmosphere was way to casual for my liking. When dropping $75 on dinner for two, I expected and hoped for something a bit nicer feeling, where as I felt Kato had more of a diner feel to it. We also got placed in a booth near the kitchen and there must of been a door open or something because my date was freezing from the draft that was coming through by us. The sushi selection was decent, with a lot of variety on the menu. There were also some specials on a white dry erase board that weren't on the menu. Presentation was average. Nothing crazy, nothing eye popping, just a pretty vanilla and standard presentation. Was looking for something like a sushi boat we could order so we could enjoy a lot of variety, however didn't see anything like that on the menu. So we opted for four rolls. We got the Red Dragon, the Samurai, and a couple others that weren't memorable enough to remember the names of. I will say that the Samurai roll was pretty damn good and would recommend it to anyone that comes to Kato. This is a good place if you want to bring kids. It isn't really a "quiet" restaurant and since it looks and feels more like a diner, I think it caters well to families with children. There was also a regular menu besides the sushi selections.
(2)Brent F.
So far the best sushi I've had in KC. Growing up in Hawaii and then moving too the midwest, we had the toughest time trying to find a place to get "average/decent" sushi. The sushi here is almost exactly what we get in Hawaii/Japan. For the best deal on sushi, Kato has a lunch special where you have a choice of two different rolls. My favorite is the spicy tuna and spicy yellowtail (hamachi).
(4)Christy G.
We went here for lunch. The place was pretty empty when we first got there but by 12:30 it was really filling up. They have a separate lunch menu which consists of bento boxes and stir fry options. They also have a great sushi menu. We ordered two different rolls from the "cooked" sushi menu as my husband is still doesn't like the idea of eating uncooked fish! We got the Shrimp Tempura and the Tootsie. Both were excellent. Even my husband liked them. We both ordered stir fry - his was steak and broccoli and my was beef, shrimp and veggies. Both were good- I felt like the quality of my beef was a little lacking and it was a little tough but everything else was great. Service is friendly but keep in mind it takes a minute to make sushi if you order it. Not the place for a quick lunch but certainly good if you want a nice, relaxing break in your day.
(4)Stacie E.
They have a great happy hour. You have to buy a drink to get it. But even better is there lunch special Omg salmon or tuna avocado rolls. The passion colada is to die for. There servers are great and friendly. Odd houres. So make sure you check that there open before you go.
(5)LA M.
The sushi and sashimi I had was okay, maybe because I have been spoiled with awesome sushi/sashimi on the coastal cities. My 2 coworkers however got food poisoning and was thinking it was from the smoked salmon since that is the only thing I did not eat. Makes sense because the smoked flavor can mask the fresh or not so fresh taste of fish.
(2)Cristina C.
Great food & service! Loved he Hamashikama... It was delicious & the largest I have ever gotten.
(5)J L.
this place was better than some of sushi restaurants that I have been. the service was quick and quality of food was good but needs little more work such as quality of sashimi and vegetables. if you are a picky eater and looking for something that really fresh, please lower your expectations before you enter this restaurant.
(3)Ray C.
Ordered: Edamame: Proportion and taste good. Spicy Tuna Roll: Good and spicy Spicy Salmon Roll: Delish and spicy Firecracker Roll: Tasty and kinda spicy Teriyaki Chicken: Little fatty for our taste. We ordered for our daughter. Ambience and cleanliness are above average. Service and friendliness of staff above average. I was really close to 4 stars. 3.5 if I could give it. Love sushi and have eaten it for years all over the world.
(3)Agustin R.
meh.... sushi and hibachi were very simple, blend and not very impressive... save your money go somewhere else...
(2)Lindsey B.
Great sushi bar! Sushi was fresh, beautiful, and very tasty! Reasonably priced. Great atmosphere and quick service-- we were in and out within an hour. Only negative was that servers didn't refill drinks very quickly. Otherwise fantastic!
(5)Dana N.
I'm very disappointed, it USE to BE SOOOOO GOOD! What happened?!?! The quality of food and service went down =( The Udon, and the tonkatsu was super salty! The quality of the sushi isnt the same either. A small piece for a price way more than what it should be? No thank you. Also the sushi smelt really fishy... (yes I know... no shit it's raw seafood, and yes, I know it's the midwest you cant get anything fresh, but still... Ive had "semi fresh" sushi before that didnt smell fishy). To me, it's telling me that they arent using fresh fish, and just using what they have left. That's not a good thing. Ive had my share and know what sushi should be. Hell Ive been to Japan, and the coastal areas, and sushi should not smell like that. Anyways back to the soup and rice. Udon, is a soy sauce based broth, correct? So I expected it to taste a little salty, but not "I think im gonna have high blood pressure" after I eat this. No amount of green tea could have helped me. My sister had the tonkatsu... ummm should the "sweet" sauce on the deep-fried pork cutlet be salty? O.o NO! In the end we didn't eat all of what we got and the server was like "was everything okay".. we just smiled and said... "not really, but it's fine thanks" On to the service, and it maybe because my parents own a restaurant and I grew up in the food and service niche, but she didn't offer us water, she didnt do a check back when we got our food (if it was busy, I wouldn't be complaining, but she wasn't the restaurant wasnt busy at all only 5 other tables, and there were 3 servers). The staff is lacking and the food quality is poor, and for the price they have, it's a rip off. I wont be coming back anymore. Sorry Kato, you've changed and it's not a good one
(1)Bailey S.
