Kumo Sukiyaki Restaurant ( Alexandra Rd ) — Restaurant in Richmond

Kumo Sukiyaki recently opened their second location here on Alexandra Rd. We were hopeful of this location being better than the original location, given the current 5 star review on google and seeing so many influencers visit. However, seeing the menu offerings, we quickly realized it might not be as good as it’s currently being presented online.

This all you can eat style sukiyaki restaurant offers 3 price tiers: Basic, Silver, and Gold. We opted for the Silver tier which was $38.99 per person. I believe the basic was around $28, and Gold was $58. This price did not come with the sukiyaki broth, which was an additional $9.99.

We decided on the silver option, but later come to find out that the only difference between basic and silver, was one additional choice of meat.

To be clear, basic had only two choices of meat: pork belly and fatty short rib. Silver had the addition of AAA+ Top Blade Eye. This made me wonder how many additional options the Gold Wagyu tier came with, and the answer was only two additional “wagyu” options (not A5).

On top of the limited choice of meat, we come to find that many of the other menu items were sold out. For example: udon noodle, mochi, and a few vegetable choices. The menu seemed bare-boned to begin with, and the sold out items made it feel even more bare.

We would have appreciated a staff member telling us about the difference in menu options more clearly when we came in, and what was out of stock for the day, rather than being disappointed as we scrolled their iPad menu.

The service was not great initially (explanation of menu and sauces), but the staff members did come by our table frequently, every time we had an empty plate that needed to be removed.

At the very end when the server brought us our bill, we were advised of a promotion they had going on, where they would give us a 5% discount if we left a 5 star review. This explained why this location has a much better review than the other. However, we rejected this offer, as we did not feel comfortable posting a fake review in exchange for $4.40 off our total bill ($87.97). As we said “no it’s okay”, it appeared that the server had to go back to the register to re-adjust the bill to remove the discount. We couldn’t believe that the server automatically assumed we would take this offer in exchange for leaving a fake 5 star review.

The worst part of all, is that my fiancé and I had terrible stomach aches all night after eating this. We eat hot pot often, but never experiences this type of discomfort.

Kumo Sukiyaki needs to step up their quality, menu offerings, and service, if they wish to remain in this competitive Richmond/Vancouver...

I chose to try this location for its nice-looking ambiance, but the experience was far worse than my previous visits to Kumo.

I called to reserve a table and ask if the menus were identical at both locations, and was told yes they are, but this location does not have nearly as many food options. No all you can drink options either, only $1.99 soft drink cans.

Our soup was becoming very thick and oily very quickly. When we asked to get a new pot or pour out our old soup, servers refused. They handed us a single small metal spoon to handle it ourselves. We had to request a small bowl to put the oil. They offered an even smaller disposable spoon as an alternative when we asked for a bigger spoon or ladle.

The food quality was overall good, but on some plates the edges of the meat were freezer burnt and some plates had very old looking meat.

Service was simple, curt, and cold. Staff stood watching us leave after our meal, and said nothing. At last call, we ordered our dessert at the same time as our last round of meat, but the ice cream bars came before the meat.

To management, please train your staff properly and provide them with the necessary equipment to serve customers. This was a disappointing meal. I would choose the less fancy Anderson Rd location over...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Kumo Sukiyaki, and I have to say, it was an absolutely fantastic experience! The flavors were incredible, and every dish was perfectly prepared. The meats, especially the beef and pork, were incredibly fresh and tender – you can really taste the quality in every bite. The vegetables were also top-notch, crisp, and full of flavor, adding a lovely balance to the meal.

What really stood out to me, though, was the service. The staff was so patient and attentive, taking the time to explain the menu and making sure we were comfortable throughout the meal. It really made the dining experience feel special.

I came here with my family, including my little ones, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well the flavors catered to everyone, including the kids. The dishes were not too spicy, and the mild yet rich broth was perfect for younger palates. We all enjoyed it immensely and left with full stomachs and big smiles!

I will definitely be returning to Kumo Shabu Shabu. It's become our new go-to spot for family meals, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for delicious, fresh, and family-friendly dining. Can't wait to come...