“Mr Tokyo Japanese Restaurant” is a chain of Japanese restaurants with locations in Charlotte, Matthews, Chapel Hill, and Monroe, North Carolina. It is known for its traditional Japanese cuisine and its friendly, hospitable staff. The menu features a variety of dishes, including sushi, sashimi, tempura, teriyaki, and noodle dishes, as well as a selection of sake and other beverages.
The restaurants are known for their traditional Japanese décor, including shoji screens, tatami mats, and lanterns. This creates a warm and inviting atmosphere that transports diners to Japan and immerses them in the culture and flavors of the country.
Mr. Tokyo is popular among both locals and visitors, and is well-regarded for its fresh, high-quality ingredients, and its attentive, personalized service.
What Dishes You Can Enjoy at Mr. Tokyo Japanese Restaurant
Apart from the specific warm atmosphere, you can also enjoy the following dishes:
Sushi: Sushi is a dish made of vinegared rice topped with raw fish, vegetables, and sometimes roe. Sushi can come in various forms, including maki rolls, sashimi, and nigiri.
Tempura: Tempura is a dish made of battered and fried seafood and vegetables. The batter is made from wheat flour, eggs, and water, and is light and crispy.
Teriyaki: Teriyaki is a dish made of meat or seafood that is grilled or broiled and then brushed with a sweet and savory sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and sake.
Ramen: Ramen is a dish of Chinese origin that has become a staple in Japanese cuisine. It is a noodle soup made with wheat noodles and served in a meat or fish-based broth with toppings such as sliced pork, dried seaweed, and green onions.
Udon: Udon is a type of thick wheat noodle that is often served in a hot broth or stir-fried with vegetables and meat or seafood.
Tonkatsu: Tonkatsu is a dish made of breaded and fried pork cutlet, typically served with rice and shredded cabbage.
Bento: Bento is a single-portion take-out or home-packed meal, usually consisting of rice, fish or meat, and vegetables.
Yakitori: Yakitori is a dish made of skewered and grilled chicken, usually marinated in a soy-based sauce.
Takoyaki: Takoyaki is a ball-shaped snack made of batter filled with diced octopus, tempura bits, green onion, and pickled ginger.
Mochi: Mochi is a sweet rice cake made from mochigome, a type of glutinous rice. It can be filled with sweet bean paste, fruit, or other sweet fillings.
Hibachi Steak
One of the very popular dishes served by the Mr Tokyo Japanese restaurant is the Hibachi steak. It is a type of steak that is cooked on a hibachi grill, which is a flat-top grill that uses high heat to quickly cook food.
The dish typically contains sliced sirloin or filet mignon steak, cooked to the desired degree of doneness, and served with a variety of accompaniments. The steak is often cooked with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic for added flavor.
During cooking, the steak is placed on the hibachi grill and seared on high heat to lock in the juices. The chef then uses a variety of knife skills to create an entertaining and interactive dining experience for the guests. The steak is often served with vegetables such as mushrooms, onions, and peppers, and sometimes with a side of fried rice or noodles.
Nigiri and Sashimi
Other popular dishes you can enjoy here are Nigiri and Sashimi. They are both types of sushi, which is a dish made of vinegared rice topped with raw fish, vegetables, and sometimes roe.
Nigiri is a type of sushi that consists of a small ball of rice topped with a slice of raw fish or seafood. The fish or seafood is usually held in place on top of the rice by a strip of seaweed. Nigiri is typically served in pairs and can be enjoyed with soy sauce and wasabi.
Sashimi, on the other hand, is simply thin slices of raw fish or seafood that are typically served without rice. Sashimi is typically enjoyed on its own or with soy sauce and wasabi. Unlike nigiri, sashimi is not typically made with vinegar rice.
Sushi appetizers
Sushi appetizers are a great way to start a meal at a Japanese restaurant. Some of the most popular and delicious sushi appetizers the Mr Tokyo Japanese restaurant offers include:
Edamame: Boiled soybeans served with salt.
Takuan no moto: Sweetened yellow pickled daikon radish.
Sunomono: Thinly sliced raw fish or vegetables that are marinated in vinegar.
Gyoza: Fried or steamed dumplings filled with ground meat and vegetables.
Agebitashi: Fried tofu served in a light broth.