This is THE best sushi place in Kansas City and I have tried them all. Everything is absolutely delicious. I haven't had one thing I didn't like and I've eaten here probably 100 times. They have the best crab Rangoon I've ever tasted. The Rock N Roll is to die for. Super fresh seafood and the wait staff is very friendly. You must try it!!
(5)Ken S.
Kato Sushi is our favorite sushi restaurant in the Greater Kansas City area. The service is fabulous, the restaurant is always clean, and we enjoy the atmosphere. The food is delicious and their daily special always offers something new.
(5)Pamela S.
I can't say enough about this place!! We have been going here for over 5 years and we love everything on the menu! The sushi is fresh and they have some really unique rolls that are simply amazing! The staff are friendly and helpful and our glasses are never empty. They recently changed the sushi menu to include some new rolls but you can still get your old favorites like the "Chiefs Roll" or the "P & A" if you just ask. They don't skim on service sizes for the sushi, tempura or teriyaki either. You will leave feeling satisfied and fulfilled!!
(5)Michael H.
I saw the reviews on yelp for this place and thought I'd check it out. To start with I ordered the clear (onion) soup which is green onions and mushrooms in an onion type broth which tastes exactly like it should and it was very nice. The mushrooms were the correct texture I typically see and broth very flavorful. I then had a large hot sake and the tempura shrimp. I have to say I could probably come here just for tempera shrimp appetizer. The batter tasted correct and just perfect. They threw in some broccoli, zucchini, onion ring, and sweet potato? as well and they were all perfect. I then ordered a "tootsie" roll with tempura shrimp, cream cheese with avocado on top with sweet sauce (eel sauce) and it was a flawless execution. It was wonderful! Well now for the not so great, I made a mistake ordering the hibachi steak with scallops. It's made in the kitchen and not in front of me and no one asked how I wanted it cooked. The scallops were rubbery and still had the muscle attached. The steak was chewy (overcooked) and the fried rice was flavorless. I was very surprised at the last part for sure. The service was very good, waitress was attentive, just the one dish was disappointing. So I'd come back just not for the hibachi.
(3)Alisa C.
This review is about 2 different visits! Once for lunch for their lunch specials (which are great) and once for dinner. LUNCH: I came here with a friend and instead of ordering sushi (like I normally would do), I was in the mood for some traditional cooked Japanese food. I decided to get Katsudon, which is a deep fried pork cutlet that has been mixed in with egg over a bed of rice. It's not the best I've ever had, but it was a lot of food and very tasty! My friend ordered 2 rolls for about $9 (this was the same price for my meal) and it was great! I also got some soup and salad as well too. Definitely will come back to try more of their lunch specials! DINNER: Came here for round 2 with the boyfriend because I was craving some sashimi!! I know that it's unfair to compare any place in the MidWest with Seattle,but Kato does it pretty good job compared to some of the other KC joints around the area. Today, I decided to get the tekka don, which is a bunch of slices of sashimi over a bed of rice. My meal came out and looked like a ton of tuna sashimi! They even put some of the sashimi into the spae of a rose (look at the photo!) Kind of cute, kind of gross.....take your pic but I thought it was cute and funny to see a rose made of raw tuna. The slices of tuna were extremely thin, so it looked like a lot, but there was still much to be desired.....Definitely spend the extra dollar to get the chirashi bowl! That one definitely filled me up and it has a huge variety! Pros: - tasty fish that is the freshest I've tasted in the city! - large lunch variety and with some great specials! Cons: - wish that the tekka don had more tuna sashimi in it Why I gave it a 4..... I still like this place, but since I was in Seattle a month ago, it was really hard to try to NOT compare Kato with some of the delicious restaurants in Seattle....still searching for some tasty sushi/sashimi in KC! Help me out fellow Yelpers!
(4)Frankie C.
Always consistent , noticed a couple small changes last night. Keep it awesome Kato! Your very first 2 customers!
(4)Dawn H.
I just moved to Kansas City Missouri from California with my fiance. Now being from california i love sushi and its everywhere over there so i am on the hunt for the best sushi place i can find in KC. My Fiance and I went here for lunch today and we loved it!! i got the spicy crab salad which was pretty good, my fiance got the seaweed salad which he loved a lot. I also got 2 rolls the spicy crab roll and the crunchy crab roll i think it was called, both were good but simple.Geoff also got a bento box with the chicken terriaki and he said it was the best chicken he as ever had, he loved the whole thing, it came with tempura veggies,a crab rangoon,california roll and the chicken and rice he loved all of it. The service was also good, our server was very nice and very attentive, i drink like a ridiculous amount of iced tea its a lil crazy how fast i can suck down a glass and he kept up with me very well lol. all in all we like this place and we will be back and next time i will take pictures :). the only thing that makes me sad is i cannot find a sushi place with an all you can eat option, those are also popular in cali, you pay like 20-30 bucks and you eat til you pop!! its the best ever, but i guess its a west coast thing? or maybe just in places where seafood is easier to get and more accessible. i have made it my mission to try every sushi place i see in KC and post about them on yelp. this is the first one we have tryed and we liked it very much
(5)Elizabeth A.
