Kyoto
8722 S Tacoma Way, Lakewood, WA, 98499
Kyoto Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Lakewood for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lakewood for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lakewood for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
8722 S Tacoma Way
Lakewood, WA, 98499 - Phone (253) 581-7229
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Mark S.
I was pretty impressed with the sushi here! Had a good selection of rolls normal rolls and a couple I've never seen before. Tried the moose roll and I highly recommend it! Service was a little on the slow side, but was very friendly. If you are looking for good sushi I'd recommend this place, and I will be back!
(4)Alejandro S.
Fast service. Nice chef. Great food. Really enjoyed this place. Sit at the sushi bar for more conversations with other guests and the staff.
(5)Chris W.
Always consistently good quality sushi! I've eaten here many times and it's one of three sushi restaurants I would recommend in Tacoma. Service has for the most part always been prompt and friendly, price seems reasonable, and meal is always quality. Kobe combination, and sashimi platter is our routine order, although there are many great menu choices. Often we get the Kobe combination to go and it's always prepared perfectly (comes with miso soup too). Restaurant is comfortable and clean...Koi pond and tatami rooms are a bonus. We've always been with at least one other couple when getting a tatami room, and I believe they won't seat a couple of two in a room (although i did get away with once on our anniversary, so it never hurts to ask ;)
(4)jason c.
I like this place alot. this place is on the spendyer side for a restaurant. I'm not a huge sushi fan but i come here with mom on special occasion. usually her birthday or mothersday when she want me to pay through the nose for all the years I tormented her. great way for her to get back at me.I spend way to much and she has a wonderful evening, everyone wins except my pocketbook, always gets the $35 platter. it feeds two or three. this may seem weird but I don't come here for the sushi or teriyaki wich by the way are fresh and tasty and there specialities, I come here for there udon. it's a great broth with very subtle flavors. the noodles are firm and absorbs the broth really well. there tempura batter is light and chrispy. it's not greasy and soggy which tends to happen when the chef gets lazy. there veggies ate very good as well. I got to say I love the decor. all the fish swimming around. the private rooms. the sushi bar. it's a great place to experience food not just eat it. I hope you all give it a try, keep your nose open and your wallet because by end of dinner they both may be empty
(4)Oleg T.
Food was ok, sushi was at par nothing special. Servers barely spoke English I asked for my sauce and she brought me totally different sauce that I asked for.
(2)Ray I.
SOOOOO GOOOD This is quality sushi! Try the amaebi (sweet shrimp) with the head still attached. It's so juicy and fresh. I can't wait to come back here
(5)Porki P.
Sushi is good. Do not order the Spicy Black Cod soup. The thing cost 30.00 and they only put fish bone no meat. I talked to the owner he refused to do anything about it. So I refused to pay half my bill and left. Honestly, speaking as a korean who eats at korean restaurants I have had more problems at these places because they only care about money and not priding themselves on service as well.
(2)Michelle S.
i absolutely love this place. -good service -fresh sushi -beautiful decor
(5)Tuan N.
Went to this place primarily because some of reviewers mentioned shabu shabu but alas, there was none. Sukiyaki was a close enough second for me since I was craving something similar so I got that. I wasn't disappointed with it, but I had much better other places, so I'm guessing this is the sort of place for sushi more than sukiyaki. The broth was sweet like it ought to be, but it was actually pretty salty. The beef wasn't that great either, had a tough texture to it and it just seemed like a lower quality beef. Still enjoyed eating it, but I've had significantly better. I also got some sushi just to kinda see how it was here and it was pretty good. I only ordered salmon nagiri and uni (sea urchin) and the sea urchin was nice and firm so that's always a good indication of a great place for sushi. The salmon was actually a little too thick for my liking even if it did have a good flavor it to. And I was looking at one of the cuts of sushi I had and they seemed to have messed up cutting it, it's sort of a negligible thing to nit pick at, but I just thought I'd throw it out there. All in all, it's an alright place. Probably would like to go to this place primarily for sushi next time though.
(3)Francesca M.
I found this place on a whim. Needed a sushi spot in the JBLM area that wasnt too far away from base. Definitely worth it. The sushi is great. Fresh, cold, appetizing. The staff is nice and accomadating. Fiendly, funny, conversational. If you go often like I do they remember your favorite items. (I sit at the bar) The price is good. Not overpriced or underpriced.Their miso and small banchan is great. They serve tea with every meal. Will continue to go as often as Im in the area.
(5)OL G.
The food is amazing. We had the Kyoto Combination and everything was really fresh and tasty. The price was good too. Unfortunately the service was a little bit slow but other than that it is a great place to eat sushi in Lakewood.
(4)Christina N.
I have been here twice. The first time I went with my girlfriends I was impressed by the decor, service and ambiance but not so much with the sushi. The second time I went with my husband on accident while looking for a sushi place that was open late. Thank goodness I did! Walking into the restaurant you are greeted by a fountain that pours into waterscaping with fat and happy koi fish. We requested the room by the door and the server was happy to oblige even though it was just the two of us. The water scaping wraps around the back of the room through an opening so you can enjoy the sounds of the fish splashing and trickling water while you eat. My husband ordered the beef teryaki, tako and alaska roll. All of them were amazing! The beef teryaki was cooked medium rare and tasted more like a prime rib teryaki. I ordered the crunch roll (amazing!) and sunset roll and was extremely satisfied with both. Great food, smiling servers AND they are open until 10 pm. We will definitely be back soon!
