Vibrant red Japanese lamps and hit-list instrumentals underlay the sound of sizzling rice and vegetables on the hibachi grill. As an onion volcano erupts and the fire illuminates your face, you think to yourself, “I’m so happy we came to Koto.”
If you’re in the mood for specialty sushi and hibachi cuisine, you’ve come to the right place. Koto Japanese Steakhouse located on 533 S. Howard Ave. is the sushi lover’s sanctuary. This restaurant is popular for its fresh taste accompanied by a plethora of undeniable specials. Capitalizing on excellent customer service and impressive food quality, this is not your average sushi joint. If you aim to keep your wallet happy and your stomach full, the best time to indulge is lunchtime.
Open at 11 a.m. on the weekdays, Koto offers a heaping lunch special including soup, salad and your choice of two or three sushi rolls. The specials are traditionally served with Miso soup, but if you’re not a tofu fan, clear soup is always an option.
Starting at $8 with the two-roll deal, the special extends to $14 hibachi meals. Get the best of both worlds when you order a combination platter. If you prefer raw fish sans rice, five pieces of assorted sashimi and one roll of your choice will run you $10. The sashimi slices include tuna, yellow tail, clam, salmon and white tuna. A second option for $12 offers eight pieces of sashimi and one roll.
Don’t miss out on the Godzilla roll, a tempera roll stuffed with asparagus and yellowtail wrapped in seaweed. The warm, crispy roll is complemented well by a tangy eel sauce and spicy mayo garnish. If simple is your style, go for the Classic Roll, filled with thick slices of raw red tuna and avocado. Make sure you make an appearance by 2:30 p.m. before they close and re-open for dinner.
If you don’t have 45 minutes to spare for lunch, Koto has a $20 all-you-can-eat-and-drink menu from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. With your choice of select appetizers and sushi rolls, you can indulge for two hours without coming up for air. If your appetite isn’t up to par, appease your taste buds with unlimited well-liquor cocktails, wine and Bud Light or Miller Light drafts. This spectacular deal is hard to pass up, but you can only pay in cash, so leave your plastic at home!
To kick off your meal, start with a steaming bowl of edemame lightly dusted with sea salt. If you aren’t counting calories, try a plate of Rocky Shrimp, fried baby shrimp doused in a mild Japanese orange sauce. If you’re having trouble deciding, you can’t go wrong with crispy tempura shrimp and vegetables. You can only order three items at a time, so conquer your cravings wisely.
Koto’s relaxing yet energetic atmosphere is suitable for any occasion. Celebrate your birthday in front of the hibachi grill and enjoy a free meal (up to $15) with the purchase of an adult dinner. A melodic birthday tune, rainbow disco ball and staff serenade will end your visit complete with a scoop of vanilla ice cream sundae.
Melissa Santell can be reached at msantell@spartans.ut.edu.