Ok so as you can see from my last review here I obviously loved this place. Well I can officially I have never been disappointed here. I wanted to make sure before I wrote it again that I had been back a few times. The service is always fantastic. They are always very quick and are very educated on their food. I have further since ventured from my original menu choice and have still found them to have amazing food. The magic roll is absolutely delicous. The name definelty gives it justice. Further more th dragon eye roll. Holy cow this is amazing. It is some of the best sushi I have had and it has a nice spicy kick to it too, which I absolutely love. Their raw sushi is also great. I still highly reccommend everyone goes here. It is still as amazing as the first time. =)
(5)MARJORIE L.
God price, good service. If they would serve chirashi in a bowl instead of a big flat plate, it would be perfect.
(4)Linsey L.
Lunch pit stop on my way from the airport turned into an unusually enjoyable experience! The restaurant is mellow in a great way and the sushi bento box I ordered was great. The fish was delicious and fresh and the California roll was a delightful surprise when expecting the normal version most places serve. The crab Rangoon, though not something I usually expect, was fantastic and delicate and really helped round the meal out. Great lunch experience and I'll be sure to come back next time I get off the plane in KC hungry!
(4)Lorena M.
This is the first time I've been to Kato, my boyfriend brought me on a date night so around 6 on Wednesday. It seemed fairly busy for a week night. There was no hostess and we stood at the door for 10 mins, the bartender just ignored us and when we finally got someone to seat us she was rude and unfriendly. Our actual waiter was outstanding, really nice and friendly. Gave us suggestions and the specials. He was very attentive and really social, he made for an enjoyable evening. The happy hour specials are really good, cheap , and there were plenty of drink and sushi options. The food was so-so, I've had plenty better. It was served promptly and most of the rolls were bland. I did really like the Samurai roll, which was one of their specials that night. I had the house Merlot (hh special) it was alright and my boyfriend had the Kato martini, it was sweet but good. one star for our waiter, one start for happy hour specials.
(2)Shelley Y.
I'm updating my review to FIVE stars! Tonight's special, Lobster Roll, sent Kato straight to 5 star territory. It was like eating everything that's good and right in the world. We also had the Spider Roll, Rock n Roll Roll, and one piece each of tuna, and salmon sushi. SO GOOD! Sure, we had to waddle out of there because we were so stuffed, but it was so worth it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The Sushi Chefs are very friendly and our waitress was sweet, attentive, and helpful. She's the one who suggested the Rock n Roll. It was shrimp and tempura whitefish sushi with spicy mayo and eel sauce, topped with sesame seeds and roe. I shall dream of sushi tonight.
(5)Jocelyn R.
I have been here probably 30 times, not sure why I have never stopped to write a review. Kato is our go-to sushi place north of the river and is consistently a good experience. The service is usually quick and friendly and the sushi (and regular menu items for those not raw fish inclined) is usually great. My husband opts for the sushi and sashimi combo and I usually get some spicy tuna rolls. I do think they could use a better kids menu, but it's not someplace I would bring my picky-eater kid anyway.
(4)Mike P.
My wife and I came for lunch and the table was dirty & sticky top and bottom. Spicy tuna roll tasted fishy not fresh. We were also the only ones in there and had to wait for service.
(2)The Most Interesting Man In The W.
My girlfriend and I regularly eat sushi in California. We were in town and decided to try this place based on the yelp reviews. We were in for a surprise. The eel and tuna were old and therefore "fishy" tasting. Fresh sushi should never have an unpleasant odor. Moreover, it should not need to made spicy to hide the lack of freshness. The salmon was good but the next day we both had interviews. My girlfriend's stomach did not feel well the entire day. I actually got diarrhea. The $$ is well warranted. This was the most expensive restaurant we went to in KC. If you're ever in town, do yourself a favor and try some BBQ instead. That's what KC is known for (hence KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce).
(1)Rohnda P.
I was dropping a good friend off at MCI airport, so we were looking for a good restaurant but something close. Because we're both fans of sushi, we opted for Kato with Yelp's assistance. Little did we know, it was the same restaurant we had visited probably four years ago. With that being said, it's no wonder the restaurant is still open. The sushi remains delicious. The staff is still just as attentive and kind as before. It also helps that the prices were extremely reasonable and they had an extensive selection. We ordered the agedashi tofu as a starter. It was lightly fried and placed in a broth. Although I would have preferred the exterior of the tofu to be a little crispier, we both enjoyed it just fine. Fortunately, we were there during lunch time so we were able to enjoy the lunch menu and its awesome prices. We both chose the "pick two rolls" option for ONLY $8.95. With that price, we also received house salads. I picked the spicy crab mix and salmon avocado rolls. My friend ordered the dragon eye and the dynamite. Clearly, he was a little more adventurous than me. My rolls were your standard maki. I wished the spicy crab mix had a little more spicy mayo sauce. I tried his dragon eye roll and thought it was absolutely delicious. I loved the kick that came from the jalapeno and as always salmon goes great with the cream cheese. The dynamite roll is for the fish lover in you because it is a roll that has four different fish in it and is battered in tempura and deep fried. Overall, we enjoyed the visit. Kato provided us with good sushi, good service, and a sweet trip down memory lane.
