Koto in Salem, Massachusetts, is a Japanese restaurant featuring Sushi, Sashimi, and other Japanese staples. Among other things we tried was the excellent Nama Haru Maki Roll which we found on the late night menu. The Mai Tais were most excellent… and effective. Our bartender worked amazingly hard, and efficiently, to keep up with the demands of patrons. The live entertainment was a nice touch to the evening, featuring four area rock bands. Very much recommended.
Rafael Photography
I came to pick up an order and the waitress was extremely rude. When I asked her about the orders, she responded, “Do you see any food in my hands? Obviously is in the front”
George Adams
I had a weird experience where I ordered a Banh Mi on DoorDash (pickup) it was good, so I decided to go back again in-person. But when I got there, they told me they don’t even make Banh Mi and that I must’ve meant the place next door.
Turns out the spot next door does make them, and theirs are spicier and even more delicious, so it ended up being a win. Still, I could’ve sworn I originally ordered from the first place. I remember thinking I didn’t want to go into the one next door because I’d spend too much time there (it's a market, not restraunt) I was on a date and just trying to grab food quickly.
Maybe I’m tripping, but the whole thing has me second-guessing! I double checked DooDash and it's on the menu.
jake vallante
Full disclosure, I haven't been here in 10 years but it was good back then!
Maddi Wiser
Another reviewer mentioned the rudeness of wait staff, we did not notice that. Our waiter was efficient and to the point. We had a sushi roll and the beef lo main, both were very good with generous portions. 2 could easily share either dish. We enjoyed this place for a quick lunch here in Salem! Fueled up and ready for more witch festivities.
TodayIsOurAdventure
Fresh sushi and really great service. We went in during a weekday for the sushi lunch special. Sat outside and enjoyed the downtown ambience. Food came out quick and was tasty. Good prices for the portions. We had a small amount of leftovers and the sushi still tasted good the next day. Our server was super pleasant! Highly recommend!
tarayoon
Typical Asian restaurant that doesn't focus on one type of food but lumps them all together (Thai, Japanese, Korean, Chinese).
It seems like they change their vegan menu a lot, but it's nice they have a decent amount of options.
Kimchi fried rice was good, it was nice and surprising to see vegan kimchi being used.
The vegan tuna roll and vegan Danny's roll were delicious, but $15 for veggie rolls is crazy.
All in all, prices are outrageous. $6 for ONE frozen bao is highway robbery. I could get behind it if they were made in house from scratch, but you can walk into any Asian grocer and find a bag of frozen buns for a fraction of the cost.
Our waitress was incredibly funny and sweet.
Qian Li
bad service and mandatory 18% tips， sucks！ Always ask us “set up？” “set up？” pusn us to leave.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Manny Zamora
Great food amazing service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Roll
Stephanie Hernandez
Staff is extremely rude and will follow you out of the restaurant and accuse you of being a liar by using the bathroom.
Story time: today me and group of friends did intend of eating here for dinner. Menus were handed to my group and was sat outside. Me and another friend, when in to use the bathroom.
There was a sign outside, saying that the bathroom was only for paying customers. But we were going to be paying customers. So we told the hostess we were sitting outside and we were going to eat and SHE allowed us to use the restroom.
In between using the restroom, the people In our group decided not to eat at this restaurant and go to a better one.
I had no idea of this information since I was using the bathroom.
When I exited the restroom, it felt like she was waiting for me to exit and asked me “what happen to my friends ?” I was confused because I was not with them. She then proceeded to say well they got up from the table and the restroom was only for paying customers.
Which I understand, but I have no control of my friends getting up from the table when I am not with them.
So she accosted me and followed me out and called me a liar! Because we used the bathroom. How was supposed to know my group got up ? Her telling me well the bathroom is for paying customers only, like what else she wanted me to do I already used the bathroom ?
She embarrassed me and yelled at me in the middle of the street and made me come out of my character resulting in a shouting match on the street.
I can say never go here the place is dirty and empty and extremely rude staff and to be honest they might be racist. Because me a Latina from New York was yelled at but called a liar. But the girl that I went to use the restroom with is half Asian and nothing happened to her.
Food and service were both mediocre. The poke bowl was way too salty because there was too much seasoning sauce at the bottom, so much so that the rice was swimming in it. The fish was okay, but generally it was not worth $23.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Joseph Sanchez
A Japanese restaurant with a great menu in downtown Salem.
We came for a quick lunch during the October festivities.
The menu is small but very good. Everything we ordered was excellent and the food came out at a decent pace.
They were not super busy and I know why, the service was terrible. They took for her to get our drinks, forgot one, and they never came back. It was a good runner who brought the food and we tried to tell him about our missed drink.
They brought after we were done and had paid and then charged us for it separately without asking or a conversation.
Really just garbage service.
The food is really good though. So tread carefully.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Prosvham
Great food and service from Vicky.
Mike Ayotte
Service was not very good, Staff was very pushy/rushing during the ordering process and then we received the wrong food. Drinks took a while to come out and the restaurant wasn't very busy. Very Disappointed in my visit.
