kodo is a nice trendy space in the Arts District with nice indoor and outdoor seating. It's spacious and the outdoor spaces uses slabs on concrete as furniture with hanging pieces of fabric above to soften the space. The food was fine, but not so memorable and came out painfully slow. We had four dishes that essentially took an hour to receive despite how small each item was. There's no flow and the meal felt cold. The UNI PASTA (34) was small for the price and fine. Was not wow-d and honestly didn't remember it. TSUKUNE (14) or chicken and pork, egg yolk, pickled shishito, yakitori sauce was good. Hearty, but not memorable either. Like one giant meatball with a raw egg on top. The raw items weren't impressive either. The Chili Sesame Amberjack (26) and summer madai (26) were so tiny and barely there. HANDROLL TRIO (22) essentially $7.33 per handroll were good, but by the time they got to our table, the seaweed has softened as opposed to crispy and fresh. CHEESE CAKE (14) - skip this. It was a standard. For a place like this, I was hoping for something more interesting. Quite a throw away for dessert. Kodo is great for the vibes and uncomfortable cold seating, but as for the food. It's expensive and not as interesting as I had hoped considering the hype. And the service was soooo slow and I was left hungry, I thought we were going to be late to our next event. My eating mate suggested we have second dinner. But honestly, I was still waiting for first-dinner. read more

Wow amazing Kudo goma expresso!! Heard about this place on instagram and had to bring my friends here to try it out. Brought my own cup (highly recommend it to save on plastic cups ending up in landfills), server was a bit fresh, was asking which drink would you recommend and he answered "well the signature drinks is right there". Attitude not necessary. More customer service preferred. Not all signature drinks are the best on the list. Friends got the matcha latte and iced tea, "strong" was their comment. Came on a day where it was just a few people, not crowded at all. Makes the zen ambiance much more tolerable. read more

kodo - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

LA is full of really cool aesthetic restaurants and Kodo is no exception. Industrial to the point of being bleak (which i love) and some really tasty food is a great combo. The sushi is excellent. I would go here again. read more

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I had my 21st birthday here and I couldn't have picked a more perfect place. The food was so high quality and yummy. I mean do you see this private dining room??? Absolutely divine. Everyone who helped us was so kind:) I will always remember this night!!! Thank you Kodo!!! read more

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Amazing! Was lucky enough to attend a dinner party at Kodo last week. The food and service were outstanding. Can't wait to go back. read more

kodo - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Incredibly impressed with kodo! We found kodo via an Instagram post and immediately decided to book it. The atmosphere & design were relaxing, minimalist, and spa-like in nature. The staff was friendly when we walked in and led us to a beautiful table in the courtyard. They have heaters and are very attentive to offering one to your table. Our server was fantastic, attentive, friendly, gave excellent recommendations and guidance on the menu - and didn't rush us! We're typically fast diners but were encouraged to relax and enjoy our post-dinner drinks. Drinks Lychee Martini with vodka was so light, crisp, and not too sweet. Sake was light and floral and they do an over-pour into a cute wooden box. Espresso Martini was the perfect post-dinner treat for my husband and the Umelicious was perfect for me! Food Crispy Rice - was one of the best crispy rice orders I've ever had, the mixed potato into the tuna which adds a great savory flavor. Croquettes - were a showstopper, you really taste the blue crab, but the fried eggplant marinara was the star for me. Ribeye - perfectly cooked medium rare, good fat, with a great dipping sauce. Risotto - so tasty, consistency semi-similar to congee, the pork belly was cooked beautifully melt-in-your-mouth, and I loved the curry sauce. Highly recommend for a unique menu, super friendly service, and a beautiful atmosphere! read more