(4)Dan M.
The service here on my first visit was not on par with the quality of the food. Walking in, my GF and I were impressed by the decor, which is pretty elegant for a Lakewood strip mall: a koi pond, semi-private tatami rooms, clean wood floors, etc. Being a Sunday evening, there were only a few other parties in the restaurant and we were seated right away. But our waitress, aside from seating us promptly and taking our order accurately, didn't get much else right. We got only one menu between the two of us. The plates from our appetizers never got cleared away so our table was cluttered for the whole meal. Getting her attention was work, since she never came by to check on us and avoided eye contact every time she walked past our table. We asked for a second pot of tea which never came. We asked for our bill and after waiting more than fifteen minutes for it finally just got up to pay at the cash register. That being said, the food was good. If you end up in here, I highly recommend the Kyoto special roll, featuring unagi and real crab (not the fake stuff). And I wish you luck in getting better service than we did.
(3)River C.
Great quality very nice inside. Chef Choy is very good. He's worked here 15 years. Try the moose roll, the Red dragon and the Lakewood! Also if you like Salmon skin it's very good! Very good quality, no all u can eat but it's better quality. Try it.
(5)Mike C.
Love this place, best sushi in Lakewood
(5)Perfekt T.
This place is FANTASTIC!! My wife and I have eaten here a few times a month since we discovered it. While the food is terrific and reasonably priced, the reason this restaurant is our go to place is the customer service. We are always greeted and seated promptly, our orders taken swiftly, and the food ready extremely quickly. The entire staff seems to take incredible pride in their shop and do there best to keep you coming back. I RARELY write yelp reviews, but this place deserves to get a rating. Enjoy!!
(5)Becky N.
This is my favorite Japanese sushi restaurant in the Tacoma area. I come here a few times a month. My favorite items are the shrimp tempura roll, spicy hamachi, shrimp tempura, and beef udon. Although, it has some Korean flavors, the beef udon broth is the closest to authentic I have found around here. It is not on the menu, but if you ask for it, they will make it for you. Their shrimp tempura is delicious and has a light and crispy batter. The gyoza is also very good here. The fish is fresh and the decor is nice. I highly recommend this place.
(4)mai n.
The sushi is fresh and tasty, they had natto! We had the butterfish, kalbi, and saba, and they were all excellent...the jury is still out on the soba though, the tempura that came with it was good, but the shiru was a bit bland and the soba noodles were limp...but other than that I highly recommend going there!
(4)Eric P.
Fact: I am a sushi lover. Whether it be sake nigiri, hamachi sashimi, or uni gunkan, I am always searching for the next, freshest thing. And this is the place that started it all for me. The wooden bridge that takes you over the indoor pond conatining huge koi fish, the bamboo forest private rooms, and tables divided by a wooden gates reminiscent of ancient Japan, all contribute to the overall atmosphere of the restraunt. More importantly is what comes from the full-size sushi bar, cut and presented masterfully by the two skilled sushi chefs. The quality of foods served here is the standard to which I compare all other sushi/sashimi to. Even just a simple california roll here is better than some of the other guys' house rolls! Their deluxe sashimi order presented on a large wooden boat, atop shredded rasdish, is something you can call actually call a real order of sashimi. Their cuts of fish are generous and fresh. From their ice cold hamachi, to ther subtle oily toro. They serve a good potion of uni, and fish gills, with this order - both of which are really rare. Kyoto is one of the few sushi restraunts I've seen in WA that serves ama-ebi, or raw, sweet shrimp. Eat the meat, and ask the waitress to take back the shrimp heads and deep-fry them for another unique treat. Some other deep fried seafood goodies to try are the soft shelled crab, and whole fish bones? The fish bones are something truely unique to even an experienced sushi conosouer. I believe it's the bones from a flounder that they bread and deep fry, which turns into a crunchy edible sukidashi. Speaking of sukidashi, they serve you a lot of little side dishes to try with an order of sashimi and some sake. Some examples are a type of squid and rommaine lettuce salad with a chillie sauce or dressing, fermented ray and bellflower roots, sea cucumber slices, etc. etc. I was going to give them 5 stars until I read Cat's post, and realized she was right. I too had noticed that their service had gone a little downhill since they rehired the waiting staff. But overall, still one of the best places for quality sushi and sashimi. Definately worth stopping by if you're in Tacoma.
(4)Mystery S.
It was nice to find a place nearby to satisfy a sushi craving, even though the meal was a bit lackluster. The service was polite & moderately hospitable, not overly attentive, yet our water glasses were never refilled. Prices for sushi were rather high for what was received: small tekka maki, spicy salmon, tamago nigiri, and salmon nigiri. I've had bigger slabs of really fresh fish for a more reasonable price in the San Francisco Bay Area where everything is expensive! The salmon nigiri was a bit too slimy & mushy for my liking and the tuna in the maki was rubbery. The sushi rice was hard, too, as if it were all just pulled from the fridge, pre-made, and then sliced. The tamago was mushy and way too artificially sweet. As for the combo meal we had, tempura & katsu, I'm thinking the oil needed to be changed or hotter--the stuff was oozing grease. Tempura was so-so in taste & we were given a tiny tea cup of tempura sauce which didn't help enhance the flavor much more. The katsu was decent, but a little dry & greasy. I like that we were each given a salad instead of just one, but the dressing seemed to taste of too much mayo--the same flavor in the sauce used for the spicy salmon. All in all, the food & atmosphere is fair if you're just looking to satisfy hunger. You get a lot of food, especially because of the extra little dishes served as influenced by the Korean culture. However, if you're looking to satisfy your palate for sushi and/or Japanese food in general, you may want to keep searching. I'm willing to maybe give this place one more shot just to see whether or not it was an off-day, but I think I'll try another place first to have a basis for comparison.
