Ariake Sushi & Robata — Restaurant in Springfield

This Valentine’s Day, I took my wife to Ariake Sushi Robata in Springfield, MO, because nothing says romance like raw fish, fire-grilled magic, and an atmosphere so refined it makes you temporarily forget you live in the Midwest. And let me tell you—this wasn’t just the best sushi in Springfield. This was next-level sushi that made me question every other roll I’ve ever eaten.

The atmosphere? Immaculate. Dim lighting, sleek decor, and an open kitchen where you can watch sushi chefs craft tiny masterpieces with the precision of brain surgeons. The service? Absolute perfection. Our server was so kind and attentive I half expected them to pull out a chair for me and whisper affirmations about my life choices.

Now, onto the food.

We started with the Yaki Avocado, and let me just say—if I could eat this every day, I would. The smoky, creamy avocado mixed with the perfect amount of spice? It was like a warm hug but for your taste buds. 10/10 – Would recommend.

Then came the A5 Arancini—listen, it was good, but I didn’t hear the angels sing. Maybe I hyped myself up too much, thinking A5 Wagyu mixed with crispy rice would make me levitate. It was solid, but not the star of the show. Good, not life-changing.

And then… the Negitoro Tuna Belly sushi.

Let me tell you—this sushi did not come to play. One bite, and I swear time slowed down. The richness of the tuna belly, the perfect balance of flavors, the way it melted in my mouth like a buttery dream—this wasn’t just sushi. This was an experience. If you don’t order this, you’re doing life wrong.

But wait—dessert.

We finished with the Blueberry Charlotte, and at this point, I was already emotionally attached to the meal, but this dessert sealed the deal. Light, fruity, and just the right amount of sweetness to make you forget how full you are. You don’t skip this cake. Ever.

Final Verdict?

Ariake Sushi Robata isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a journey into sushi greatness. If you want to impress your date, go here. If you want to eat sushi so good it ruins all other sushi for you, go here. And if you want to leave feeling fancy, full, and mildly unworthy of such an experience? GO. HERE.

11/10 – Would eat here again even. Please give me a gift card for my...

Well, this is, in my opinion, the best fine dining option in Springfield. The service is impeccable and if you get an option for Cody to serve you, I would recommend it. He knows the menu and will suggest exactly what you need based on your preferences and explain what is going to happen, because it’s a bit different than any other restaurant experience.

The sushi is as fresh as I have ever had and the best quality you can find. The presentation and attention to detail, not only with aesthetics, but flavor matching on easy piece of nigiri is second to none. We had two rolls, the Black Pink and the Negitoro, both were exceptional, but the Black Pink rose above. The flash fried roll, topped with the spicy black fin tuna and flying fish roe was unbelievable.

Do yourself a favor, order two or three oysters with caviar, one will not be enough.

The Chilean Sea Bass was the best I’ve ever had. The texture and flavor reminiscent of fresh scallops. Again, the flavors were unique, the fish cooked perfectly and matched with julienned green onion, that almost took on a meaty texture of their own, perfect mashed Yukon gold and a faintly sweet miso sauce and this candied quinoa that was a first for my pallet.

For dessert we had the blueberry crumble. Awesome presentation and a unique finish to the meal with what I believe to be a freeze dried blueberry crumble that almost reminds you of lucky charm marshmallows.

I can’t forget to mention the sweet lady who is either an owner, or a very good GM. She was attentive to every table at least once, has a smile on her face the entire time and never looked overwhelmed in what is obviously a very stressful environment.

We took our 10 year old and 12 year old and they loved it! Anytime you’re feeling like spending a little extra, throw on some nice cloths and prepare to have...

Atmosphere: As soon as we walked in, I was impressed by the welcome we received and how smoothly we were directed to our table. However, with a party of seven, we had to navigate the bench side, which wasn’t the most enjoyable experience since it meant everyone had to get up whenever someone needed to leave. I recommend checking if they have tables with separate chairs. The table felt a bit small, and I found myself knocking things over which is why I gave it a 4star. I think it would have been more comfortable with a smaller group! On a positive note, the interior was beautiful, giving us a city vibe with great music and a nearby bar, creating a classy, upscale atmosphere.

Service: The service was outstanding. Our waiter made a point to check on us whenever possible and was very professional. Since we were all new to the experience, he took the time to explain how everything worked. In this Japanese-style dining, the food doesn’t arrive all at once, so we ended up sharing and sampling everything as the plates came out at random. We didn’t mind at all; it was actually a fun experience! Our glasses were always full, and various staff members came by to help clear dishes from our table. It really felt like a supportive work environment where everyone helps each other.

Food: The food was incredible! The portions were small, but wow, it was delicious! I usually don’t spend money on small servings, but here, you truly get what you pay for—an amazing chef, a fantastic experience, and an overall great atmosphere! Every now and then, we like to treat ourselves, and this place delivered exactly what we were looking for. We will definitely be returning! I got the wagyu a5 , it literally just melts in your mouth ! It tasted amazing and definitely...