(4)Cheryl L.
Ok so I decided to give this place a second chance, because I reckoned the food wasn't half bad and I shouldn't banish it to hell because of that one waitress. So a a few months after I wrote a scathing email to the restaurant (basically the same account as provided in this website), I returned there for lunch with a Japanese friend. I noticed the waitress was no longer working there! We both ordered the Tuna lunch set, and it was great! The tuna was fresh and delicious, the rice had good texture and our server was very nice. I returned yet again for lunch for a weekend and had an enjoyable lunch again, this time ordering the same thing I had the first time, udon lunch set with tempura. The tempura didn't disappoint, not mushy at all and the udon soup was good as well, good serving size, and the noodles cooked just right. The service on that weekend afternoon was a little patchy, they were obviously understaffed, with two servers dealing with a hungry crowd that didn't thicken as the afternoon went by. The restaurant is redeemed.
(4)Kimberly C.
Kato is my go-to place when heading to or from the airport. I almost always get Chirashi: $19 for an ample assortment (about 25 pieces!) of chef's choice fish & seafood sashimi, artfully placed atop of a bowl of seasoned sushi rice. Usual toppings are tuna, salmon, yellowtail, mackerel (several slices of each fish), scallop, squid, clam, shrimp, Japanese omelet, roe. They have the best chirashi I've had in the KC area & the fish quality has never let me down. I recommend you try this dish next time you're there. Service is always very friendly. If I lived closer I'd definitely be a frequent diner.
(4)Lauren R.
They have good sushi and some of the wait staff is nice, but I did not appreciate them charging a $20.00 tip to my credit card for a to-go order. I had to call them a few times an they kept claiming it was a mistake but wouldn't fix it. I finally had to alert my credit card company. Over all good food, but be sure to pay in cash.
(2)Tanya W.
So, on our quest to find great sushi in KC, this place is pretty decent. The prices are great and the fish is good and fresh. What sold me was the server. A cute little thing named Sarah, she provided top notch service I would expect at a fine dining joint. She was polite and attentive. We had the shumai which was kick ass, about 6 different tolls and 6 pieces of sashimi. All were well made, but could have been a couple degrees colder. The house hot sake was decent, and the plum wine was delish. Service makes all the difference for us when we dine, and we will definitely be going back. Wish it was closer to downtown, but we will make the treck.
(4)Cassie A.
A couple years back I ate here so often that I don't really even like sushi that much anymore. The Las Vegas roll did it, I think - it's about as big as my fist... Everything I had here was delicious, from the appetizers to the sushi and the soups. Service was efficient and the decor inside the place is pleasant. Large menu with something for everyone - dinners, rolls, raw, salads, soups.
(4)Billy C.
This is my favorite place to get sushi. The price is adequate to the proportions and the food is great! The nice part about Kato is they have a variety of cooked rolls that are delicious and great for people who are new to sushi. I highly recommend the RockNRoll and the paradise roll. The service is always prompt and friendly whether I'm dining in or carrying out.
(5)Dez E.
Kato is delicious and affordable - two of my favorite things. At Kato, I got the Hibachi Chicken dinner and my boyfriend got a sushi entree served with salad, soup, and three rolls. All together, our total was about $26.19. That's great, especially considering how legit the food is. It doesn't look like your typical stripmall sushi place, but it was great!
(4)Tod S.
I really like this place. Squid salad was excellent as were all my rolls. I will come back every chance I get!
(4)Kejia Y.
Well, it is a OK Japanese sushi bar. It was a good place if you were hungry and in a hurry. Baked salmon sushi was good. I also ordered the soybean sushi. The soybean was way too sweet and the rice was too wet. The sushi itself was about to fall apart when I picked it up with chopsticks. I liked the fried tofu though. But the Magic Rolls tasted like Ameican-Japanese style sushi.
(3)Kurtis A.