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This little place was so hard to find lol! Come early to get street parking. Friend and I came for lunch and were so confused on where it was located. We arrived a little after 11am and walked in and thought we were in the wrong location because we only saw the coffee area. After looking around, I found an employee (not making coffee) and asked them about the restaurant. She asked us to wait a few minutes because they weren't ready yet. After a while, another employee came and escorted us through the side to their beautiful outdoor patio. I'm so glad the weather was perfect! Because we were the only ones there, he said we could walk around and take photos :) the entire area is so pretty, especially the private space for large groups. Our server was really nice and came to check on us often. Hot kuro gama latte - you can really taste the roasted sesame! Not too sweet, would recommend. Ichigo matcha - tasted pretty watered down, strawberry chunks were good tho. Furikake fries - highly recommend! It came with a spicy creamy sauce and every piece wad nice and crunchy. Someone came and took it away before we were finished eating:( Kaisen chirashi bowl - pretty tasty and filling Ribeye yakiniku donburi - tasted okay but I felt that the ribeye was overcooked a bit FYI their tipping system starts at 20%! read more

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We got here right as they opened, so service was a bit slow at first. However, once we got seated and ordered, they checked in with us frequently. I ordered a ribeye yakiniku donburi. The meat was very slightly dry but seasoned and cooked well, and the entire bowl was very hearty and had plenty of flavor. I'd definitely get this again! My wife got the Kaisen chirashi bowl. The fish pieces were diced much smaller than expected, but they were quite fresh and seasoned well with sauce and toppings on top of a bed of rice. Since it was quite early, it was pretty quiet and peaceful. Most workers were still setting up the bar and other areas. I'm interested in seeing how lively this place becomes at night, so we'll be sure to come back! read more

kodo - Kaisen chirashi bowl - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I made a reservation for valentine's day a month before since this place has been on my list for some time now. I chose this place because my girlfriend has allergies that affect her diet and their menu has a lot of dairy free options. When i made the reservation there was no indication of a pre fixe menu, but less than 24 hours before our valentine's day reservation I received a text stating that only a pre fixe menu would be available with little to no dietary accommodations. At this point it would obviously be too late for us to make a reservation at any other restaurant in LA. So we go and take our chances on this menu. When we arrived I spoke with Front of House about the situation and she said there was an error with their messaging system and that the chef could only accommodate by removing ingredients in one course and we would be out of luck for another course completely. She then asked us if we wanted to leave and go to another restaurant as if there were any available. Our server was wonderful and took note of the allergies, but when the food came out we came to find that we would be expected to share one plate/portion per course (they even cut the hand rolls in half) Aside from the bare bones salad and missing the dessert the food was great. We did feel a bit rushed as they kept bringing us the next course prior to us finishing the last. 300 dollars later we went and got pizza across the street. As lovely as the ambiance and our waitress was it's unlikely for us to want to come back given the amount of hiccups on an important reservation. I'm curious to see how they run their business on a regular day. read more

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Went for omakase ($120pp). Wataru was our friendly and attentive sushi chef. High quality fish, simply divine. So much variety. Good drinks, loved the lychee cocktail that they had. Wasn't super sweet like they tend to be. Loved the aesthetic of the restaurant, very classy and high end. Lots of marble and very minimalistic aesthetic. They even had wooden covers for the toilet seats in the bathroom. read more

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Although the Arts District has oodles of acclaimed restaurants, I had to try Kodo Restaurant because I was staying upstairs at the Kodo Hotel. I enjoyed a very nice lunch here. The restaurant, café and hotel are all beautifully designed with a Japanese aesthetic that is Zen and minimalist. All are housed in a century-old former firehouse. The restaurant is to the rear of the café, with a bar and smallish indoor dining area and a much larger outdoor area separated into 3 sections. I ordered the ribeye yakiniku don-buri, grilled ribeye and a hot spring egg (soft boiled) over rice. Delicious, and it came with a tasty miso soup. The raspberry herbal tea was also delish. I'd like t try their lunch burger and chicken bonito Caesar salad in the future, and their dinner menu also looks good. read more

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This place is delicious. My lady brought me here for my bday. Everything was delicious w/ exception to the ceviche. Only item we ordered that was mid. Steak was sizzling hot and cooked exactly how I specified. The plus is how Service is very attentive. Everyone is friendly and welcomes you as you walk in. My water was never empty. Someone always coming to make sure we were topped off and had what we needed. Oh! Before I forget! Best Osyters I've ever had. We had just came back from redondo beach pier the day before and had several oysters from all price range and the oysters we were served here topped all of those! So bomb! read more

