This is the most thoughtful restaurant in the KC area right now. The ambience is a lovely Japanese farmhouse feel and the attention to detail is clear throughout the restaurant. Every menu item feels very intentional and well executed. The offerings on the cocktail menu are fabulous. Both the ube and lychee cocktails are delicious. My partner and his mom both had a sake flight, each offering was delicious and different in offering. If you like sake you will definitely find one you like with this flight! They both ended up liking a yuzu sake and split a bottle, the finish was sweet, crisp and perfect for the Kansas City heat. I started with an espresso martini, the coffee flavor was strong and sweet and I was a fan! During our meal I opted for a martini corner dirty vodka martini and as a dirty martini enthusiast I was very pleased and will continue to recommend! I finished off with a matcha martini that was sweet, creamy and smooth and paired perfectly with our tempura banana! Speaking of food, the star of the show, we genuinely had only good bites here as usual. We sat at the bar on the corner, it was a nice seat that captured the energy of the restaurant, busy but somehow tranquil. Our bartender was great as well as all the staff behind the bar and host stand! I especially appreciate the patience of our bartender, we came and ordered many rounds of small plates, (you should do the same!) and he was nothing but enthusiastic and helpful. To start we had some furikake fries and shishito peppers. There are a lot of exciting and multilayed dishes on the menu, I think these two humble sides though really pack a punch and show that everything on the menu brings it's A game. From there the food ordering escalated as everyone in my group was over the top excited. The stand outs for me were, the dry aged salmon nigiri, the toro hand roll, the crab apple roll and my group was especially blown away by the scallops and are still talking about them a week later! Noka is in my opinion, really bringing a new level of dining to Kansas City. I'm not over stating it to say it is one of a kind in this city and everyone should try to get in. read more

Noka - Japanese Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

It's been a few years and my partner and I decided to come back to Noka and see what had changed! Same great atmosphere and vibe, and the staff were very friendly. We were excited to try the new sushi and seafood options from the menu, as well as retrying some of our old favorites. When we walked in, we noticed there are a lot more tables, making the space a bit louder than our precious visits. That's great, though, that the place is packed! We also were a bit disappointed with the flavors of the food and drinks. Our first visit was amazing a few years ago, and this visit, even the things we remembered loving were a bit worse. The sushi and sashimi were okay, but also seemed less flavorful than expected. While we were excited to come back, the visit left us thinking that Noka may not be on our places to visit for a bit. read more

Noka - Miso scallop pasta - Japanese Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Beautiful place though you cannot figure out how to get in. Food way over seasoned and over rated. My crab pasta side was cold. Not worth taking home at the end of the meal Brussels burnt to bits, calamari so over seasoned I couldn't eat it and I was hungry I am very disappointed Server Levi, outstanding read more

We came here for dinner to celebrate my husband's promotion and it was absolutely perfect! The vibes in here are great, super relaxed and classy it felt like a spa I don't even know how to explain it lol. They made us feel special as soon as we walked in by acknowledging the occasion and being ready to help with the menu. Our server was great in helping us navigate the menu and giving us suggestions. Literally everything we had was 10/10 - SO delicious you can't go wrong with anything!!! It was also a walk away from our apartment so made it even better. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Noka is such a great Kansas City spot. I hadn't been back in about a year, so it was such a nice surprise when Sam remembered me right away. The service was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely personal, which made the experience even better. It's always nice when a restaurant remembers you and makes you feel welcome coming back. Definitely a spot I'll return to! read more

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Amazing atmosphere, and definitely worth a visit. Little out of my comfort zone but plenty of offerings to ease me in. The sushi taco and crab campanelle were fantastic. read more

Noka - Crab Campanelle - Japanese Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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I think the service was good. The vibes inside were really nice. It's a very moody and dimmed atmosphere in the evening. I think it's a very romanticized place. However the only thing that I absolutely loved here was the lychee martini. Everything else just wasn't worth the price. Nothing is flavorful or jaw dropping. I would only recommend coming for the drinks! read more

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Having my birthday dinner here was an experience. The food was delicious and different. We sat by the kitchen so we got to see the food getting prepared and we were offered a tasting of multiple dishes. The general manager was sweet and came over to chat us up and made sure we had a good experience. read more

