Kingdom Sushi — Restaurant in Tampa

We drove in from North Tampa to Kingdom Sushi only because of the rave reviews ! 4.9 from 1500 reviews meant that the food was more than exceptional. That too in south Tampa. To me, that meant that further research was not required. Made a reservation and looked forward to a delightful dining experience. Be warned. This was far from the truth.

The sushi was some of the most tasteless and dry sushi I have ever eaten. The menu looks extensive, however as you read the description of each item, it’s the same salmon, tuna , cream cheese combination with minute variations. Everything was Dry and tasteless. Made me think that the food was previously frozen. The tempura shrimp and fish were tough and chewy. The Yaki soba noodles were drowned in Soy sauce and so very salty . the shrimp and veggies in the noodles were clearly frozen. In fact , the carrots were still cold on the inside. The risotto was as bad… dry and lumpy . topped with a filet of salmon equally dry. The saving grace was the fried cream cheese shrimp nuggets. Perhaps the only item on the menu that was tasty since it was definitely not Japanese. But the pricing !! Prices are exorbitant !! Through the roof. Sake is $10. The tiny 4 shrimp nuggets $8. The dry sushi roll… $18. Soba Noodles $16.

Service was sketchy. We had to keep waving down our server. He never ever returned to ask us how the food was. If we wanted anything else. In fact, he even forgot to put in the order for our main course. We had to request for wasabi. Twice and received a smidgen.

Strangely, though the restaurant was ¾ empty on a Sunday at 1 pm, the hostess was turning away folks who didn’t have a reservation. Additionally, I had to ask for my receipt. Our server looked confused when I did. He said he would have to check with the manager. I waited 10 mins before I was given my receipt.

In retrospect, the fact that this is a “Brazilian Japanese “ restaurant should have set off alarm bells. Don’t believe the 4.9 review average. , it’s a blatant lie., especially since the place has not been opened very long. I also noticed ( in hind sight) that quite a few of the reviews have been translated . Clearly the reviews are stage managed. I wish google provided the option of zero stars. Never again. Save your money . Dine elsewhere.

Ps: note the establishment"s response to the negative reviews. EVERY SINGLE RESPONSE is the same. It's a copy and paste. Even here, No thought or effort goes into the response. The same is reflected in the food...

I’ve been to Kingdom Sushi a few times now, and it’s safe to say their sushi lives up to the name. The food is consistently fresh and delicious, making it a solid go-to for sushi lovers. However, while the quality of the food is undeniable, there are a few areas where the experience could be improved.

Food and Service

Let’s start with the highlight: the sushi. Every roll I’ve tried has been excellent—fresh ingredients, great presentation, and packed with flavor. It’s clear the kitchen prioritizes quality, and that’s what keeps me coming back. The staff are also super friendly and welcoming, which adds to the overall positive vibe.

That said, the restaurant seems to struggle with large reservations. On multiple visits, when there were big tables, the service noticeably slowed down, and it became harder to get what we needed in a timely manner. It’s understandable given that they seem to be a bit understaffed, but it’s something they’ll need to address, especially as they grow in popularity.

Pricing and Amenities

Another plus is the affordability. For sushi this good, the pricing is very reasonable, making it an accessible option for frequent visits. However, a couple of things stand out as less-than-ideal. For one, they don’t offer fountain drinks—you’re charged per can, which feels unnecessary and outdated for a U.S. restaurant. Additionally, the dessert options are limited, which is disappointing for anyone hoping to round off their meal with something sweet.

Atmosphere and Comfort

The seating and overall layout of the restaurant could use some attention. Space is tight, and the chairs aren’t very comfortable, which takes away from the dining experience. While I’m happy to focus on the food, a bit more comfort and roominess would go a long way toward elevating the overall ambiance.

Final Thoughts

Kingdom Sushi delivers where it matters most—the food is excellent, and the people are wonderful. Still, there’s room for improvement in service efficiency, comfort, and amenities. I’ll definitely be back for the sushi, but I’d love to see them refine some of the other aspects to truly live up to the “kingdom” name.

Recommendation: If you’re looking for quality sushi at an affordable price, Kingdom Sushi won’t disappoint. Just don’t expect luxury or flawless service, especially during busy times. It’s a great place for good food, but not quite ready to...

So I usually don't knick pick but I drove across town 30 minutes to try this place with all the amazing reviews. I hate to ever use the race card but from the time i sat down I got a weird unwelcoming vibe. The girl hostess was staring almost like she was confused. I ordered water and a spicy roe with no sesame seeds since the waiter never came in an empty place but one other table. She told me the server will be with me. I sat and looked for 10 minutes as an older caucasian family walked in and sat down. The one server that hid in the back older lady Dai approached them and introduced herself and told them if they need anything let them know.

Finally the server walked over to me and did not introduce herself and told me "sorry we can't do that for you". She started pointing at the menu flipped it and told me i should order some sushi that i got pay extra and out the pocket instead of the all you can eat buffet. So i politey told her i was a little upset u came over didn't introduce your self and I don't even have your name and u served the other family first when i been sitting here waiting. She kept looking at me funny then said "im sorry and pointed at the menu for me to buy something". I repeated told her can i get your name and she walked away and brought me another menu. She literally tried to act like she didnt speal english or understand me when i just heard her talk clear english to the other family. By then i told her no thank you i will go else where. She smirked and said sorry and walked off. I never been so annoyed if your not "black" and only welcoming causians and hispanics friendly only or don't want our kind here u made it obvious. For that price there is not even a lot different varieties for 29 dollars. Keep your money go else where. There are better places with nore options.

Btw the front hostess told me her name is Dia she wear glasses look like she mixed with something. I was told by the hostess that the waitress is somewhat a supervisor or a manager which seemed fishy if that how you treat other folks.

Update: its also sad after u leave a review she goes and tell her friends to leave a good review to cover the fact how she treated me and literally pointed how welcome she was to that person. Please do better.. and the cs support do not reach back out after the owner said to...