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Modern-Minimalist Japanese fusion restaurant. A great date night. You'll be attracted to their entrance/lobby area, where their hotel is annex to the restaurant. You'll meet the reception and host to your table. Highly recommend to make reservations. As they guide you inside, you'll walk thru a short dark hallway to their bar and indoor dining room. They only have a few indoor seats, so majority you might be seated outside. All tables are situated around the bonfire and heaters. They offer a variety of app, sushi, and entree. I've ordered the a few raw items and hot plates, but definitely fresh and great toppings elevating the overall flavor. A surprise and delight from the chicken+pork patty that included shiso within. It helped balanced the meat and the raw egg on top. For entree, I've ordered the uni pasta where I found it slightly disappointing. The sauce was a watery, the shiso tempura was soggy, and recommend putting uni on the top --- making it as a signature dish. Overall great vibe and taste if you're looking at app and sushi. read more

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Aparently the ownership changed a couple of weeks ago and they didn't have any of the sushi menu anymore I was a little disappointed and wish I knew this before coming. We had the uni pasta, wagyu tataki, and the eggplant. My favorite was the eggplant, wagyu tataki was okay (some parts were a bit chewy for being wagyu), the uni pasta was probably the worst uni dish I've ever had (I love uni). It was way too salty and lacked any other flavor. The ambiance and service/staff was great though! read more

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The cafe that has all the aesthetics down to a T. Nestled in downtown LA, Kodō now offers a lunch menu that features Japanese fusion dishes with an elevated presentation. I was so captivated by the beauty of the entryway and the rustic dishware that I will now be using this as inspiration for my future kitchen. I ordered the omakase nigiri platter with a kingfish handroll. Normally, the waiter informs you of the type of fish the chef chooses if you order omakase, but they unfortunately did not so I can take my best guess of what I ate: tuna, yellowtail, salmon, scallop, and red snapper. The ratio of the sashimi to rice was perfect although rice was a bit on the drier side. I also tried some of the kaisen chirashi bowl which came with an assortment of toppings all covered in a yuzu soy sauce. It reminded me more of poke because of how the sashimi was all cut up into bite-size pieces. For my drink, I got the uji-kintoki which is a matcha that had a very peculiar taste that probably came from the red bean paste and it sadly didn't come with shiratama. The outdoor seating area is gorgeous and very spacious with tables for large groups and intimate seats for just two people. There's also an indoor seating area where I think I saw people working. read more

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We literally ordered almost everything on the menu! All the dishes sounded so good when our waiter reviewed the menu with us. I failed to get his name but he was patient and knowledgeable in every dish that was offered on the menu. I didn't get a picture of the salmon skin salad but that was just as good as the Caesar salad. We definitely ordered in family style. Plates are all shareable. The sushi and sashimi is all so fresh. Everything was so tasty and presentation was on point. I also have to add that their espresso martini is on my top 3! It was a perfect blend of rich, bold coffee flavor and smooth, creamy texture - I want another one right now as I write this review! read more

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All the amazing reviews are legit and well deserved. First class, from start to finish, space is beautiful, food and drink world class, some great vegan options as well. Brad oversees a perfect staff, server Kofi is awesome. A+ read more

If you've been looking for a Japanese cafe in LA, you definitely have to ROLL ROLL ROLL your way to @kodocafe ! In a sea of Americanized Japanese cuisine, @kodocafe makes MISO happy with their deep appreciation and dedication to Japanese culture. I was blown away by the tasteful and reverent aesthetics that reflected traditional Japanese zen while preserving the historical architecture of the fire station that the cafe is situated in. Equally impressive was the incredible freshness, execution, and dedication to authenticity to every dish we tried on their menu. You definitely can't go wrong with any of their ceremonial quality matcha drinks, and I would highly recommend trying both their sushi and cooked items! Featured here: Kaisen Chirashi Bowl Ribeye Yakiniku Don-buri Uji-kintoki Yuman Matcha read more