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Fancy vibe Japanese restaurant in KC, very pretty decor, good for a special occasion. The bathroom is a must-visit (lol). My family loves the sushi taco, we also loved the filet, shishito peppers, sweet potato jewels, crab campanelle, and togarashi spiced brownie (def save room for dessert!). Yummy mocktails (we loved the zen garden and coconut water). read more

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We went for a friends birthday after seeing good reviews. We had a reservation so we're seated quickly. There was some nice mood lighting and the decor was definitely unique, setting the vibe. The drink menu was extensive and the food options were plentiful. There were also some off-menu specials our server shared with us. Our server helped us make our decisions. Everything we had was great. My favorites were the edamame toast and the brussel sprouts. The toast was thick and while I didn't have a huge sourdough flavor, it was perfectly salty, the goat cheese was creamy and the edamame added some fun texture. Overall we had a great dinner! read more

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Noka was great! A bit hit or miss with the food, but overall a great experience. The noodle dish with prawns was easily my favorite--super flavorful and comforting. The drinks were delicious, and the vibes are really cute and intimate, perfect for a chill night out. Service was a little slow at times, but nothing terrible. I'd definitely come back again, especially on Thursdays when they do half-off sushi--such a great deal. Their happy hour specials are solid too. Overall, a fun spot worth revisiting! read more

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Eric R. and I had a very nice experience here last night. We came early sans resy to have a "pre-theatre" meal before the comedy show at Midland Theater. We sat at the bar and it was happy hour! I had a glass of sake which had yuzu and floral notes. Eric R. got a Sapporo on draft. We ordered the spicy tuna rice cakes with leek hay, toro tartare make your own hand rolls, sushi donuts, night market sichuan chicken wings, and the scallop nigiri. The food was all very good. I had no idea what to expect with the sushi donuts. They were like arancini balls stuffed with sushi rice and topped with salmon roe. The wings had a sichuan peppercorn dry spice blend with brown sugar and five spice powder. We asked for a dipping sauce and were given house made chili crunch for additional spicy deliciousness. The chili crisp had black beans in it too, mmm! The scallop nigiri was a delicious way to end as it was grilled and full of flavor. The menu is quite extensive and there are seasonal options so we would definitely return. Everyone at the bar provided excellent service too. The restaurant is beautiful! Also, there are purse hooks at the bar (but inexplicably not in the bathroom). You can make a reservation on OpenTable which is recommended for peak dining hours especially on weekends. Itadakimasu! read more

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We came here for a birthday dinner and the vibe was amazing. Its a more intimate dim setting. We thought the food was good and unique, will have to come back and try more I know they add new things to the menu. read more

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My husband and I visited Noka for our anniversary, and from the moment we sat down, it felt like an experience rather than just dinner. First, the aesthetics are an easy 11/10. Every detail feels intentional, from the plating and presentation to the atmosphere itself. As someone who appreciates design, Noka absolutely delivers. Food-wise, there were two undeniable stars of the night: * Wagyu Nigiri (100/10) - One of the best bites I've ever had. Rich, buttery, perfectly balanced, and worth ordering every single time. * Crab Campanelli (11/10) - Absolutely incredible. Comfort food elevated to fine dining quality. If I came back tomorrow, I'd order this again without hesitation. Other highlights: * Filet (10/10) - Beautifully cooked, incredibly flavorful, and paired with perfectly prepared bok choy. Everything on the plate felt intentional. * Night Market Wings (8.5/10) - The quality was excellent. The sweet heat profile just wasn't exactly my personal preference, but that's purely subjective. If you enjoy spicy food with a lingering, slightly numbing heat, you'll probably love these. * Shrimp Tempura Roll (8/10) - Very good and executed well. * Tuna Roll (7/10) - Good, but it was the least memorable item compared to some of the standout dishes we ordered. Noka excels at creating a complete dining experience. Beautiful atmosphere, thoughtful presentation, excellent service, and several dishes that genuinely surprised us. For a special occasion, date night, or anyone looking for an elevated dining experience in Kansas City, it's absolutely worth a visit. read more