This place is perfect example of why Yelp is so great. If it wasn't for Yelp, I would have continued to pass by this place without ever giving it a second thought. My first thought being that the only thing this place could offer was a trip to the ER from food poisoning. I can honestly say that I'm ashamed of judging this restaurant by the outside look, which honestly makes it look like a fast food joint, because this place has some of the best sushi I've ever had outside of the state of Florida. When you walk in your slapped in the face with how this restaurant is so much grander than it seems from the outside. Gone is all the evidence that this place was ever anything but a Sushi Bar, and in its place there are tasteful decorations and light music to set the perfect ambiance.My wife and I came in 11:30 on a Saturday by accident, and while it may not have been busy when we got here (probably because it had just opened) it got there quickly. The waiter we had was extreamly peppy, nice, and helpful in choosing what Sushi we would be trying. He recommend his personal favorites and staff favorites; it did lead us towards rolls we wouldn't have normally chosen. This would turn out to be a great choice, because we love all of his suggestions. Finally on to the food, because if your like me, then you can wait forever and deal with anyone for great food. Don't worry though, because the wait isn't long and the staff isn't out to get you. On to the food, the rolls are absolutely fantastic tasting and amazingly fresh for being in the middle of America. If I could offer one suggestion of what to get, grab a Tropicana Roll : shrimp tempora, crab meat, mango, avocado, wrapped in soy paper with a raspberry sauce. If you do get this roll, eat it last because it's like a desert roll with how sweet it is. Really it doesn't matter what kind of roll you get, because your gonna leave happy. If your thinking about going here and trying this place, don't be taken aback by the outside. Show up for lunch and grab a roll or two with a friend. Your gonna be happy you did.
(5)Louise H.
I give Kato 5 stars on sushi take out. After a long day of flying we were craving some sushi and just wanted to get home. We called in a couple rolls, which were ready right when we arrived. The staff was very nice, even when we requested more ginger... seriously addicted :) I would definitely recommend trying Kato out if you venture North.
(5)Michael K.
One word, Yum! The sushi was fabulous. This place isn't much to look at on the outside, but once you get inside, you'll be glad you're there. The Rock & Roll and the Firecracker rolls were simply brilliant! The service, stellar. And then there is Jimmy, the Sushi Warrior. =] I'm so happy that I found Sushi in KC. Now I can retire to my hotel room, feeling extremely satisfied. Thanks Kato! You Rock! \m/ \m/ -MK
(4)Lisa N.
My first visit to Kato was not disappointing! Great Shrimp Tempura appetizer, yaki udon and Spicy Tuna roll. Excellent service! I will return to try more menu items and would recommend this place to someone looking for good Japanese in KC.
(4)Thuy N.
i have been here before several times and sadly to say i am upset when i came today. first the waitress was nice but her service was not good. we never got water, but we did Order drinks. Usually when we order drinks we always get water but this time we have to ask for it. the whole menu changed and Usually the food is good...it was salty!! i really wished our waitress was around so i could ask for more water...Sorry Kato, but i will not be going here ever again... im very disappointed..
(1)Jake J.
I've been to Kato at least 30 times and I will admit that I have a soft spot for the restaurant since it was my first sushi experience years ago. I'll never forget when my buddy offered me a scoop of wasabi and said it was sweet, delicious Japanese ice cream. Now that I've been around the block when it comes to Kansas City sushi, I'll give Yelp my two cents. Usually the service is really good and the servers are attentive. I like the sushi more than anywhere else in the Northland so I always come here. It's somewhat close to the airport which is nice. Sit at the bar and watch ESPN, the chefs are friendly. Lots of regulars. Chiefs and Vegas fried rolls are very good. I always get the chicken katsu and vegetable tempura as well. It's a really nice restaurant in a convenient location. Give it a try!
(4)Justin S.
The hibachi salmon was excellent. The dressing on the house salad was good too.
(4)David A.
I must have gone on the worst night ever as I didn't see anything described in these reviews (except it DOES look like an old fast food joint of some sort). The outside emanates ZERO Asian theme. Who cares anyway? I want my sushi and I WANT IT NOW! Well, the staff was nice enough. I found the sushi to be reasonably priced. I'm really not sure how, but I got 2 sets of rolls (dynamite and spicy salmon) along with a glass of yummy plum wine (with a marachino cherry???!!???) for around $12. WOW, what a steal right? Well, I suppose it is if you want to eat healthy sushi. However, it didn't taste good. It was pretty mediocre. The spicy salmon didn't taste spicy and didn't have any drizzle of any sauce. It also wasn't encased in a seaweed wrap. The dynamite didn't taste well put together at all. It tasted too "fishy." It is fish right? But it had that taste that high quality fish shouldn't have. So, did I enjoy my meal? No. Was it inexpensive? Pretty much. Would I come back? No way jose. I've had better here and that's saying something. I've been really soured by my Sushi experience in KC Metro. You'll have to pay me to try sushi again within the next year (and I'll pay for you if I really enjoy it). Anyone up to taking me up on that bet? By the way, the service was good and the food came out quickly. No lines and we had the best seats in the house. Get a landmark before coming here as it was impossible to find in the mall area. I wish I had my GPS with me tonight.
(2)Monica T.
