Sushi Kichi Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Dr. Phillips

Are people really crying over the internals of the restaurant and the way the food is served? But then saying the food is great and AFFORDABLE?

People need to get their priorities straight as well as their expectations.

This is a restaurant to get quick eats not a 2 hour sit down. The prices are extremely affordable seeing as you’re literally in the tourist district. We aren’t in Japan, we are in Orlando. As this is situated in the strip mall by Publix and in a tourist area 90% of the traffic is going in and getting out quick. Myself included and I live here.

Most of the time I go there I am in and out.

As far as people crying about compliments and the staff not responding. It’s either they didn’t hear you or they are busy preparing take out orders which is majority of the business. The family and staff there are the most friendly and gracious!

For those of you saying portions are small? Have you been to Japan? You said you want authentic… prices reflect the portions especially when you get to the seafood. All fresh, and very good!

Another thing to consider is that the gentleman in the back is the only chef. He keeps the food consistent by being the only one doing it. This can extend wait times sometimes but still fast.

As far as not having full out plates and place settings, this keeps costs down and if you want to take it with you, simple to put a lid on and go. I do this often as I’ll get two things and try a little of each. To be honest, I don’t want plates etc.. again, keeps costs down and things simple.

Guy crying about curry not having carrots. Not all Japanese curry has carrots. That’s like saying all Indian curry has the same spices and curry. Each area is different.

Bottom line, food is great and authentic. The staff are amazing and always friendly. Expectations should be adjusted as needed. I get what I pay for and more w the friendly staff.

If you want expensive and non authentic go to Kobe that’s Vietnamese owned. You want authentic and great food go to...

It would have cost our small family of four $64 to eat here. For that price, I was expecting something—a smile, a warm greeting, maybe even a tiny bit of effort. Instead, the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was... well, lifeless. Dull lighting, zero energy, and an overall vibe that said, “We’d rather be anywhere else but here.”

The first impression? A lady behind the counter staring at it like it might magically do her job for her, and a guy in the kitchen sitting on a stool glued to his phone. Not exactly the “welcome experience” you hope for after a 45-minute drive.

You place your order through an unfriendly self-service kiosk that screams figure it out yourself. On the screen? A cheerful little message: “Tips are greatly appreciated.” For what exactly? There was no service, no greeting, no “Hey, let us know if you have questions.” Nothing. Just silence. Dead silence.

Oh, and the pricing? The online menu didn’t match the in-store kiosk prices. Love a good surprise charge! (Spoiler: sarcasm.) Add in the joy of tourist-ville traffic and questionable parking, and the experience was—how should I put this—unmemorable in all the wrong ways.

For the same $64, I could have gone to The Cheesecake Factory, gotten bigger portions, fantastic service, and actually felt like someone valued my time and money. Instead, I left asking myself why I bothered driving 45 minutes for this.

Completely disappointed. Won’t be back."

Prices where outrageous: don't be confused by others posts. Everything was at least $16 and up. Their $10 sushi deal was now $23+ dollars. No. No way. Never...

I am picky about Japanese food, especially sushi and sashimi, and after the second visit, I decided this is the only place I would choose go in Orlando (or maybe the entire state) for Japanese food fix.

The fish is fresh, and the rice is done just right. Even Udon noodle is done just right, simple with lots of umami with the real Western (=Kansai) clear-broth style. You probably can get good sushi at Michelin-rated restaurants if you fork out $100+, but for the majority of the humanity, if you really want to taste what Japanese people eat, this is THE place. In Japanese they say 財布の味方; “an ally for your wallet.”

The staff is friendly. The cashier told us that the ones who prepare the food are all Japanese, which says something about the authenticity of the food.

This place is more like food-court style. You order and pay for the food, find your seat, wait for the food to come out, and throw out your own trash and return the dishes.

This is a matter of preference, but for the kaisen don (fish bowl), by default the fish will come dipped in soy sauce and sesame oil. Some might prefer to have nothing on it, and just use the soy sauce and the wasabi that will come on the side. Check with the cashier.

The ambience: comfy and clean, nothing extravagant.

Update: I see that they added an ordering kiosk. I put on “notes” that we wanted the soy sauce on the side.

Update as of July 2025: price on seafood has gone up, but the taste and the quality of the food is the same. Actually, I like the hardness of the rice better...