Matcha latte was a bit too bitter (which means the grade of matcha probably wasn't that high quality). It was also pretty pricey for a small cup of matcha. Feel like other places like Maru down the street have a better portion for the price. Giving 3 stars because the ambiance was definitely great and can see why people come here. I loved the furniture and decorations. The overall vibe was very aesthetic and nice for meeting up with a friend. It's definitely more of an Instagram pic type of place rather than come for good coffee/drinks place. Service was very friendly and nice though. Parking was kind of hard to find since there's only street parking for valet where bestia is. If you're lucky and come in the afternoon, you might be able to park where the bestia valet is before dinner starts. Otherwise might have to loop around the blocks nearby to find parking. read more

kodo - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The entrance of kodo is kind of hidden, located inside rykn cafe. I had reservations and was seated next to the bar inside, but they also have patio seating with a fireplace which seems very nice. I ordered the bluefin tuna crudo, yuzu salmon sashimi, toro, chef's selection sashimi platter, and grilled sea bass. All the flavors and combinations are so unique and surprisingly mixed very well together. It is more of a modern take on Japanese sushi. The presentation was beautiful and fish was all very fresh. However, the rice for the toro nigiri was a little dry and hard. I would go with the sashimis here instead. My favorites were the sea bass and the bluefin tuna crudo. The environment is romantic with dim lighting and great service. Love the classy minimalistic aesthetics. Overall, highly recommend for a unique modern Japanese food experience. read more

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I actually don't know what the hype is about. Yes, aesthetics are cool and truly fascinating to the eyes, but it ends there. Nothing more is attracting that makes me want to go back. Between Uji-Kintoki and Black Sesame Latte, I went with Black Sesame Latte because, if you know me, I am crazy for black sesame. Drink was $6 for a small 12 oz, and a 20% tip was pre-selected upon payment. I haven't seen that before. We, as customers, choose to give a tip, but here it was already selected, and you need to unclick it if you want to give less than 20% or no tip at all. Was there customer service? No. They made me wait for no reason. Busy talking about their personal life when I was right there wanting to order. The drink tasted really bad. There is absolutely no flavor. It was really bad that I was so mad that I came here. Besides the 'aesthetics' that people are initially attracted to, nothing else is inviting enough for me to praise or come back. There are many cafes nearby that are more worthwhile. Parking is bad too. Not sure if they have designated parking, but most likely street parking only. I parked two blocks away and walked over here, only to find out it wasn't a rewarding experience. read more

What a vibe here. Dark, moody and artsy. Came in with a reservation and was seated pretty quickly outside. We got a few hand rolls and crispy rice. Presentation was beautiful and it tasted amazing as well. Everything was very well balanced and the fish tasted fresh without being "fishy". We got the uni here as well and it was like butter. Definitely will be coming back. read more

kodo - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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A small hidden spot with an open ambience. It's right next to the street, so it's pretty noisy. Ichigo matcha: tastes like a strawberry milk with matcha. The strawberry is fresh! Kura Goma Amondo: their almond milk black sesame latte is super heavy on the black sesame. Not sweet at all, but also not overly bitter. It's slightly grainy. The drinks do take a while to come out, but they're made well. Free WiFi. No outlets. Overall a decent study spot. read more

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Loved the ambiance. It's minimalistic and modern yet inviting. Street parking around noon on a Sunday wasn't bad. Our drinks were both delicious, and I loved my Grilled Salmon Soba Salad for lunch. It was full of flavor and so refreshing on a warm day. It had a good chunk of salmon that was perfectly grilled, and the sweet peanut sauce was nutty with a slight sweetness without being overpowering. Unfortunately for my husband, he didn't get his lunch until I was about 3/4 done with mine. Even more unfortunately, his Ribeye Yakiniku Don-buri wasn't good. For one, the meat was very salty. The egg yolk was overcooked, while the egg white was somehow undercooked. The meat was tender, but that was about the only positive thing he had to say about the dish. read more