(2)Becki W.
Try the Alaska Roll ! SOOO Good! The sushi chef here is a PRO!!!
(5)Sheldon M.
Best sushi I have had since I moved to this area...very friendly staff...great atmosphere...AWESOME SUSHI!!!!!
(4)Sally D.
This was very tasty and affordable. They offer many roll combinations and then throw in lots of extras (miso soup, pickled vegetables, tea). Also it's open until 10 which is later than most sushi places in Tacoma. Loves it.
(5)Evan A.
Good food. Kinda pricey.
(4)Mylynn D.
I ordered to go and while i was waiting they kept me company with a conversation some water and super cute clementines. Loved the service here :) and the decor was beautiful. I just loved the painted print on the tables. Oh and I ordered different types of sushi mmmm love each one of them!! Definitely a must go.
(5)Yooj N.
Been coming here for a while, Sushi is still good, but their service is going downhill and NEEDS improvement. Our order was an hour late and gave the excuse that it takes a long time to make and that they were busy, so the kitchen was backed up...when I walked in there was only two other tables and they were both on their way out. I am very observant so don't come to me with a lie that your kitchen was busy when there weren't many customers... NO HONESTY! But ending on a positive note their sushi is good.
(2)Jay H.
Located next to Shin Shin in a strip mall you won't be expecting much as you approach the front doors... but once you journey inside you quickly forget that you're in a strip mall because the interior is so nice. One of the first things I noticed was a koi pond. Sweet! The second thing I noticed was the nasty smell as I walked over the koi pond. It didn't really put me in the mood to eat raw fish if you catch my drift. Another thing I noticed was tatami rooms! How cool is that?! Answer: pretty friggin' cool! The servers here are super nice and aim to please. They were busy scurrying about making sure everything was going well for their patrons. Really the employees here are super nice and helpful. If you want lots of choices in the rolls department this may not be your spot. If you want some more interesting meat choices for your sashimi or nigiri... this may not be your spot. But what they lack in choices they make up for in speed. Kyoto really pumps out their food so you're not left waiting forever. This can be a good thing or a bad thing. It was good for my buddy and I since we were trying to make a movie and weren't sure if we'd get out of Kyoto in time. In that regard their speed of food delivery was awesome. However the overall quality of the sushi rolls I had was less than what I'm used to. I had two rolls (the aloha and the spicy tuna). While the fish was fresh the amount of fish was a tad bit lacking. Also, they fell victim to two of my biggest sushi pet peeves. One being when a joint makes their rolls too big. If my mouth had a 2 foot diameter then this wouldn't be a problem but I'm a normal sized dude with a normal dude sized mouth and I'm pretty sure these sushi rolls met and/or exceeded the maximum carrying capacity of the chopsticks. My other big sushi pet peeve is when the rolls fall apart and dump their contents all over my plate/table. I just tried picking the roll up with my chopsticks... I wasn't trying to swing dance with it. So why did you feel the need to fall apart on me, sushi roll?! My bottom line for Kyoto is that I love the decor and ambiance, the employees are super rad and the sushi is decent for Lakewood/Tacoma but I wouldn't ever bring friends from Seattle here because it just doesn't compete with all the high end sushi joints we have up north. Meh.
(3)Ronda B.
I went to this place because of the reviews. for the most part I was happy with the inside very clean, nice decor, we were seated right away. The waitress was very patient and easy to understand as she explained the different dishes. We ordered a combo meal to be able to have a variety, as well as, the LAKEWOOD roll...everything was very good. The only thing I would like to see different is the check out process. Since we were seated and the waitress came and served us we thought should would check us out at the table. After getting the bill and waiting 20-minutes we realized she wasn't coming back, lol, so we walked to the cash register. Very confusing process. Anyways, I would recommend this place to my friends.
(4)Arisa C.
If you're getting sushi there, it depends on your luck, sometime their sushis are really quite good and fine, sometime it is not good at all.
(3)Katie B.
Kyoto has been in Tacoma a very long time. Because some of my relatives were Japanese this place was a staple for them and I came to appreciate the pickles of various types served with the meals a nice touch and tasty. There are many choices and good food, its an extensive menu and I found the food quite good. However, it is the service that finally prompted me to not return. It is a small restaurant and service has generally been so snobbish and inconsistent as to knock of at least two stars. I don't like my guests embarrassed by rude treatment when I'm shelling out big bucks and a good tip to get adequate service and food. There was a period of time where one waitress was exceptional, I gave her good tips for excellent service and after a 2 years she greeted me by name. While she was there I enjoyed dining at Kyoto. When she left the place, the great service I temporarily experienced went with her. I place a lot of value on service because I'm an excellent cook and can create at home is as good as anything I'd pay 30 bucks for. The one thing I can't do for myself is have it served to me while I'm sitting down and relaxing. I'm paying for that when I go to an expensive restaurant and it makes the food taste better if I'm not fighting a waitress to get a glass of water.
(2)Erica E.
My mom and I are Japanese so of course we're going to be a little more critical. My mom got the sushi combo (California roll, tamago roll, several nigiri); said it was all right. I got a vegetable donburi, the deep fried veggies were soft and having an onion ring in there kind of threw me off. Overall it was okay. Wouldn't necessarily want to come back though. I wouldn't consider this authentic Japanese.
