Koto Hibachi Express & Sushi — Restaurant in Gainesville

I've gotten the hibachi steak lunch special and the avocado tuna roll twice. I got takeout both times. The hibachi lunch special is incredibly generous in portion, but doesn't lack flavor by any means! The same goes for the avocado tuna roll. Both were very flavorful, fresh, and made well. Service is fast and friendly. You really can't beat three meals for around a 20 spot. If you're getting your sushi from the cold case at the Publix across the way, I'm sorry for you. You just need to be educated. 🤣 Fast, friendly service, too! My new favorite spot. Gonna get the takoyaki next time.

Update: I've gotten so many people at work into this place, y'all hosted a work luncheon for one of us. Now, the big update is I got the takoyaki, and today the tempura. Takoyaki was loaded with delicious, chewy octopus bits, well seasoned, and hit every spot. Saucy, savory, and they go heavy handed with the bonito flakes if that's your thing, like me. Make my takoyaki dance. The tempura is absolutely fire. Delicate, well executed, and just the right amount of crunch.

Thanks, Koto! Keep rocking it! I'll be telling more people as they walk by my office asking what...

Run of the mill Americanized Japanese food establishment.

We ordered the shrimp fried rice, the steak and chicken hibachi, and the shumai (sushi menu app).

Fried rice was bland and the shrimp was slightly overcooked. I'd pass on it. You can get excellent fried rice for the same price and portion size right down the road at Sohao.

The hibachi was okay; the vegetables were flavorful and tender, but everything else was pretty bland. The rice it came with was just plain white rice with a small amount of soy sauce—in a word, bland, and not the fried rice the menu says it comes with.

The shumai (fried) was fine. Not much to say.

Over all, this place reminds me of Chipotle—food isn't spectacular, but it's quick, and the interior environment is comfortable enough. I wouldn't seek it out and probably won't return. Gainesville has quite a few better Asian restaurants at the same...

ive came here so many times and its still one of my favorite affordable restaurants! the menu is posted on the outside so its really good for people who have social anxiety or just want to make sure they know what theyre ordering before they enter. the people have been really nice every time i went! i haven't tried a lot of the menu but the veggie rolls are all pretty good. i have a gluten sensitivity and the people were super nice about it, answered my questions, and accommodated to my diet with gluten free soy sauce and other stuff :)) they're also super helpful in general too - twice now ive bought canned corn from the publix next to it and theyve so kindly opened it for me when i asked haha overall really nice place for a casual meal,...