Sama Zama — Restaurant in Kansas City

Sama Zama (for those who aren't aware, "samazama" in Japanese means "various") is probably one of the more authentic Japanese restaurants that I've had the pleasure of dining at in America. It does have a variety of items that range from noodles to rice balls to okonomiyaki. As per most of my reviews, I shall review in different categories:

Environment: 5 Stars (*)

The environment of Sama Zama is similar to that of a small restaurant. It's not massive by any means, of course. The overall feel is similar to that of a Japanese diner. How chairs and tables are laid out. There are some cultural differences, for perfectly good reasons. It seems that the owners knew that while they wanted to keep as much authenticity of Japanese restaurants in their design, they couldn't go full-out to where it could be slightly off-putting for American diners. When you walk in, you're greeted by the host/waitress and you're promptly seated. The chairs are retro-modern (plastic and colourful) and the tables are set up for either a couple or a few friends (a group). They will vary and shift the tables if required to meet your party's needs (in my experience).

Price: Four Stars (**)

The prices are a little steep considering that I know that the majority of the dishes are either donburi-ish or diner-style food (okonomiyaki, menrui, and yakimono). But, due to its location and its overall purpose, the prices are fairly reasonable. You're not going to be able to find a diner/restaurant that sells such amazing food for anything under $9-12 for your entree easily in America; and you're definitely getting quality Japanese food in the heart of Westport (so why complain about it?!).

Food: Five Stars (*)

The food at Sama Zama is, without question, amazing. I have not eaten here once whereas I walked out without feeling satisfied, full, and filled with nostalgia from when I lived in Japan. More than anything, the American-style okonomiyaki dishes fill me with glee and excitement. Mostly because they were able to take something that I've cherished so greatly and mixed it with American-expectations; yet... still keep the authenticity of Japanese cuisine. If you like any style of Japanese food (that isn't sushi, because not everything Japanese is sushi!), I empre you to give Sama Zama a try.

Customer Service: Five Stars (*)

You will never feel that you're being ignored, even when it's a bit busy. The staff go out of their way to ensure that you're satisfied with your meal, if you have enough to drink, and if there's anything else they can help you with. I haven't met anyone that I would consider unfriendly, unprofessional, or even annoying that works at Sama Zama. You'll be welcomed, seated, and fed in as prompt of a manner as they can based on the amount of people that are dining at the time.

Overall: Five Stars (*)

This brings back some nostalgia for me every time I eat here. I do love that they didn't go the "traditional American-Japanese" route of having a sushi bar. Yes, they exist in Japan. No, they do not eat only sushi in Japan. If you wander into Sama Zama, you'll get to see the "other side" of the spectrum of Japanese dishes (with a little bit of an American crossover). There are some dishes that are purely authentic and some have an American influence as not to scare or put-off potential diners (think of how "General Tso's Chicken" isn't 'authentic' Chinese food - yet, with Chinese influence to cater to American diners...). They pull it off with grace...

Great authentic food. However, I will never eat here again. Their door is locked & they pick & choose who they let in. I left a prior review about their Service hours, as they are misleading on Google & have never been updated. Ate here multiple times & the food is amazing, however they wouldn't allow me to tip because I left a "bad review" on another Google account, which they deserved! The server stated "we don't want your tip money because we have pride" while lecturing me infront of the entire restaurant very vocally & loud, telling me "the owner doesn't appreciate your bad review so we refuse to accept your tip", meanwhile they'd serve me for profit because I supported their business. I tried telling her why I left a bad review but she refused to hear it, she refused feedback & hearing me about updating their hours on Google. Instead she told me about how they took pride in their work, didn't need my money or business & refused to hear me out about their inaccurate hours of operation on Google. The server embarrassed me infront of the entire restaurant, very vocally & loud! The server caused a scence & people around the restaurant we're looking at us with amusement, very embarrassing & unwelcoming! The server refused to take any constructive criticism & was very rude. The food is great, thanks but no thanks, LEARN HOW TO TREAT PEOPLE Sama Zama! There is a difference between being prideful & rude. Maybe you should hear people out & make adjustments to your misleading hours on Google before scolding a customer that supported your business, enjoyed the food, atmosphere & wanted to tip for your efforts & craft. They do work very hard, making sure the restaurant is clean & the food is fresh however they don't know how to treat people or respect them. By the way, your steamed fried rice was cold & not fresh, the server bragged & boasted about how fresh the food was when scolding me but when I recieved the rice it was very lack luster! Never...

Our family has been coming here since the restaurant's opening and, hands down, this is the best ramen and place for Japanese delicacies in the city. Unfortunately, though, their review score seems to be depressed a large number of one-star reviews from people who never even ate here. For what it's worth, this seems to be an unfair and undeserved situation for a place that is a rare gem in our neck of the woods.

For the record, we have three kids and have never had anything but excellent service and treatment at Sama Zama. This is a traditional, Japanese-style restaurant, and it seems many of the bad reviewers have not fairly considered things such as cultural differences, the restaurant's setting, seating logistics, or their own personal biases.

First off, we have never been treated rudely by the owner/host, on the contrary, she has always been very hospitable, fair, and attentive. She has even given our kids a free drink on several occasions when they did not have the flavor they asked for.

Furthermore, the restaurant is set in a high-traffic (both foot and vehicle) area, and the inside dining area is a smaller, intimate setting with no waiting area. The tables are tall and the chairs are uniquely designed stools. Given these considerations, it makes plenty of sense that the staff regulates the flow of traffic through the front door by speaking with entrants and allowing in just enough people to avoid having people standing around among seated patrons. Tall tables and chairs with no backs present safety and liability issues for infants/toddlers. And, from our standpoint, regulating also the door traffic makes for a safer, more peaceful, and quieter...