(2)Heather D.
The spider rolls here are decent.
(4)Brendan M.
Was not disappointed. Gret service and excellent Sushi.
(4)Angela G.
All I have to say is yum!! I had this place twice is one day. It was that good. Chicken teriyaki is on point and so is the sushi platter. Yes. Sorry for vague review, also this place looks amazing!!! Totally Japanese authentic, very clean and shall I add fancy.
(5)Marina Z.
Last night we went to Kyoto for our anniversary. I called a day ahead to make a reservation and the owner/manager was incredibly helpful. She let me know there was an enormous wedding party booked as well and asked if I would push our preferred reservation time back an hour. She also offered us a washitsu (tatami room) if we didn't mind the reservation change. They only reserve these rooms for parties of 6+. No problem on our part! What a beautiful place. The wait staff was very friendly and everyone congratulated us on our anniversary. Also, already mentioned in these reviews .. there is a bell to ring at your table for your wait person to return. We opted for the spider roll and ordered from the sushi menu rather then the dinner menu. Our roll and sushi came out on a wooden boat and looked gorgeous. The miso was lovely and I also had tuna sashimi. All wonderful! We can't wait to go back. I'm only giving 4 stars because while we generally always order individual pieces of sushi .. there were a few combination items of sashimi and sushi that looked amazing but came with California rolls which you couldn't substitute. Their menu can be a bit confusing even to us sushi connoisseurs :-) Wish I could give 4 and 1/2 stars!
(4)Victoria C.
Portions were the right size for what you are spending. Definitely a nice place to go out for an intimate dinner. Seems to me that every Japanese restaurant I've been to the service isn't very good. My husband was never offered a refill on his beverage, but the quality of the food made up for that almost.
(3)Kathy C.
Amazing! Beautiful ambiance and the customer service is great every time. I have been dining at this restaurant since I was a teenager. The restaurant when you walk in has a nice wooden bridge that curves up above the koi pond underneath with big Japanese goldfish in it with water that streams around the front entrance of the restaurant. Very calming and relaxing when you walk in this restaurant. Also has real tatami rooms where you take your shoes off and sit down on the pillow to eat. The sushi displays on a boat are also amazing when they come out and are served. To reserve a tatami room the minimum requirement is 6 guest and there is about 4-5 rooms. There is plenty of seating in the restaurant with a nice sushi bar for customer to sit at as well. Great place to go on a nice date or take family visiting town out to eat at or just to go and eat out with a friend. Its the perfect restaurant for any occasion and the prices are reasonable on average $8.95-$10.95 a dish and goes up from there depending how many raw niguri or sushi rolls you order if your doing a sushi night out! I would recommend this restaurant every time to friends or family looking for a great Japanese restaurant in the Lakewood area.
(5)Monica B.
Doesn't look like much from the outside but the food & service were top notch! Definitely coming back!
(5)Vanna L.
My favorite Sushi joint of all time. I go at least twice a month for spicy salmon rolls. Can't get spicy salmon rolls like that anywhere else. The salmon is rich and buttery and pairs well with the avocado, crispy cucumber, zesty watercress, and creamy spicy mayo that has a hint of garlic and chili flakes. This is not your average mayo/siracha mix. Their sushi rice is perfectly made as well. Sushi rice is so easy to get wrong and Kyoto does it so very right. Perfectly textured, seasoned just right and never mushy or stale. These people know what they're doing. I always order two rolls which includes miso soup, seaweed salad and pickled daikon and it comes to about $15. Well worth the price! For my birthday I went with my mom, two sisters, and two nieces. We were given a private room that had an opening in the back to overlook the water feature. We ordered one of their choice of boats and an extra spicy salmon roll. Their sushi boats are also a solid deal with a variety of impeccable sushi beautifully arranged. All in all, it came to about $70, and we were all pleasantly satisfied. None of us left hungry. $70 for six people for top rate sushi is an amazing deal. I haven't been disappointed by their sushi yet. It's a charming place with friendly staff and skilled sushi chefs. Sit at the bar for quick service and your sushi arranged right in front of you. I highly recommend the spicy salmon roll.
(5)Ben D.
I've been here three times. The restaurant is definitely Japanese styled however the employees are all Korean. Neither here nor there, they are all professional and courteous. I recommend their sushi because its very fresh and the sushi chef makes good recommendations. Today I had their broiled Black Cod that was marinated in miso paste and it was so-so. i've had better and their portions are small, one portion was only a huge fish spine. WTF! I also had their soba noodles which I can make it much better on my own. I'd only recommend this place for their sushi. Its probably the best sushi place in the Tacoma, Washington area. I listed the price range as Moderate but it all depends how much you order and what you order. This place is reasonably priced.
(3)Elizabeth C.
I was visiting the local area and decided to give it a shot! The staff was extremely friendly and everyone greeted me with a smile. I had the Alaska Express Roll and I loved it!! The atmosphere was quiet yet welcoming. I would definitely recommend this restaurant!
(4)Charity R.
Great sushi! We always sit at the sushi bar and are pleased the service and sushi.
(5)Deana Y.
This is my first yelp review. I usually use yelp to find great places to eat. Sushi was good and come in big portions and the prices are reasonable. My only complaint was the service really sucked. They sat us down with no menus...the lady finally realized we had no menus and blamed the other waitress for seating us to early? Let me remind you that this place was practically empty. They did not acknowledge us the whole time we were eating and it took forever for them to give is our bill.