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There isn't enough good things to say about this place / incredible food / amazing service We got an array of different things everything being special in its own way Make sure you get the wagyu as well as the ceviche We ordered a few pieces of sashimi and all were outstanding but the yellowtail melts in your mouth For the main we split the steak and it was a perfect portion for a date night and was cooked medium rare just how it should be :) they use some kind of rub that brings out the flavor of the steak immaculately I don't drink but my girlfriend loved the 2 cocktails she ordered, one was some kind of pickle one and she said it was one of the best drinks she's had in a long time (she's a bartender too so, bartender approved) We ordered the cheesecake to finish and it was nice and burnt but was the most underwhelming thing of the night (not to say it's bad) just not as good as everything else. Finished things off with a shot of espresso which was delightful The ambiance is very rustic and raw concrete and simple absolutely loved it The menu is a bit confusing but the manager was there to come by the table and explain everything which I really appreciated If you're looking for a nice date night this is your spot, we drove from Orange County - we were there for a concert but stopped in and so glad that we did read more

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We came here for a birthday and we were not disappointed! The servers were very attentive and the dishes were familiarly Japanese with an elevated twist. We didn't order any sushi but they looked pretty plump from the other tables. Everything was definitely executed pretty well and plated beautifully, but this is definitely a pricy dinner. The entrees are meant to be family-style, so I recommended ordering an entree for each person you have minus one and then a couple of appetizers! Stand out dishes of the night was for sure the Salmon Skin Salad, Branzino, and Basque Cheesecake. What we ordered: Salmon Skin Salad, Crab Croquette, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Kakuni Pork Kale Risotto, Pork Rib, Squid Ink Mentai Cream Pasta, Whole Branzino, Basque Cheesecake Can Skip: Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Cocktails The spicy tuna crispy rice was not very crispy and too many mushy textures together and the cocktails are not very stand-out ish! I took off a star for the generally pricing of everything :) read more

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Had the most amazing meal at Kodo tonight! Reservation was easy, parking via valet was convenient in the area and located beside YangBan so you definitely won't miss it! Ambiance was perfect for a Saturday date night and service was quick, efficient and super friendly. We had the chef's omakase ($65) which included 10 chef's choice sushi - DEF DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT TRYING! We also got the salmon and brussel sprouts salad (10/10), the rib-eye (8/10) and the cod (10/10). Safe to say everything we tried was on point and to cap it off we had the strawberry basque cheesecake which rounded off our palates perfectly. Definitely a place to try when in the Arts District. read more

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Honestly my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles. Amazing service by the sweetest servers and don't even get me started on the ambiance and food. The fish is SO fresh and everything is so delicious. My favorites are the nigiri platter, hand roll trio, uni pasta. For dessert I go crazy for the chestnut tiramisu. I love this place and always recommend read more

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Their lunch menu and happy hours are solid and such banks for your bucks! Staff is friendly, their matcha drinks are aaammmazing! Highly highly recommend. Look for parking though on the street :P For lunch menu, recommend their: -omakase nigiri 7 pieces And for happy hour -gobo chips -any sushi rolls Drinks -uji kintoki -toasted coconut matcha ^tried both cold/hot drinks of each, i prefer hot better. Depth of taste and temperature are read more

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I'm a sushi addict as was so excited to try Kodo. I went for Dine LA, it might have been an off night, but I didn't love it and found it underwhelming. I found most of the food items forgettable, but did love the interior space -- it was stunning. Below is what was tried: Bonito Caesar - 3 Stars. Not bad at all, but truly forgettable. Smoked Bonito Sashimi -- 4 Stars. Beautifully presented, and quite good. Chef's Selection 3 Piece Ngiri - 4 1/2 Stars. Best item of the night. Fish was very fresh, packed with flavor, presented beautifully. Charcoal Grilled Prime Ribeye - 2 1/2 Stars. This was chopped into small slices and was rather dry and the meat a bit tough. Didn't enjoy this at all. Miso Marinated Sea Bass - 3 1/2 Stars. A little bland in flavor, though the fish was cooked well. **Dessert. We had ordered the basque cheesecake, and after waiting about 15 minutes after ordering it were told that the cake "fell" and was not able to be served. They offered to comp the dessert since we waited so long and got the miso chocolate tart that tasted like a brownie you'd get at a Vons -- nothing special at all. The space for this restaurant is stunning, located a few doors down from Bestia in the Arts District. The service was mostly good, outside of the service gap after ordering the dessert. Cocktails were great with a good selection of spirits & wine. Overall, I was left disappointed and a bit hungry. read more

kodo - Beautiful Interior, forgettable food. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

