Tokyo Nikkei Restobar — Restaurant in San Carlos Park

Great restaurant much needed in Town Center! Awesome atmosphere and food was delicious. Ask for Alexus she was a fantastic waitress and we’ll definitely be back!

**Edit So I wanted to keep my original review because my first experience was so good that I ended up taking my mom there on Tuesday night. My first experience was really great…my second one not so much. Our server Kaeleigh was so sweet and friendly! We ordered two drinks, three apps, a sushi roll and a ramen. Our drinks were super weak, not sure that there was any alcohol in them at all and the food was slightly inconsistent compared to my first experience. Not a problem, everything was still okay for the most part. The biggest issue I had was that they were supposedly out of to-go containers for the ramen. As a previous server and bartender, I’ve ran into this issue before and would have improvised to ensure my customers happiness. Especially when my compensation is tip-based. We thought of every possible solution to take this $18 soup home and even when I mentioned myself going across the street to Cold Stone and asking for a pint container, our server was just like “yeah that’s not a bad idea”. There was three tables in the entire restaurant and it would have been incredible customer service to ensure we could take our leftovers, that we paid for, home. Again, our server was so sweet and polite and in no way is it her fault for the restaurant being out of supplies, but going the extra mile will always pay off. In the past, I’ve honestly wrapped aluminum foil over the dish and insisted the customer take home the food they paid for no matter what. We ended up leaving the ramen behind and we were charged for it. Had we known there was no chance of taking it home, we would have never ordered it. My whole family are excellent tippers any time we go out, a normal tip for us is 35%-55% and we ended tipping 18%. As a local, I hope this restaurant survives because the atmosphere and food are so great but service is everything.I really wanted to share this experience for the servers awareness more than anything. Not sure I’ll be back but definitely great food...

From the moment I walked, I was greeted brightly by Kayla. It wasn’t incredibly busy, with a restaurant like this it takes time to build up following so soon after opening, while trying to maintain the superior quality. They opened in the space across ther from Co

Our server was Dawson. He gave us a run down of the menu and their offerings that left me highly informed on their Japanese-Peruvian products, what makes them different, and the best options for a newbie at their establishment. Succinct and to the point. I first ordered a Chicha Blossom on their limited opening cocktail menu. It was a refreshing cocktail with a twist, with egg whites being one of the primary ingredients. Definitely a must try. Secondarily- it was the Golden Spiced Sol Margarita. I wasn’t incredibly impressed being a margarita connoisseur. Decently spicy margarita with an interesting rim flavor, but nothing more. Would’ve tried more if I could!

The pork belly in the Chicharron Boa Buns (comes with 2) was distinct and delicious, with a savory scent. A solid bun overall. I had the shrimp and salmon nigiri as well (comes with 2 pieces each) and by now I was suspicious. How could they not have missed yet?

Next up was the Pulpo Tokyo, a smoky octopus and quinoa dish that came with a sauce that was a great compliment to dip the octopus in quinoa in. My girlfriend had the Lomo Saltado, which- while simple, had a unique flavor to it. Combined with a little soy sauce I think it’d be the bees knees. We even got a few visits from the general manager Mikey who was giving 🔥 recommendations from the moment we walked in.

We walked away feeling not too full but very satisfied with the meal overall. On top of the clean restroom, not too loud music, and friendly faces, I think anyone who’s tired of our existing dinner options should support this restaurant and give it try a try at least once! Of course everything adds up, bit you get what you pay for! I can’t wait to give them...

My girlfriend and I have never been big fans of bao buns. We've had them at various places and always found them underwhelming. So, when she came home earlier this week raving about Tokyo Nikkei, and specifically their bao, I was skeptical. But she insisted they were on another level, so on Saturday night, we stopped in for appetizers and drinks to put her claim to the test.

We started with the Shrimp Bao Buns. The description alone was tempting: "shrimp pops, honey glazed sauce, pickled vegetables." The moment they arrived, we knew this was different. The buns were perfectly fluffy, and the combination of the crispy shrimp pops with the sweet honey glaze and the bright tang of the pickled veggies was a symphony of flavors and textures. It was, without exaggeration, the best bao bun I have ever tasted. It's the kind of dish that completely redefines a food category for you.

Just as we were finishing, our bartender, seeing how impressed we were, asked with genuine enthusiasm if we had tried the pork belly version. You know you've found a special place when the staff is as passionate about the food as the chefs are. Her recommendation was all we needed to hear. We ordered the Bad Chicharron Bao Buns.

The dish that arrived is the one pictured here, and it was a masterpiece. The pork belly was cooked perfectly—a savory, crispy edge giving way to a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The sweetness from the sweet potato puree and the sharp, fresh crunch of the pickled vegetables cut through the richness beautifully. Each bite was a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy.

We only came in for a quick bite, but we left as massive fans. Tokyo Nikkei doesn't just serve great food; they create culinary converts. We will absolutely be back for a full dinner experience. A well-deserved 5 stars. Highly, highly...