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First time here this week and already want to go back. The staff were so helpful- point your GF options for me. We ordered six sushi rolls and the sake flight. The sake flight cam with a card describing the notes and what it pairs well with. The interior is stunning. The bar is picturesque. You have the option to sit at the chef counter or the sushi counter. They have fantastic long table for large parties. Tuesday is happy hour all day and Thursday evening is half price sushi. Another fabulous spot from Chef Amante. read more

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I finally managed to remember to take photos of a few dishes this time at Noka, before shoving every delicious bite in my mouth! We reserved a spot at the kitchen bar and had the extreme pleasure of hanging out with chef Megan and head chef and owner Amante. Both are warm, friendly, down-to-earth people, and as you'd expect by the quality of food they crank out, they are super passionate about their craft. Chef Amante even whipped up something unique for us! A hand roll of toro with lots of yummy things - each bite had everything! A little sweet, a little sour, a little crunch and a little heat. It was perfect. Speaking of perfect I don't want to take away from the rest of the plates and entrees we had - they were all amazing... Pictured: mushroom roll, chef's hand roll, sushi taco (I could eat 6 I bet!), and their calamari. We also had the lamb entree and the tempura banana for dessert. No photos of those, sorry. After all that crazy delicious food, and being treated like an absolute rock star by the whole staff, I felt the bill I paid wasn't too crazy and worth every penny! If I absolutely HAD to say something poor in critique about Noka, my only note would be their dang door - in which I've seen a few people either stand a few seconds trying to find the door handle, or even try it, not be able to open it (it's heavy) and start walking around the building trying to find the entrance. It is a cool door though. My partner and I love Noka and we try to dine there at least once a month. read more

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Somehow two years old and my friends are just now bringing me here??? I had never been, which felt irresponsible. We sat at the bar and the bartender was excellent. We went sashimi and nigiri-heavy, as one should, and the scallop nigiri sealed the deal for me. I'm deeply loyal to any restaurant that does scallop right. Pro tip do the brownie and the shoestring fries for dessert. A little salty and sweet action. read more

Noka - Japanese Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

This place was very unique with a great ambiance. I felt like I was in LA or NYC. The menu had a lot of creative items, but I wish the descriptions were a little bit better. For example, the sushi donut did not say it was fried or hot, we assumed it was just shaped like a donut. The burger was our favorite and half off on Wednesdays!! The furikake fries were also amazing. The sushi rolls were good but underwhelming. I also enjoyed the vegetable tempura. We were not a fan of the calamari. Service was good, but it took us a very long time to get a check. Our waiter was very nice and helpful but we were often looking around for him when we needed something. Overall, we will likely be back but maybe try some new dishes. read more

Noka - Sushi donut - Japanese Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

For starters, I looked into places in KC with a strong reputation for sushi. I come from the east coast which is hard to beat in seafood to begin with, but I know now why it stands far and away the best for sushi or sashimi. To interpret on sushi and sashimi, to me, is to respect the culture it comes from; and, of course the chef needs to add their own flair and interpretation to their creations. The worst of the night: toro handroll by far was the biggest disappointment. Toro is already hard to come by and a delicate slice of fish. To chop it up into ceviche style cubes and dump lemon on it completely ruined this. Not to mention it was disassembled in a molcajete, so I had to make the handroll myself which was so shockingly awful. Putting what was essentially a ceviche with a crema (?), that was nowhere described in the menu by the way, into a piece of nori myself for 32$ was my most humiliating choice of the night. The second worst was the salmon nigiri with another cream, in the form of crème fraiche, to the bottom of the rice. It just overpowered the subtlety of the fish and reinstated why cream and sushi do not mix for me. The sashimi I ordered was the albacore which said seared with cucumber and a "chili water" which was a green sauce dumped onto the plate. The albacore was over seared and did not spark any reminiscent idea of sashimi to me. Nothing close to raw and a little tough on the edges to chew. The star of the night and my only good choice was the scallop nigiri which was seared perfectly, melted in your mouth, and was delicious. Service was great they checked in regularly and were very quick to refill glasses and ask for additional ordering and just to see how I was doing. Ambiance was fine, however playing through an entire album of Frank Ocean the entire time I was there was a choice. Overall, the staff was friendly and I left full but there was a certain lack of appreciation for the subtleties that sushi and sashimi bring that would make me warn anyone coming here to look into other cooked options on the menu and not to spend a night at the sushi bar. read more

