Say konichiwa to Kyoto: Japanese steakhouse, sushi bar returns to new Provo location
The Fuzzy Wuzzy and Playboy sushi rolls at Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse in Provo on Tuesday.
Chef Michael cooks up a hibachi chicken, steak and shrimp meal at Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse in Provo.
Yellow Tail Sashimi alongside Salmon and Tuna Nigiri at Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse in Provo.
Chef Michael cooks up a hibachi chicken, steak and shrimp meal at Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse in Provo on Tuesday.
When I think of the Japanese city of Kyoto, I remember a wonderful, soggy, rainy weekend spent in Japan’s original Imperial capital city during the Gion Festival in 2006. The ancient city, while bustling with business and more than 1.6 million people, is rich in traditional Japanese tradition, stunning Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, peaceful koi ponds and canal-lined streets.
Walking among the streets and alleyways you are likely to experience a dichotomy of people working in both ancient professions (kimono weavers, sake brewers and even traditional geisha) and for modern technology-driven companies (Rohm semiconductor, Nissen Electric and Nintendo). The blending of old and new is a stunningly beautiful experience, especially when you can look out over the bustling city from the pristine, historic beauty of Kiyomizu-dera, an ancient Buddhist temple located on the hillside overlooking Kyoto.
Any chance I get to recall memories of my short, but wonderful, stay in Kyoto is always welcome. Obviously most of those memories are triggered by photographs and food. Wanting to share a little piece of Japan with my loved ones, I often jump at the chance to dine on Japanese food — sushi, which I’m slowly developing a taste for, all things teriyaki, ramen and hibachi.
So when I noticed a new Japanese steak house prepping to open on University Avenue a few months ago, I was delighted. Time to whet my appetite for fresh Japanese cuisine.
Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, which relocated from its previous location on University Parkway, is now in a smaller location than some of its local counterparts. The small interior, however, is large on creating a fun Japanese experience.
Walking into the restaurant you are given several options for dining — hibachi grill, seating at the sushi bar, traditional booths. There is also zashiki-style dining where low tables (with a sunken floor for your legs) are offered. Just be sure to remove your shoes before stepping into this traditional seating area.
Wanting a little entertainment with our dinner, my husband and I opted for the hibachi grill, featured prominently in the center of the restaurant. After being seated, selecting our menu items, and later being joined by another two couples, we were served our appetizers and drinks. My husband and I opted for the Royal Family feast for two featuring filet mignon, teriyaki chicken and shrimp. We also received an appetizer of egg rolls and pot stickers in addition to the miso soup and side salad.
Quickly devouring our appetizers and first courses, we then waited quite a while for our chef to arrive. My only complaint about the entire evening was that extended wait for our entrees, but all was quickly forgiven when our chef arrived and with lightning-fast knife work, rapid-fire wit and deft grilling skills served up perfectly cooked food.
There is something so delicious about freshly cooked fried rice and teriyaki-seasoned vegetables, served hot off the hibachi grill. It makes me wish I could eat there every night of the week.
And then all that glorious meat and seafood was served, piping hot. Perfectly pink shrimp, some bites successfully tossed into the mouths of the chef’s audience, juicy chunks of teriyaki chicken and those perfectly seared cuts of filet mignon that simply melted in your mouth. Dipping the veggies into the ginger sauce and the meat into the house “Yum Yum” sauce, as the chef described, even further enhanced the flavors.
While our dining experience may have been a little longer than anticipated, the food was delicious and well worth the wait. I now look forward to returning to Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar to enjoy some sushi while sitting around one of those traditional tables, hoping to relive just a few more of those Kyoto memories, this time with my husband by my side.
KYOTO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR
Where: 992 S. University Ave., Provo
Hours: 3:30-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 3:30-10:30 Friday and Saturday.
Prices: Sushi is buy one get one free and hibachi entrees range from $10.95 to $57.95 for lobster tails.
Info: (801) 375-2985