(2)Sam H.
It seems as thought tacoma may be loosing some of their sushi joints. :( Well In short about Kyoto, It's a pretty decent sushi joint that welcomes you with a koi pond when you walk in. The waitress are friendly and prompted. The menu simple in it's choices. It seems ot range from udon, yakisoba, teriaki and then sushi. The fish is a pretty reasonable cut and the prepration is pretty fast. So for decent sushi in tacoma check out kyoto. It won't blow your mind but it will satisify your craving. :) I saw this mainly b/c our sushi was on the colder side, which alot of sushi joints seems to go to now.
(4)Bob P.
My wife and I arrived shortly after 9 pm, and it was nice to find them still open. I had the "King Sushi". Food was good, and well-presented. Downgraded to only two stars because the service was poor. We were well-dressed professionals but I felt like the waitress didn't care if we were there or not. We nearly left before ordering. Decor was fake-Japanese and garish. I won't be going back.
(2)Hanna K.
Best sushi in Tacoma. Great rolls, sashimi, and entrees.
(4)Doug C.
Loved the decor, the sushi chef was genuinely happy to serve me. He and the waitress were very attentive. I had the Seattle Roll and Spicy Salmon Roll. The spicy mayo is excellent. The rolls were delicious. The only reason I marked them a 4 star was because the Seattle Roll has cooked salmon on top and the torch he used to sear it left a funny taste. I will definitely go back. The prices were excellent. Next time I will try a combo with some sashimi. I definitely recommend this restaurant.
(4)Magicka M.
I came here for Valentine's day and I liked it so much that I came back the next day. The next day I tried more riskier rolls. I stayed away from the classic rainbow roll and just tried ones I haven't heard off. I got a Mt Rainier roll on the special rolls of the day menu and it had mozzarella cheese on it, but this roll had scallop in it and I was being adventurous which is why I picked it. I like mozz cheese and sushi, but I have to say that when you put it together it wasn't that satisfying. After that I was hesitant to try the volcano rolls and I love those! Anyway Decor is amazing!! Food is delicious and fish is fresh. Service was good. even on a busy day like vday. They seem quite authentic. There are Japanese sushi chefs putting together your sushi. Everyone worker seemed Japanese and it even looks family owned. When we sat at the bar, the sushi chef was able to talk to a customer in Japanese. I'd have to say they make the cut on authenticity. That may be a disadvantage, though, since they are not fluent in English. We tried to make reservations and we didn't understand each other, long story short, they don't do reservations haha and their English is passing, but not by much. The atmosphere is very nice. the place is clean and organized.
(5)Lydia D.
I eat here a few times a month. The atmosphere is great and they have tanami rooms available. The food and sushi menu is great and reasonably priced. I've ordered pretty much everything and it all taste authentic. I lived in Japan for 3 years and I'm so glad I stopped for lunch here on a whim. The service is also amazing. I've never been disappointed eating here.
(5)Jay S.
Kyoto is located in the center of Tacoma's Korea Town. It's a nicer middle class restaurant w/ a good sized koi pond, sushi bar & tatami rooms. It is well lit & nicely decorated & clean, making it a good place to take company. The food is good, but on the more pricey side. The fish is fresh & well cut. The combo sushi/sashimi platters are definitely the way to go ($17+). Bento was $18+, very tasty. Uni was $9 - definitely high, tekka maki was over $5. Solid classics, but almost no innovation in the maki category. The hot food was very good, but spendy for what it was....teriyaki dishes, chicken & beef, ran close to $15. The oyster dishes were particularly yummy. Service was polite, but seriously lackluster for a place attempting finer dining. I was never given refills on my water or tea. I was never asked how my food was, nor if I wanted anything else & was given the bill so unceremoniously that I thought they were closing (nope!). Kyoto is a good choice in Tacoma for a quality sushi fix in a nice setting. Hopefully the service will improve soon!
(4)Roscelle S.
Very fresh sushi but the Volcano Rolls is the star. It has melted cheese on top, yes melted cheese. I know it's weird but trust me, it works! I can eat that roll over and over again. The sushi chef is really nice too and the place is clean.
(5)Renee D.
Dropped in for the first time tonight, and was absolutely delighted. The service was great, as we're the sushi chefs. We had 6 rolls between the 2 of us, the sushi was that good. The fish was extremely fresh, the rice was tender. The green tea, sunomono and miso soup were complimentary. I loved this place and can't wait to go back.
(5)Willis S.
QUICK TIP: NEED A WATER REFILL or the servers attention?? Press the little buzzer located at the end of your table...it is there to get your servers attention....Otherwise you are left to enjoy your meal in the beautiful dining area with no interruption. I Love Bento's and although there Bento's are a little spendy they are well worth it considering all the goodies that come in it. Unfortunately they recently downsized & simplified the Bento Box's...they used to come with Kal-bi. The interior alone here is worth the trip but the food is really good too!
(5)Kimberly C.