Noka - Left: Tuna nigiri with olive tapenade, salmon nigiri with lemon harissa and crème fraiche (yuck). Right: spicy tuna roll with truffle - Japanese Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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First off, great place for a date night very intimate, very upscale feel. menu was unique and had many options. Our waitress was very down to earth, helpful and kind. We got 6 shareable plates. The sushi was very good I was very excited about the gator roll, but because of all the hot sauce on the roll I lost taste of the gator. The truffle tuna roll was simple and delightful. The Calamari was cooked perfect lightly fried, had a good taste but you better like lime. The scallop pasta was pretty good too, you get 3 little scallops and the noodles seemed homemade. For dessert we had a very eye pleasing fried banana dish that was very tasty. overall great place, lots and lots of flavor in every dish some I wish they would tone down for my liking. read more

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This is my third time visiting Noka! Each time I like to try something different. This time it was Wagyu burger along with a horse feather! The burger was flavorful and the Korean bbq glaze made it even better! The staff were very kind and offered great menu suggestions for sharing among our group. The ambiance is definitely what makes this place a top contender to keep coming back! read more

Noka - Wagyu burger - Japanese Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Noka is my go to spot to celebrate anything and everything. It's upscale menu and farm to table aesthetic pair perfectly for the most wonderful meal you'll have in kc! Everything tastes like it was made with so much love. I recommend this spot to anyone visiting kc. This place IMPRESSES! The service is always top notch and the food is one of a kind! read more

Recently went for the half-priced Sushi on Thursday, but I definitely plan on going back to enjoy the impeccable ambiance, tasty bites, and friendly service! read more

Noka - Truffle tuna role, Crab Apple Roll - Japanese Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Service and ambiance were good. The dirty martini was literally the worst martini I've ever had. Probably half olive juice. The scallop pasta tasted like nothing. It was horrible. The wings and calamari were also flavorless. The only thing good was the sashimi. I'm so disappointed. We didn't even stay for dessert but I'm sure that's also bad. read more

Nokaaa was fantastic! Let's start with the vibes chic, contemporary, and beautifully romantic with a touch of Oaxacan flair. The interior feels stylish yet cozy, perfect for a night out. The menu is simple but thoughtful, and the portions are great for sharing (pretty generous for normal appetites!). We started off with the green apple roll absolutely delicious and super unique. Tip: drizzle the sauce all over the roll it elevates the flavor big time! For the main course, we had the steak filet with bok choy and a side of Brussels sprouts. The steak was so tender it literally cut like butter oh my goodness! The Brussels were perfectly sweet and salty easily one of my favorite sides of the night. The cocktails were also fantastic refreshing and well-balanced. I ordered their Elevated Gin & Tonic, and it was so delicious crisp, aromatic, and perfectly crafted. And then came dessert... wow. A banana deep-fried in tempura with salted caramel miso sauce and torched marshmallow fluff. It was a heavenly trio I didn't even know I needed! Service was top-notch the owner/manager stopped by our table multiple times to check in, which made the experience feel really personal. If you love sushi, creative dishes, and great vibes, Nokaaa is a must-try! read more

My boyfriend had been raving about this place, so he took me the last time I came in town to visit. Such a cool place and concept. All you can eat. Order at your table from a tablet. Robots delivering your order. Servers checking in here and there. Our table was so full with some of everything. We definitely pigged out. He loves this place, especially now that there is a new location less than 10 minutes from him. I'd definitely go back. The eel was my favorite! read more

Wife and I wanted a different place for our 32nd Wedding Anniversary. We normally go to Eddie V's, Capitol Grill, McCormick & Schmick's (excuse me if incorrectly spelled) etc.. We wanted to try something different for this occasion. We happened upon Noka. We were not disappointed! From the atmosphere/vibe, the decor - very suitable, the appetizers, salad, entrée delicious! The Cod, the steak, the sides.....outstanding. Our server Avery - SUPERB! This is a place that will become one of our favorites! People keeping secrets..... read more