I arrived in KC, got settled in my hotel, and then went here. Why? I was craving sushi and decided that the meatfest of the next few days could wait a day. Before I moved to Utah, I would have scoffed at sushi in a landlocked state, but now I know better. So I trusted you, Yelpers, and you did well! The atmosphere was exactly what I was looking for tonight: quiet and unpretentious. This place looks like it was a fast food restaurant at some point, but they've done a good job sprucing the place up. And I appreciated the TV at the sushi bar so I could catch some opening day baseball. You probably want to know about the food, though. I ordered the rainbow roll (for something classic), the P&A roll (for something a little different), and salmon, tuna, and conch nigiri. Everything was nice and fresh, and I was quite impressed. They did use the crab stick on the rainbow roll, and I would have liked the P&A to be a little spicier, but those are minor problems. A previous reviewer had problems with the service. For me, it was just fine. The sushi chef was quite friendly and upon hearing I was from Utah decided to hit me up for information about the Sundance Film Festival. I wish I could have been more helpful. So KC, your sushi has left me pleasantly surprised. Awesome.
(4)Fred D.
Really disappointing. I am not in a hurry to go back and if someone were to suggest eating here again, I'd probably pass. I love sushi and Japanese food so I was excited to have Kato's so close. It's easy to overlook Kato's with it's strip mall location. Looks can be deceiving. A standard restaurant exterior hides typical American-Japanese decor. The ambiance is nice I guess. There's a large sushi bar and extensive sushi menu. Maybe sticking to the sushi is the best idea. The green tea was served a bit too piping hot. On both visits, I ordered the bento box, which is one of my favorites. The last time I visited, my chicken was not prepared in a very appetizing way, instead sort of chopped up into odd-sized pieces. The sushi was warm -- I don't think it was supposed to be, and not all that tasty. On an earlier visit we had sushi as well, and again I wasn't all that impressed. I've seen that there's another sushi place -- KC Sushi -- also nearby and I plan on trying it as well with fingers crossed!
(2)Chris M.
I absolutely love this place. Myself and my group of friends come to Kato often once a week or more for either their lunch special or happy hour. The rolls here are great, my favorites being the Shrimp Tempura and Dragon Eye. I also love the Nigiri(tuna and salmon specifically), which is doubly afforable during happy hour. ;) I've always had great service, only one minor issue with splitting a check one time. Still 5 stars overall.
(5)Anne M.
Kato is definitely a place I would recommend for sushi. California rolls or Sashimis? Whatever floats your boat.....this is the place. I've been to different sushi places around KC and this is the place that serves great sushi. Not a fan of fish? Try the Teryaki!! The price is definitely affordable. The service was okay. At least they knew what Ponzu sauce was and the Eel sauce. I would definitely come here again. If you are in the Zona Rosa area and are having a sushi or Japanese fix and aren't looking for Teppanyaki, swing by and try it out. Everyone's palate is different. What tastes good to me might be different for you.....just check it out and enjoy.
(5)Hank W.
Fresh food, creatively prepared and very tasty. The wait staff was attentive and helpful without being over bearing. The next time my wife and I are in the mood for Sushi we will drive the 40 minutes to come here.
(5)Mina N.
Kato sushi is my go-to sushi place. Partly because it's not too far for me (in the Northland), it's inexpensive, and it's always good. It's not quite a 5-star rating yet, because I haven't really given too many other KC sushi places a try -- I'm afraid to steer away from guaranteed tastiness. Atmosphere: The exterior doesn't do much, and you may accidentally drive by it, but once you step inside, you're welcomed by a warm ambiance. The lighting is perfect and the music is peaceful and subdued to the point that I barely notice it until Yiruma's "River Flows in You" comes on. (Love that song). Service: Efficient. They're there when you need them. They leave you alone when you don't. Exactly what I love. They are always friendly and very professional. Food: I'm not an expert on "authentic" Japanese sushi, but I'm pretty sure less than 5% of the KC population really is. Last time I checked, cream cheese is not exactly Asian fare. With that disclaimer, I can easily say that I always enjoy their food, especially the sushi. They always taste fresh and the rolls are well done too -- they don't fall apart, and they're not so big that you have to eat them in mutlitple bites.
(4)Kelly R.
This is a pretty good place, the service is ok but the food is pretty solid. I love eating sushi this sushi is great tasting. I will be back again
(4)Kelly P.
Kato is my favorite sushi place in Kansas City! It is in the Northland in a strip mall - no frills kind of restaurant so don't expect a trendy atmosphere like Drunken Fish or RA, but the quality of the sushi is much, much better! I'm from CA and have had a lot of excellent sushi. The have plenty of speciality rolls, but will also make just about anything that you want. I love the tuna and salmon sashimi. The salmon is my favorite and just melts in your mouth. I also like that they offer some no rice rolls that are wrapped in cucumber. My favorite rolls are the Tiger roll and Jayhawk roll - both cucumber wrapped. You can also get soy paper. My only comment would be that their wine selection isn't very good. The sake selection is decent though.
(4)John Y.
I can't even put into words how great this place is. By far the best sushi my wife and I have had in Kansas City. We got three different roles and two other pieces of sushi. The rice was cooked perfectly and everything inside tasted fresh. Considering we are 1500 miles from anything that we were eating, it still tasted fresh. I highly recomend this restaurant to everyone. Go check it out and enjoy.
(5)Kyle L.