WOOOOOW this place is awesome!! The restaurant is very cute..lots of cute decorations, soft pastel colors, and warm welcome. There is a bridge, japanese maple trees and even a mini river with real koi. I came here with my family when I was out there visiting. They gave us a special room, where your feet go under. There is even a non glass window that overlooks the wall decorations , river, and cute koi fish. The food here is AMAZING!! I was so impressed!! We started off with some really good japanese tapas. The cold tofu with hot sauce (korean style), Sweet potato clear noodles with bell peppers and some amazing sauce, and some squid salad. Already, I was impressed. Then she came with 2 large boats of fresh sashimi, nigiri, and california rolls. So good and so fresh. Then she brought sukiyaki and it was very tasty. She also brought us miso soup, chicken katsu, korean kalbi, kimchee, gyoza, a big plate of tempura (and they don't skimp on the shrimp tempura..they brought out like 8 of them with veggies), I mean the whole nine yards. My auntie said that they usually bring shabu shabu but they ran out, so they brought us Sukiyaki instead, but that was fine because the sukiyaki was so good. I really stuffed myself good. It was so good. I would def come back again...as a matter of fact, I am craving it now!
(5)Bill D.
Sushi place with decent ambience like many asian restaurants. Fish was fresh and varied selections of Sushi and other menu items. A little skimpy on the seafood in my entree Seafood Noodles dish but still tasty and hot. Nice servers and prompt service!
(4)Anna M.
Best sushi, and udon, in Tacoma hands down. A favourite among many friends, peers, and colleagues- Kyoto is worth a little bit of a trek. The service is great, the sushi, sashimi, and nigiri is fresh and you can taste the quality and the portions are excellent- along with the price point. Interesting and different interior, definitely worth going if you're hankering for sushi in the Tacoma area.
(5)Phong T.
I came here because I read the reviews, it had about 4 stars with 80 reviews which is good. I ordered a bunch of sashimi (raw sushi) some of it was okay ,but some was not that great. Some of the sushi I ordered was still slightly frozen indicating that it was not fresh. I think it was slightly over priced for everything I ordered. I will not be returning for sushi here
(2)Olivia F.
The food was fantastic and the atmosphere was incredible. They have tatami rooms where parties could gather around a low table and sit. There are also booths in which smaller parties could gather as well as a bar. There is a koi pond and a bridge at the entrance with almost a full view of the restaurant. In the tatami rooms there is a call button which is used to call servers over. This would have been good to know prior to our food being served. Instead we waited to get the attention of our server. Unfortunately, the server pointed out the button to us after our food had already been served. The sushi, yakisoba, and bulgogi were well prepared, delicious, and in moderate portions. The green tea was unsweetened, but good. Overall, it was a great experience and I would recommend it for special occasions.
(4)Heather H.
This place is pretty good. I had sushi and my husband had teriyaki. I think the atmosphere is really cool. The service was good. Overall, I think I'll be back. It wasn't that expensive. The menu has a lot of selections besides sushi. So, if you don't like sushi there are many more items to choose from.
(4)Lucy L.
My Friend took us here and omg.. We were in heaven .. The food is outstanding and ambience was incredible ! We ordered the bento boxes for lunch . I got the grilled Saba: it is to die for , fresh and cooked to perfection . We also got the sushi and sashimi platter. It was utterly delicious . The waiter was very attentive as well ! We will come back whenever we come to this part of the town . I am a fan !
(5)Jonathan L.
The food is GODLY. To die for! I come here as often as I can The Sushi and Sashimi is always fresh, and the workers and sushi chef are always friendly! Would recommend for anyone looking for tasty Japanese/Korean food and great atmosphere crossing a wooden bridge with koi fish!
(5)Rory B.
It just took way too long. I could forgive the dry yakitori or veggie heavy baked rolls or rubbery gyoza but above all this, why the long wait? My 15 year old wanted to come here for his birthday but felt bad after we left 'cause of the wait. Thought it was kinda his fault. Eating out is too expensive to give places a second chance. Wish this would have been cheerier.
(1)Belladonna D.
Walking in you are greeted to the sounds of a lovely pond that is full of stunning koi. The service is so authentic and welcoming and quick. The tables and surroundings are clean and inviting. Ordering was easy with descriptions and prices are nicely displayed. They even have small okiya rooms for groups. The food was amazing and served with the perfect timing so you did not feel rushed from your miso to your entree. The green tea was brought so fast and was at no additional cost. I would highly recommend this location to anyone who wishes they could have a Japan experience here in Tacoma.
(5)Ben H.
We had the Kobe sushi platter and the deep fried tofu. Plenty for two. The outside belies the great atmosphere inside. Next time we'll have to sit in one of the side rooms.
(4)Scot R.
I truly am Surprised by this place. I admit I can be a Japanese food snob at times being some that truly prefers traditionally prepared Japanese food and Kyoto did not disappoint me in anyway. The piping hot Japanese broth of my soup was clean and refreshing like the ocean, dang these guy's are good! They won't disappoint. Service was friendly and prompt! The food I ate was fresh and clean as I prefer Japanese cuisine should be. I had the individual serving of their Spicy Tuna Roll which Sung the Master Sushi Chef beautifully prepared in front of me at the counter where I enjoyed my meal. I enjoyed this so much I longed for another but I had a nice bowl Tempura soba noodle soup coming too, along with freshly prepared sides they provided with my hot tea. Sung was truly social even as he prepared customers plates of sushi, and by the end I was convinced I would like to enjoy another meal here again.
(4)Michael J.
Excellent service, decor and cuisine. Enjoyed a variety of sushi, spirits and appetizers. Definitely visit this establishment if your in the mood for a great all around dining experience.
(5)Andre H.