June 15th, 2023 experience: **Since I've gone, the cafe and restaurant have combined into Kodo cafe Cool coffee shop/wine + sake bar I went to in LA called Rykn Café (named after a Japanese Ryokan - an inn where travelers can experience Japanese culture), which I had heard about on Instagram. I'm a huge fan of the concept since I love my specialty coffee, matcha, natural wines and sake, so I wish I had more time to sit and relax on location to appreciate the minimalist aesthetics of the place. It's in the Arts District of LA, a short drive away from Little Tokyo, so if you're ever around there, be sure to check it out! There is also quite an interesting food menu for the restaurant that inhabits the backroom of the café, that starts at around 11:30am for lunch and offers many options of yummy Japanese dishes. The Yuzu espresso was a little too adventurous for me even though I love both things separately, so I would opt for the matcha yuzu lemonade next time since I know those go super well together. read more

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This cafe/restaurant is on the bottom floor of the kodo hotel and has a Japanese-inspired design. The cafe portion is off to the side and has a few tables. My friend and I stopped by and ordered the Kuro Goma Latte (black sesame latte). The barista was nice and served us quickly. We couldn't really taste the black sesame flavoring and the coffee itself was pretty average. The open concept aesthetic was nice and peaceful. The restroom was very clean and modern, which is always appreciated. Parking is available on the street. We probably won't come back for drinks, but the food at the restaurant portion looks promising. read more

kodo - Kuro Goma Latte - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This place is located in downtown manufacturers district. If you haven't been to DT the last couple of years. There are lots of trendy restaurants in the area. They have valet parking, the price is around $15 - $20. It's cheaper than getting a ticket, tow away or broken into by the homeless. The restaurant ambiance is cool & trendy. Kind of NYC SoHo district type of establishment. The service and food is excellent, but get ready to drop some Benjamins. This place is not what u call affordable. We had uni pasta, it had 3 uni with pasta the size of ur fist for $40. The tuna on rice crackers it had a seving of 3 on a stone plate, nice presentation and delicious $30. We also had a couple other trendy dishes and a $100 bottle of sake. The sake was smooth and had a good floral taste to it. It was better deal to get a good bottle than a couple of less expensive sake. The sake wasn't even the high end sake. It was only the mid-range. At the end of the night. A few Benjamins fell out of the wallet to cover the night out. This is a cool place to take a date if u want to impress her and maybe get lucky .. :) .. read more

We came in and ordered omakase-style, hoping for a relaxed and enjoyable experience. The food was just okay--some dishes were a bit too salty for our taste, and nothing really stood out. What really affected our experience, though, was the service. Our server made us feel rushed and pressured to order more, even after we clearly said we were satisfied with what we had and would consider adding more later. It made the meal feel uncomfortable rather than enjoyable. Not sure if we'd come back--there are definitely other spots with better hospitality and a more welcoming vibe read more

Last night, I got the spicy tuna on crispy rice. To be honest, the tuna tasted old. It was not good. Such a disappointment. It was my first time here. The ambiance was great. I would recommend the Brussels sprouts. They weren't enough to bring me back sadly but if you're going and want a veg, they're worth a try. In past iterations on yelp, the spicy tuna was split into more, smaller crispy rice beds. Assuming the tuna was fresh and not old or expired, I think this approach would work better. We ended up cutting the rice patties in half anyway read more