Noka - Japanese Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Very cute hidden gem, Its Japanese inspired, all the liquor is from Japan. Which made it more interesting for me. The drinks were amazing! Warring they do switch up the menu so if someone recommends something from here act fast! I came here for the salmon and it was no longer available. Bummer I know :( However the cod,wings and fried rice made up for it all! Highly recommend coming here . The staff was top tier with their hospitality, from the moment I walked in. read more

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I LOVE NOKA!!!!!! Noka is probably my favorite restaurant in the city (well probably tied with the Antler Room.. depends on what I want lol). The food is always fresh. The ambiance is exquisite. The tableware is beautiful. They have cool rocks! Honestly it's so good. The only thing I don't like about Noka is the service can be spotty. We came in right before a group of about 15 people.. and while the service during dinner was great, after it was pretty bad and slow. But I also understood because our waitress did have a lot on her plate. Next time I'd love to branch out and try different things! read more

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This place is legit, I'm driving home to California and didn't expect to find killer sushi in Missouri. Sit at the bar and talk to the staff, can't really go wrong with anything. I'll be hitting this place every time I'm in KC. Paulene is super cool. The restaurant itself is also a cool building next to a bunch of bars. read more

I went here for my bday dinner. I DID MY HW for this dinner ok. I look at reviews, TT, etc... As a sushi lover. I DO NOT mind paying for real good sushi at all. That being said, I had really high expectations for this place based on the reviews and the amount of advertising it has in TT and yelp. The place is really cute....aesthetically wise.... cute for some pics and the vibe is really nice. They got that on POINT. Food was NOT all that, specially, for the price they have. I ordered the wings, a sushi roll (don't remember which one) but it was so dry and flavorless and bland not even the soy sauce could give it that kick it does. Had 2 lychee martinis they were OK. I've had better. Overall, I prefer a place that focuses a lot more on the food than the place. The service was mid, not great but not bad either. Conclusion: I wouldn't come back here . There's way BETTER out there. read more

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If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Kansas City, NOKA really delivers from the moment you arrive. The entrance is hidden like a speakeasy, which immediately makes it feel exclusive and like you found something special. Inside, the build out is dialed in. It has that perfect mix of rustic and modern, with a warm and elevated feel that makes you want to stay and enjoy the whole experience. The service stood out just as much as the food. The servers were on point, gave great recommendations, and even suggested places for us to check out after dinner. That kind of attention and hospitality goes a long way. The food was unreal. The scallops and the wagyu nigiri was next level. We ended up ordering multiple rounds of both because it was that good. NOKA is not just a place to eat, it is an experience. Definitely a spot I would go back to and recommend to anyone in Kansas City. read more

My daughters made a reservation to celebrate one of their birthdays, and the entire experience was beyond disappointing. To start, they brought their own birthday cake and were charged a $30 "cake fee." That should have been explained clearly ahead of time because it came as a complete surprise. Even though they had a reservation, they still had to wait 30 minutes to be seated. Once they were finally seated, they had three different waitresses, all of whom were incredibly rude. My daughters are respectful girls who always say "please" and "thank you," yet they were ignored when trying to order and treated with an attitude the entire time. They also felt like the staff was constantly watching them for no reason. To make matters worse, they were told they couldn't take pictures for the birthday celebration, while the two tables right next to them were allowed to take pictures without any issues. It felt unfair and inconsistent. When the food arrived, two of the girls had ordered sushi tacos. Instead of serving each order separately, both tacos were placed on one plate. When they politely explained that each person needed their own plate, the waitress acted argumentative. One of the girls even asked to order an additional taco, and the waitress refused. This was one of the worst restaurant experiences they've ever had. A birthday celebration should be enjoyable, not stressful and upsetting. Management seriously needs to address the customer service at this restaurant because no guests should be treated this way. We definitely won't be coming back, and I hope no one else has to experience what they did. read more

I finally made it to NOKA, and I'm wondering why I waited so long! This place is truly next level. NOKA serves contemporary Japanese cuisine, offering an amazing ambiance that immerses you in the experience from the moment you walk in. Whether you're enjoying an intimate evening near the bar or sitting at the chef's counter for a front-row view of the live fire kitchen, there's something for everyone here. The food? Absolutely phenomenal. The drinks? Perfectly crafted. The attention to detail and the exceptional service? Unmatched. If you're in Kansas City, do yourself a favor and check out this fine dining gem. It's the perfect date spot and has officially earned a spot on my list of favorites! My absolute favorite dish was the scallops that is a MUST!!! read more