First time here. Me and my wife went for lunch on a Thursday around noon. There was plenty of seating available. The decor was very nice and lighting was set just low enough. As you enter there is a koi pond and a wooden bridge that crosses it. (WATCH YOUR STEP!) It looked flat as my eyes adjusted from the bright sunny outside we where having, to the dimmer interior light, but there is a very slight arc. I tripped. Nothing major, but enough to turn heads. There is also no hostess stand or sign, yet I am pretty sure you are supposed to wait to be seated. Another couple did as we did and got ready to just grab a table but was scooped up in time as we were too. Service was friendly, my wife said they did come back to check on us once during the meal, but I don't recall even once minus to bring our food. But, I will say even though things where slow when we got there it picked up speed as the lunch crowd rolled in and I only noticed two waitresses. The menu is large. Not a complaint, just making note. There are place mats with options, the menu they bring out, and a specialty sushi menu (front and back) off to the side of the table. The prices are on the high side, but the food was great and portions are large. Well, entree portions... I ordered fried oysters for appetizer, (not needed) which where $5 and some change for three, placed on a bed of green veggies, bento #1 for myself, and my wife had the sashimi combo. Both from lunch section. (pictures added). They bring three dishes of shareable sides, a salad for each, and miso soup for each prior to the meal. As for the sushi/sashimi, some of the thickest cuts I have seen, even in Hawaii. According to my wife (whom is Asian), on par with Hawaii sushi too as far as taste, quality, and freshness. (but still thicker than most spots in Hawaii) All that added up and I would say that the prices are worth it or at least reasonable for everything you get, and again this is on the lunch menu. Bento was very tasty but nothing extremely note worthy except the portions are large. (again pics added.) Overall, very nice experience and probably the best place so far that we have had sushi since moving to WA state from Hawaii. We will definitely be here again even with the distance from Olympia.
(4)DN L.
I give this place a five, simply because this restaurant is such a gem in Lakewood. This place is beautiful and the food was very decent. I came with a friend and my dad. If it wasn't peak time or holiday, you can reserved a tatami room for a party of at least three people. We got the best room, with the view of the pond, koi fishes completed with a backdrop of bamboo wallpaper, through the window. Definitely the most awesome and authentic I have ever seen in the Puget Sound area. I have been higher end sushi and authentic Japanese restaurants in Seattle so I wouldn't say that the food here was as good as I previously had in the city. But it was definitely worth it, with the privacy of the room and overall clean presentation of the restaurant. Specialty rolls was about $10 and that's totally decent with the right amount and good taste. Sashimi was very fresh as well. For some of you who might have some issue with cream cheese in their rolls like I do, it shouldn't be too bad, just pick something without it. For those who care about presentation of the rolls and their sauces, I would suggest you get over it, because.... honestly who care about wiggly mayonnaise.
(5)Alden C.
For a fancy sushi and Japanese restaurant, Kyoto is kind of an unexpected find in the suburban ghetto of the Lakewood and Tacoma areas. Upon entering you hear a fresh babbling brook sound. It is a small indoor pond loaded with koi, looking adorable and always needy and wanting attention and food. You cross a bridge over the pond to the hostess and dining area. There is the main dining room and separate rooms with sliding doors. You take your shoes off too and sit in traditional Japanese fashion in these rooms. The atmosphere is very enchanting and welcoming! They have a huge sushi menu but tonight I got a combination of Chicken Teriyaki with a California Roll. The food was not bad. The rolls were fresh and tasty! The Chicken was good too! Not the best I ever had but tasty! The service was top notch and very kind and friendly! Combined with the great atmosphere and good sushi I could see myself coming back again and again!
(4)Missy O.
Been picking up take away here for awhile. The staff is always super-friendly. The food is always available quickly. I usually stick to what I know, but I have ventured out and tried the following rolls (not all at once): Crunch roll, tuna cucumber avacado crunch on outside, spicy moose roll, cooked shrimp, crab, cucumber, acacado, smelt roe and tunpura flakes shrimp tempora roll shrimp tempura, mayo, crab meat, cucumver, avacoda and smelt roe Agashe tofu, yummy! Large portion. California roll- typical, but large! Tempura Udon. Very good! The food is great, staff wonderful. Definitely give them a try!
(5)Chris M.
From the minute you walk in you know the food will be good. The atmosphere is very authentic Japanese decor and seating is really comfortable. The tempura shrimp were big, crispy, and flavorful. Spicy salmon and spicy tuna rolls were really tasty...6 rolls each for an order and perfectly crafted. A friend took me here and said this is her favorite place...I know why! Will definitely be back to this place to try more from the menu. Highly recommended!
(5)Charlotte D.
Kyoto is my husband and my favorite date place! We always get the Hanna Boat that has sashimi and sushi on it. They bring salads and miso soup and little side dishes to go with the boat. The salad has a light ginger dressing and the miso is the best I've had. You get three or four different types of sashimi, all super fresh and incredible tasting. You also get a sushi roll as well as a huge variety of nigri. It's different every time, I guess it's what the chef wants to make. I've never had a negative experience here, we actually get the same table every time actually. We call it "our table" lol For $26 you get great food and a great experience. I recommend Kyoto to anyone who loves sushi!
(5)Renee D.
This restaurant is frickin adorable. You should eat here just to experience the atmosphere. However, down to business, the sushi was just ok. Not that great. Sad, since it's a really cute place.
(3)Brian M.
Great food great service. Asked the chef to surprise me with a roll and he brought back a roll that was out of this world.
(5)Darin R.