Koto in Salem, Massachusetts, is a Japanese restaurant featuring Sushi, Sashimi, and other Japanese staples. Among other things we tried was the excellent Nama Haru Maki Roll which we found on the late night menu. The Mai Tais were most excellent… and effective. Our bartender worked amazingly hard, and efficiently, to keep up with the demands of patrons. The live entertainment was a nice touch to the evening, featuring four area rock bands. Very much recommended.
I came to pick up an order and the waitress was extremely rude. When I asked her about the orders, she responded, “Do you see any food in my hands? Obviously is in the front”
I had a weird experience where I ordered a Banh Mi on DoorDash (pickup) it was good, so I decided to go back again in-person. But when I got there, they told me they don’t even make Banh Mi and that I must’ve meant the place next door.
Turns out the spot next door does make them, and theirs are spicier and even more delicious, so it ended up being a win. Still, I could’ve sworn I originally ordered from the first place. I remember thinking I didn’t want to go into the one next door because I’d spend too much time there (it's a market, not restraunt) I was on a date and just trying to grab food quickly.
Maybe I’m tripping, but the whole thing has me second-guessing! I double checked DooDash and it's on the menu.
Full disclosure, I haven't been here in 10 years but it was good back then!
Another reviewer mentioned the rudeness of wait staff, we did not notice that. Our waiter was efficient and to the point. We had a sushi roll and the beef lo main, both were very good with generous portions. 2 could easily share either dish. We enjoyed this place for a quick lunch here in Salem! Fueled up and ready for more witch festivities.
Fresh sushi and really great service. We went in during a weekday for the sushi lunch special. Sat outside and enjoyed the downtown ambience. Food came out quick and was tasty. Good prices for the portions. We had a small amount of leftovers and the sushi still tasted good the next day. Our server was super pleasant! Highly recommend!
Typical Asian restaurant that doesn't focus on one type of food but lumps them all together (Thai, Japanese, Korean, Chinese). It seems like they change their vegan menu a lot, but it's nice they have a decent amount of options. Kimchi fried rice was good, it was nice and surprising to see vegan kimchi being used. The vegan tuna roll and vegan Danny's roll were delicious, but $15 for veggie rolls is crazy. All in all, prices are outrageous. $6 for ONE frozen bao is highway robbery. I could get behind it if they were made in house from scratch, but you can walk into any Asian grocer and find a bag of frozen buns for a fraction of the cost. Our waitress was incredibly funny and sweet.
bad service and mandatory 18% tips， sucks！ Always ask us “set up？” “set up？” pusn us to leave.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Great food amazing service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Roll
Staff is extremely rude and will follow you out of the restaurant and accuse you of being a liar by using the bathroom.
Story time: today me and group of friends did intend of eating here for dinner. Menus were handed to my group and was sat outside. Me and another friend, when in to use the bathroom.
There was a sign outside, saying that the bathroom was only for paying customers. But we were going to be paying customers. So we told the hostess we were sitting outside and we were going to eat and SHE allowed us to use the restroom.
In between using the restroom, the people
In our group decided not to eat at this restaurant and go to a better one.
I had no idea of this information since I was using the bathroom.
When I exited the restroom, it felt like she was waiting for me to exit and asked me “what happen to my friends ?” I was confused because I was not with them. She then proceeded to say well they got up from the table and the restroom was only for paying customers.
Which I understand, but I have no control of my friends getting up from the table when I am not with them.
So she accosted me and followed me out and called me a liar! Because we used the bathroom. How was supposed to know my group got up ? Her telling me well the bathroom is for paying customers only, like what else she wanted me to do I already used the bathroom ?
She embarrassed me and yelled at me in the middle of the street and made me come out of my character resulting in a shouting match on the street.
I can say never go here the place is dirty and empty and extremely rude staff and to be honest they might be racist. Because me a Latina from New York was yelled at but called a liar. But the girl that I went to use the restroom with is half Asian and nothing happened to her.
DON’T GO HERE EVER !!!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Food and service were both mediocre. The poke bowl was way too salty because there was too much seasoning sauce at the bottom, so much so that the rice was swimming in it. The fish was okay, but generally it was not worth $23.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
A Japanese restaurant with a great menu in downtown Salem.
We came for a quick lunch during the October festivities.
The menu is small but very good. Everything we ordered was excellent and the food came out at a decent pace.
They were not super busy and I know why, the service was terrible. They took for her to get our drinks, forgot one, and they never came back. It was a good runner who brought the food and we tried to tell him about our missed drink.
They brought after we were done and had paid and then charged us for it separately without asking or a conversation.
Really just garbage service.
The food is really good though. So tread carefully.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Great food and service from Vicky.
Service was not very good, Staff was very pushy/rushing during the ordering process and then we received the wrong food. Drinks took a while to come out and the restaurant wasn't very busy. Very Disappointed in my visit.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Great food and drinks.
Food: 5
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