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The restaurant is very beautiful and unique. The staff were very attentive and friendly. The food came out very fast after ordering. My favorite thing was the shrimp tempura roll followed by the toro tuna hand rolls. read more

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Yelpers were on point again. This spot in Midtown is all the things : swanky, urban, cool, sexy and delicious. Popped in with a friend on a Friday during happy hour. Great bar specials. Gf and vegetarian options. Will definitely be back. I want to try everything on the menu. Tip: reservations are must. Noka has reverse happy hour. read more

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Everything about this restaurant blew us away. The sleek and modern interior made me feel like I was at a retreat. The food was creative and beautifully plated, and the cocktails were well-crafted and spirit-forward. We sat at the bar and got to meet Seth, the most incredible bartender we've encountered. He was knowledgeable, personable, and fully engaged. The Sakura and Lychee cocktails were both pleasant and refreshing. The Hamachi Sashimi was fantastically presented on a slab of rock. I wished I could order another round because it was just that delicious. The rice cakes were fried to perfection, and topped with savory chunks of salmon and tuna--so good! I originally wanted to order the duck, but they ran out, so I ordered the short rib instead. It was also superb. Good cut of meat, well-seasoned, and the mashed potatoes were so light and fluffy. read more

The ambiance at Noka is very nice and unique. The food could have been better especially for the price range. It was good but not great. The truffle tuna role was rather bland but the scallop pasta was better. The service was a little slow but overall good. A little mixup with sushi rolls but the sever was quick to fix it for us! My rating is truly 3.5, I just wanted the food to be better. read more

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Some hits and misses at my first time at Noka. Overall the interior and aesthetic is 10/10. It's a cozy modern vibe without being too cold. Service was pretty lackluster. We were served waters then we sat for about 10 minutes with no server coming over. Finally the owner/head chef came over and introduced himself. Great guy - walked us through the menu and his favorites. I appreciate his foresight to check on guests and notice when people aren't being serviced. Based on some of his recommendations and what sounded good to us we went with the scallop nigiri, shrimp toast, ribeye, miso black cod, Brussel sprouts, and the crab Campanelle. The scallop nigiri exceeded my expectations as I don't usually like scallop... However, they did torch it a little too much. It was also torched on the rice, which I thought was unnecessary. Next we got the shrimp toast. I've had this at other restaurants before and it was delicious... This one just tasted of straight up oil. It was disappointing. I think they need to work on this one a little bit. Then we got the brussels sprouts. These have potential but they definitely needed salt... The flavor was kind of one note and but I will say they were charred to perfection. So at this point, we were kind of feeling like most of these things were misses.... Until we got to the entrées, the ribeye and the miso black cod were outstanding... It also came out with the crab dish, which was basically like mac & cheese. But the best kind you've ever had. It was almost giving Kraft but Michelin star lol. Overall it balanced out middle of the road for us because it was pretty pricey for everything. However I would definitely come back for the entrees cause those shined. read more

I'm a Travel Nurse from Louisiana. Noka is my first restaurant to visit while on assignment. The vibe of this restaurant was beautiful! Loved the decor and the atmosphere! Wishing the bathroom had more lighting because I would've spent half my time taking gorgeous selfies! The service was great as well all the staff were hospitable and the food was bought out in a timely fashion. Started off with the UBE cocktail, which was basically a margarita nice and refreshing. Now let's get to the food! I'm a Louisiana girl so when I saw the alligator roll on the menu I just had to order! My only critique would be for them to use less hot sauce it really overpowered the roll and made the alligator hard to taste so I was let down a bit. The shrimp tempura was good but that's hard to really mess up anyway. The calamari was delicious! The Wagyu burger was perfect and juicy! I was open to trying the night market wings though the sweetness with the brown sugar was off putting didn't really like that at all lol. Lastly the cheesecake we ordered had the cutest little topping of cotton candy! I give this place a solid 4/5 stars Perfect for a girls night to eat & yap, very intimate for a date night with your partner! read more

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