this place is close to my work so i've had the chance to come here quite often over the past 2 years. recently had the chance to dry their dinner menu (which changes time to time), and it was a multi-course dinner with an intimate and cozy vibe, amazing food, and even better drinks. - dinner course menu: not a crazy amount of food which was totally fine for me and my 3 gf's, but something to note if others are tryna grub. and love the fact that they switch up the seating outside sometimes, and also inside by the cafe area. - lunch course menu: i always ordered the grilled salmon with soba noodles (idr the exact name of the dish sorry) - but always so tasty, and not too heavy. it is a bit of a lot of food (imo), so i usually end up having to take a bit to take home. one thing to note: this particular dish may take a bit to come out due to the grilled salmon, so if you are on a time crunch or only have an hour lunch break for work, just keep that in mind. - cafe menu: cold brew hojicha is earthy, which is right up my alley. but my friends and i love to customize our drinks a lot, so sometimes ill switch it up for an iced matcha latte with black sesame. it's so good that sometimes i have to order a 2nd one on my way out lol. read more

I'm leaning towards 3.5 stars but I'm definitely willing to try Kodo again. I think we might have visited on an off day. My bestie and I arrived on a Saturday just before 11 AM and were lucky to find parking in the back. The lunch menu wasn't available until 11, so we ordered drinks to relax before the restaurant opened. There was only one lady working at the front, but she was really sweet and clearly trying her best to balance taking and making orders. I ordered the strawberry matcha latte with oat milk, and my friend ordered the sencha (I think). The strawberry matcha wasn't too sweet and definitely not like your typical run-of-the-mill boba shop drink--you could really taste the natural strawberries hehe For lunch, I ordered the yakiniku don, and my friend ordered the omakase nigiri platter. We waited outside, but there was an unpleasant trash-like smell, likely from the parking lot next door. It wasn't overpowering, but it did detract from the atmosphere. We waited quite a while for our meals, about 20-25 minutes. My yakiniku was served before my friend's omakase, which I found a bit disappointing as I would have preferred if we were served at the same time. My friend really enjoyed her omakase and said it perfectly satisfied her. Unfortunately, I found the yakiniku don lacking in flavor. I'm very familiar with Japanese cuisine and no stranger to donburi, but this dish was missing something--probably a bit more sauce? Overall, I had higher hopes for Kodo, but I understand this might have been an off day. I'd love to return and try their dinner menu. My friend and I both agreed the interior design was beautiful, and we'd love to have a double date here next time with our partners. read more

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Kodo is a beautiful minimalist restaurant with quality sushi, decent service, and a nice outdoor seating area. They have omakase by reservation only but you can create your own experience or combine some sashimi platters and pastas. The sushi platter was a highlight as you get a nice assortment of fresh fish. The risotto was a nice way to get something heavier in the mix. And the crispy tuna was a highlight for me - really liked the flavor of the carb layer as it reminded me of a soy sauced scallion pancake with tasty tuna on top. read more

There was a recent change in ownership, chef, and menu. Unfortunately, I think it's impacted the overall quality of our dining experience. The uni pasta I loved is now gone. The waygu ribeye and crispy tuna was def the highlight. The basque cheesecake is also a big let down from the one we had before. The drink pours were tiny. Hopefully management will catch on and make some better changes. We'd love to see it back to how it used to be. read more

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Walking into Kodo is a vibe - sleek design, European feel patio, it's all perfectly chic. Service was stellar. A special shoutout to Liz - our new favorite human. She was warm and attentive. Our server was equally fantastic, confidently fluent in every dish on the menu. When we asked for a recommendation, he cheekily responded, "everything", which, while not exactly the guidance I hoped for, made sense after his spot-on descriptions of each dish we ordered. Food highlights? The gobo chips were a crunchy, addictive, sweet and salty snack I'd love to have at home..daily. The salmon with peach and burrata was a bit bland, but the oyster mushrooms? Pure umami bliss. The prime ribeye had good flavor but was a tad chewy. Toro (fatty tuna): melt in your mouth explosion of fatty tuna bliss. Kuro dara (black cod): lightly seared and oh so buttery. Suzuki (sea bass) and hotate (scallop) also very delicious. Dessert - peach tiramisu - didn't wow me, but overrall, I'd rate the food a solid 7.8 and the service was an impressive 9.4. read more

kodo - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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