The only reason I am giving Kato two stars is because I have been there twice before with pretty average service. That was during the week at a time when the place wasn't to busy and not ordering much food. I just walked in the door from getting dinner there on a Friday night. There were five of us and that sat us in really crappy seating when better seating was available. I've been a server before and know there is a rotation but this was just silly. I was willing to let that go because I was pretty hungry and ready to get to ordering some food. Without getting into specifics I will say it took us over TWO HOURs from the time we were seated to the time we were able to leave. Our waitress wasn't able properly divide our check without consulting another server and a calculator and even with those aids it still took roughly 20 mins for us to get our check back after we broke it down for her which card was paying for what on the check and it was only split three ways. I've always used this place as a back up for when my favorite local sushi place, KC Sushi, was closed because of odd operating hours but I'd rather pass on sushi than go back to this place after tonight. The manager could tell something was wrong because she came over to check on us with concern once and didn't offer to do anything about it. Plus it was almost $100 for the five of us and my wife and I were the only ones to get "dinners". Everyone else had an order of sushi and that was about it. No thanks Kato. I'll be taking my business elsewhere from here on out and I suggest others do the same. You might get lucky if you show up before or after the lunch rush but other then that I'd say you are out of luck
(2)J F.
Maybe our mistake was not ordering sushi. I wanted hibachi and had an expectation I'd actually get that when I ordered it. Instead, what I got on my plate was some version of pan steamed chicken chunks with zero seasoning or flavoring. There wasn't a speck of color and it was tough. When I asked my waitress about it, she said "you should pour the sauce on it". If I wanted to prepare and season my dinner myself I would have stayed home. The fried rice was bland, again with no seasoning or flavor. It honestly didn't even the aromatic flavor of asian rice. My husband ordered the bento box, which contained teriyaki chicken (which was good). I think it would be hard to screw up something so basic as fried rice and hibachi chicken, but they did. After my waitress took my plate away and I reordered the teriyaki chicken, she returned once, about 10 minutes later, to refill my water and slam it down on the table. It was at the point I realized that by complaining about their food I'd probably end up with some secret spit in my meal and since my husband had long finished his dinner (and mine was nowhere in sight) we requested the check. oddly enough, there wasn't ONE apology from our server..nor did the manager check on us to inquire about what was wrong with the meal. I think this is the standard experience in the Kansas City area....the food is just so mediocre around here people are surprised when a patron complains. Next time I'll stick to a chain place where at least I know I won't be disappointed.
(2)J D.
Went there in hopes it was a teppan grill. But it's not. Just hibachi style and sushi. The sushi was good. The hibachi not so much. Wouldn't go back as there is much better sushi in the KC area.
(3)Kella M.
Their grilled squid and Hamachi Kama are to DIE for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I weren't on a budget, I would've ordered more and more of that. Nothing spectacular with their sushi, though.
(4)Let It B.
Ah, my Kato. This is for serious sushi connoisseurs as well as newbies. I'm from Orange County, CA and moved here 4 years ago. I left my fish in Cali and was heart broken when I couldn't find fresh, good fish. It was hard to find a sushi joint here in the Midwest remotely similar to Cali. And not run by just people who look "Asian". I'm Asian myself, so I'm MUY picky! Seriously, it's fresh. it's good. AND, they (the sushi chefs, mainly John and Jimmy) will cater to you and make whatever you like. The food in the restaurant is good, but I mainly go for the sushi bar and mostly sashimi (fish without the rice). But there is SO much more than just sushi. Be adventurous and try the following: NOVICE: Shrimp Boat - 2 piece. Nigri. Cooked shrimp, crab, mixture of siracha hot sauce, kewpie (japanese mayo), and some other good stuff on a bed of rice with seaweed. (I had them make this as a copy cat of my old sushi place in cali.) DIVINE! Sushi - stick to the obvious rolls or try the basic (eel, shrimp, egg, tuna) INTERMEDIATE: SUSHI - Yellowtail (make sure you ask for BELLY) Toro (if they have it) From the menu: Hamachi Kama - Yellowtail Cheek (cooked) EXPERT Uni (yummmmmmmers) Monkfish Liver (like foie gras, but from monkfish) Seabass sashimi Hamachi Belly Sashimi (Yellowtail belly, which is the richest part of the fish, is seriously, like butta) Toro Sashimi (have a moment of silence when you eat this. It will knock your ass out and make you want to slap somebody. NO JOKE. Final words: It gets pricey but oh so worth it. Rating: FO. (FOOD ORGASM) all. the. way.
(5)Emily H.
I love the sushi chefs here, the prices are good and the decor is fine, but the service is absolutely god-awful. I have been over a dozen times, as it is near my work and the sushi is good. It gets harder to go back each time I have bad service, though. In all the times I have been there, I have never had my water refilled. Nobody on the staff understood what I meant when I asked what kind of green tea they served (seems to be a cheap Matcha; it's OK). They do have bento box lunch, which is fun, and they seem quite popular. Being vegan, I stick to miso, rolls, tempura, etc., but they do feature more than the average little sushi spot; they had baby octopus salad yesterday and sometimes have natto. Plenty of desserts as well, ice-cream filled mochi and caramel fuji apples. If you don't mind hollering and waving for service or having to wait 20 minutes to settle the bill, it is a nice place for the food, and the staff is quite friendly, despite their performance. There are always regulars at the sushi bar at lunchtime, and like Malay cafe across the street, I often hear people saying that they make sure come in whenever they fly into KCI.
