KOKO Sips + Bites — Restaurant in Knoxville

First of all, there is a new owner as of our last visit this past Saturday (3/16/24). We went several times with the old owner and the food was exceptional!! The flavors were authentic Japanese (for me, it is subjective, and I am sure others may disagree). I tend to NOT like my sauces super sweet, so, too much brown/white sugar for me isn't pleasant. The tempura sauce was nearly identical to how my Aunt and Uncle used to make it in their Japanese/Hawaiian fusion restaurant. It brought such wonderful memories back. Their Tonkatsu ramen was excellent, their Char sui was perfect, their curry (Japanese style) was spot on. Loved the fried rice, and the tempura of course. Allergic to seafood so I could not eat any of the sushi. SADNESS (a Japanese person allergic to seafood, that is just an evil twist of fate") Unfortunately, with a new owner, comes new flavors. My 14yo son said it was ok, but he couldn't finish the ramen (which never happens), I couldn't really eat it. The Char sui was toooooo sweet, which effected the overall flavor of the soup itself, which I did not prefer, so I didn't really eat it. The tempura dip was very sweet, so much so that I had to just eat the tempura without the sauce (and I love the old sauce). Overall, the flavor profile is too sweet for me (again just my preference) and it is overly Americanized. (I am not meaning this as an insult; in my opinion, when compared to how it is made in Japan as opposed to the U.S., it is much much sweeter here). I do not think we will be going back. However, I did want to point out that the staff has always been exceptional and attentive, so...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Koko, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The highlight of my meal was the beautifully presented and mouthwatering dish of grilled meat and fried rice, as captured in the attached photo.

The meat was perfectly cooked, tender, and juicy, with a delightful char that added an extra layer of flavor. The seasoning was spot on, and the sprinkling of sesame seeds and green onions provided a fresh and vibrant touch. The vegetables were crisp and well-seasoned, complementing the rich flavors of the meat.

The fried rice was equally impressive, with each grain cooked to perfection and infused with a delicious blend of spices and vegetables. The portion size was generous, leaving me thoroughly satisfied.

The presentation was top-notch, showcasing the restaurant’s attention to detail and commitment to providing a memorable dining experience. The service was impeccable, with friendly and attentive staff who made sure every aspect of our meal was enjoyable.

A special shoutout to Ryan, our server, who did a fantastic job. Ryan was attentive, courteous, and truly went above and beyond to ensure we had a great dining experience. Great job, Ryan - you’re a great kid!

Overall, Koko exceeded my expectations in every way. The quality of the food, the beautiful presentation, and the outstanding service make it a must-visit destination for anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience. I can’t wait to return and try more of their delectable offerings. Five stars...

Very cute and quiet little place with about 10 tables and bar seating both facing the kitchen/chefs and facing the parking lot (might be nice for people with social anxiety). The food is phenomenal. I’m biased. Not gonna lie, I was stationed in Japan for three years so I have a soft spot for ramen and curry. I got the green salad with yuzu aioli and the chicken katsu curry. The salad had a nice mix of greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, pickled ginger and roasted chickpeas which were earthy and savory. The katsu curry came with a lightly dressed coleslaw, white rice, two fried chicken cutlets, pickled ginger (different from the kind in the salad more like the kind you often get with sushi) and a sauce I didn’t recognize but it tasted excellent with the chicken and a bowl of curry. Definitely more than I can eat in one sitting so I’ll be enjoying it again this weekend! 🤤 It’s an experience if you keep most of the katsu bowl ingredients separate and mix them up for different combinations and if you’re just trying to get your feet wet (so to speak, please don’t put your feet in the food) then it’s fun to try it that way. I got take out once before getting the miso soup and spicy tuna kimbap. It was pretty good too. But it’s takeout and I didn’t eat it right away either so I’ll have to try it in person to be able to give that a fair rating. So happy to have another Korean/Japanese choice in Knoxville. Keep up the...