Kanpyo maki: Thinly sliced dried gourd that has been rehydrated and rolled with sushi rice and sometimes seaweed.
Asparagus maki: Grilled or steamed asparagus wrapped in sushi rice and sometimes seaweed.
Ebi fry: Fried prawns often served with a sweet and tangy dipping sauce.
Takoyaki: Small balls of batter filled with diced octopus and topped with a variety of sauces and seasonings.
Tempura: Lightly battered and fried seafood or vegetables.
Sauces
If you want to enhance the flavor of dishes you can add some sauces like:
Soy sauce: A salty, savory sauce made from fermented soybeans, used as a condiment for sushi and other dishes.
Wasabi: A spicy green paste made from wasabi root, often served as a dip for sushi and sashimi.
Ponzu: A citrus-based sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and citrus juice, used as a dipping sauce for sushi, sashimi, and grilled meats.
Teriyaki sauce: A sweet and savory sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and mirin, used as a marinade for meats and vegetables.
Eel sauce: A thick, sweet sauce made from soy sauce and mirin, used as a dipping sauce for grilled eel and other dishes.
Yum yum sauce: A creamy, slightly spicy sauce used as a dip for tempura and other fried dishes.
Spicy mayo: A sauce made from mayonnaise and chili paste, used as a topping for sushi rolls or as a dipping sauce for fried dishes.
Mr Tokyo Japanese Restaurant and the American History of Japanese Restaurants
The history of Japanese restaurants in the United States can be traced back to the late 1800s, when Japanese immigrants began to settle in the country. The first Japanese restaurants in the United States were primarily located in San Francisco and served traditional Japanese dishes such as udon noodles and tempura.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Japanese cuisine began to gain popularity in the United States, and the concept of sushi restaurants emerged. Sushi, which had previously been a niche food in Japan, was introduced to a wider audience in the United States and quickly became a popular and trendy dish.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Japanese cuisine continued to grow in popularity, and the concept of the “hibachi” restaurant emerged. These restaurants, which feature chefs cooking food on a flat-top grill in front of the diners, offered a fun and interactive dining experience and further popularized Japanese cuisine in the United States.
Today, Japanese restaurants are a common sight in cities across the United States, serving a wide range of dishes from traditional Japanese cuisine to fusion dishes that incorporate elements of Japanese cooking with other styles of cooking. Japanese cuisine has become an integral part of American food culture, with many people enjoying sushi and other Japanese dishes as a regular part of their diets.
Some Japanese Restaurants
There are many Japanese restaurants and chains in the United States, ranging from casual eateries to high-end dining establishments. Some of the most popular Japanese restaurant chains, besides the Mr Tokyo Japanese Restaurant chain, in the United States include:
Benihana: A chain of hibachi-style restaurants known for its interactive dining experience, where chefs cook food on a flat-top grill in front of diners.
Yoshinoya: A fast-food chain specializing in beef bowls, a dish consisting of rice topped with thin slices of grilled beef and vegetables.
RA Sushi Bar Restaurant: A chain of sushi restaurants known for its contemporary atmosphere and creative rolls.
PF Chang’s China Bistro: A chain of Asian-themed restaurants that offers a variety of dishes from different Asian cuisines, including a selection of Japanese-style dishes.
Sushi Den: A chain of sushi restaurants with locations in several states, known for its fresh fish and high-quality ingredients.
Sushi Noz: A high-end sushi restaurant with locations in New York City and New Jersey, known for its omakase menus and expertly prepared sushi.
Umi Sushi: A chain of sushi restaurants with locations in several states, offering a wide range of traditional and fusion-style sushi rolls.
Unique Experience at Mr Tokyo Japanese Restaurant
Here are some of the key benefits of eating in a Japanese restaurant:
Japanese cuisine is known for its emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients, from the seafood used in sushi and sashimi, to the vegetables used in tempura and other dishes.
This cuisine is steeped in centuries of culinary traditions, from the art of sushi-making to the preparation of traditional dishes like udon noodles and tempura.
It often features a variety of healthful options, such as grilled fish, vegetable-based dishes, and steamed rice.
Here you can taste a wide range of dishes, from raw fish and seafood, to cooked meats and vegetables, to soups and noodle dishes.
Many Japanese restaurants feature a unique dining experience, from the traditional atmosphere of a sushi bar to the interactive cooking at a hibachi grill.