(3)Christie R.
My biggest issue here is the service. Sometimes it is 1 star, others it makes 3 and one time we had 4 star service. The sushi is ok, but gain because of the service, it makes it tough to enjoy. My advice would be to TRY this place between 3-5 p.m. when they have "Happy Hour" and the sushi is significantly cheaper. That way if it sucks or the service is lousy, you aren't out a whole bush of money. It just seems to me as if the only quality sushi restaurants are in Johnson County.
(3)Kev L.
I'm going to side with Ivy on this and agree the fish is probably the freshest in town. The other awesome thing is they actually employ 100% REAL Japanese people! I don't know, but It's kinda like the difference between some guy born here making taco bell and a legit mexican guy working out of a taco truck. Mexicans know their taco's. And of course, the Japanese know their sushi! Last time I came I had the standard salmon and tuna. Both were very flavorful and fresh. The texture of the tuna in particular was extremely fascinating. When you eat good and bad sushi, you can definately taste the difference. (Perhaps they are helped by the mere fact they are 5 minutes from the airport? Can't hurt!) Overall, really wonderful place. Staff is always ccourteous and willing to offer suggestions. Price is also very very reasonable compared to other places. Try their green tea!
(5)Angela C.
Best Sushi and I love the Crab Rangoon, and the Tempura! Decent Prices as well!
(5)Suzie F.
This place is my go to lunch spot, whether with a big group or by myself at the sushi bar. The lunch specials are amazing, you can save some serious dough.
(5)Ken M.
My wife and I have gone here several times, thanks to coupons from VALPAK. Per my wife, the sushi is ok. We quite like the crab rangoon. I'm not much of a fan of the non-sushi menu, as I find some of the meat to be tough, and flavor to be somewhat bland. The ambiance is very good and the service is ok. We've never had to wait for a table. I give it 4 stars because it certainly could be better, but not a bad restaurant.
(4)Joan J.
Freshest fish in town! There are a couple sushi places in Los Angeles DO have fresher fish than Kato but you would be paying 3x the price though. Here in Kato got fresh fish and reasonable price. My favorites: Appetizer: fried baby halibut(they usually don't have it) Carpaccio (the best ever had) Sushi: White tuna
(5)Michael K.
This place is probably one of the only decent sushi places in the North KC area. Fish is decently fresh and it's made by some competent sushi chefs unlike other unnamed places in KC. So I give it 4 stars, but that's a relative score. If you're from an area with a lot of good Sushi then this would be more of a 3. If you're a sushi eater who only likes deep fried rolls with cheese stuffed in them, then go to Kona Grill, although they do that here pretty well too. No hate on Kona though, it's decent and pretty cheap.
(4)Jody L.
Love this place. Even though I have never had to wait for a table, it usually has a steady and loyal crowd of diners. Food is delicious. I have never gotten anything I did not like. The Bento Boxes are to die for. So much food, you will have to take part of it home with you. If you are in a rush, this place is not for you. The service is slow 95% of the time. But, the food and drinks make up for it. They have great happy hour with sushi, rolls, and drink specials. I would give this place 5 stars, but the service is usually slow.
(4)Dave p.
Great sushi and service. All the other reviews that rave about this place have been spot on so I'm just doing a me too, but it really is a great experience. We took some newbies there and the chef was very patient and they are now converts.
(5)Rachel P.
The sushi I had here was old. Tasted like that stuff they sell on the huge round trays at Costco. Maybe it was an off night or something, or maybe sushi's not their thing
(2)T L.
I have gone many times for lunch, and at least five times for dinner. Service has always been attentive and efficient. Bento boxes are excellent values at lunch, although I think the tempura and salads could be better. Sushi here is the best I have had in KC. Has always been fresh, regardless of what fish I have tried. salmon, eel, tuna, and several whitefish have all been good. The building is not attractive from the outside, but very "asian" on the inside. You will not be disappointed, especially for the price.
(4)Doug A.
Very good sushi and decent menu selection. For sushi this is the place I would recommend in the Northland. The building is not much to look at but the interior decor is nice. I went for lunch and the wait staff was attentive and nice.
(4)Lacey L.
Went here for the first time on Sunday and I must say it is now one of my favorite sushi bars to go to. We sat at the sushi bar so we could observe and talk to the sushi chefs. Every question we had they answered and were very polite. The guy had recommended the shogun sushi roll, he said it was a favorite to many people and it now has become one of my favorites as well. I also really enjoyed the Las Vegas roll and the spider roll. The atmosphere was quiet and very nice. Clothing I would say is casual. Overall it was a very good first experience. Highly recommended trying this restaurant.
(5)