This place has potential to be better, it may even get there. However today, it's not ready to move past 3 stars. Below are my brief thoughts on Kyoto as you consider dining there: Environment is nice and appropriate, feels very authentic. Looks very family friendly. Service was responsive, but seemed frazzled - with only 4 tables total. I had to double explain their menu options as they were writing b/c they did not understand a simple "Sashimi Platter". I received the Sushi Combo... My salad came at the end and I never received my seaweed salad. They were nice and friendly, but I don't think the team I had was very experienced. They also had no idea what basic menu item differences were (i.e. sashimi vs. sushi nigiri). Product Knowledge was very limited with wait staff. Food - prepared perfectly. The reason they are being awarded 3 stars. Udon noodle soup was great, hand rolls awesome, sashimi was OK. They aren't getting the quality fish that more high-end restaurants get, you can tell with the sashimi. Everything else was tasty. Prices were very fair. No issues there. I would go back, just with lower expectations and not looking for fresh, succulent sashimi.
(3)Christina W.
The Atmosphere here is great. One star for that. The sushi rolls we ordered were nasty, the gyoza tasted like it had been sitting in a smelly refrigerator and had taken on the flavor of the smell, same with the batter on the tempura. After eating a few bites I had to run to the bathroom and watch it come back up. I went out to the car to wait for my husband to take care of the bill. They charged him for everything even though he told them what happened and we barely ate anything. I wish I could get my money back, we don't get to eat out very often and I'm so disappointed yelpers let us down this time :(
(1)Yen E.
My friends and I came here for lunch before we started our sugar detox the next day. The interior in the restaurant is really nice with it's koi pond which thankfully soothed my friend's newborn. This restaurant is literally sandwiched between Shin-Shin and H-Mart. We had their crab wontons which was mostly cream cheese with tiny dots of imitation crab. I had ordered their butter scallops which were delicious, but presentation wise was a little sad. The cabbage salad tasted better than the scallops itself. I think we all ordered some lunch rolls. I got their shrimp tempura roll which was delicious and I completely inhaled it without sharing. Oops. I also ordered their tempura soba which came practically at the end of the meal. Was completely flavorless, but at least the tempura was good. Great service with very friendly staff!
(3)Lindsey L.
Very beautiful restaurant and great service. The food was very tasty. I usually go to all you can eat sushi places, as ordering and paying per roll can get pricy, and this place is no exception to that but my husband and I went for our first date night since the birth of our daughter and it was wonderful and well worth the price. We had a spider roll and spicy tuna roll along with dinner size plate of mixed tempura and it was all very tasty. I would like to go again for lunch and try a few of their specialty rolls.
(5)Jesse Q.
After getting to out table we sat for 20 minutes before I got up and asked the waitress myself for the menus. Then, after placing our orders we waited for about 40 minutes for a pretty basic order. There were only 3 other tables in here which had already placed their orders and were starting to get their food. I'm never returning here for mediocre sushi and crappy service.
(1)James H.
I travel all over the country and have eaten Sushi at all the top places. My first thought usually is; I can't wait to get back home to Kyoto ! Cho is in full command of a stellar Sushi bar. Fish is excellent quality and presentation is fantastic. The Spicy Tuna hand rolls are off the chart!! If your concerned about freshness or want guidance of what to order; sit at the Sushi bar. Get to know your Sushi Chef !!
(5)David I.
Great sushi. The quality shows in the taste and presentation. The decor at the sushi bar is a little dated and worn. The chairs are from the 1980's, but that's forgivable since the food was great. I haven't done a waitress review in awhile but the waitress was very attentive and quick. And she was also one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. I would go back just to have her as my waitress. Marry me?
(4)Mike N.
Amazing sushi Low prices compared to most Good service Incredible atmosphere The house sake was above average and the prices were much lower than I expected. Great selection of sushi, give the uni a chance. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Amber L.
The décor is very nice, I especially liked the koi pond. I got the "Sushi Imperial" it was fresh and delicious. My roommate got the "Chicken Katsu" he loved it. He said it was perfectly breaded and deep fried. The staff was attentive.... Update, we both got sick after getting home.
(4)Mark L.
Believe the five star posts. For true sushi lovers. This is a must visit. This is my new favorite sushi spot.
(5)Rae C.
FAVORITE SUSHI PLACE. Very nice. Great food. Very nice attentive waitress. Clean Bathroom. Small waterfall with rocks inside the restaurant!. Feels like you are eating in Japan. Try the bridge selection!. It's basically about 40 different kinds of sushi (your pick) on a wooden boat! +1 beer+2 miso soups the tab runs about 70$ .No private breast feeding area But they do have a small chair inside the bathroom with a little table on the corner. No baby changing table in the bathroom either. Parking very close to restaurant. 5 stars
(5)Malcolm R.
Top four sushi places within 5 miles of downtown Tacoma koi pond and decor are atmosphere builders and good sushi make a winning combo. They have all your sushi favorites and an eclectic mix of specials too.
(4)Nicole N.
If I could give this place a 0 stars I would their customer service is horrible! And their food is not deserve any type of star s
(1)Annette B.
I have been going to this place for years. I have always appreciated the decor it makes for great atmosphere. I will say I feel they have been cutting corners over the years. I went there recently with my family and the miso tasted watered down. Then the server tried to take our drinks before we were done with them without even asking if it was ok. The food was decent nothing special. The last straw for me was when my aunt asked for a spoon and it literally took 10 minutes to get one. Absolutely ridiculous! Don't know if will be returning.
(3)