Cafe Yoto

Yoto, the much-anticipated Japanese street food concept by Chef Yo, officially opened its doors today, and it did not disappoint. From the moment you step in, the vibrant yet intimate atmosphere transports you straight to the bustling food stalls of Tokyo—where flavors are bold, and every bite tells a story. The menu is a celebration of Japanese street food at its finest, offering everything from perfectly crisp tempura to rich, Niku Ufon, Yakiniku Donburi. Each dish reflects Chef Yo’s deep understanding of flavor balance and technique, with high-quality ingredients shining through in every bite. The temaki Mentaiko Scallop and the Ebi Shoso was a standout—crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful inside, just as it should be. Service was equally impressive. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the food they were serving, adding to the welcoming and energetic experience. To top it all off, dessert was a revelation. Created by pastry chef Marc Hue, the sweet offerings provided the perfect finish—a delicate fusion of Japanese tradition with modern artistry. Whether it was the matcha Ispahan Cream Puff and the Matcha Cream Cake, every bite was a masterclass in texture and taste. Yoto is more than just a restaurant; it’s an experience—a place where Japanese street food is elevated yet remains true to its roots. With a flawless debut, Chef Yo has undoubtedly brought something special to the dining scene. This is a must-visit spot for food lovers, and I can’t wait to return.

Came the first time for desserts, and thoroughly enjoyed them! Really you can’t go wrong with any of the desserts. Second time came for the food. It was very enjoyable as well, I opted for the Ebi Ten Udon (udon was easier on the braces). And it is very reminiscent of udon I’ve had in Japan. The Yakiniku Rice Bowl was my favorite, the ribeye is deliciously seasoned and overall really good. This is definitely a place worth visiting if you enjoy Japanese food or are interested in trying Japanese cuisine as a first timer too! I will say I am a little sad about the service. It sort of felt like we were ghosts, in and out LOL The first time I went in was after the lunch rush and it was quieter, but still felt that way. The second time I went was during the lunch rush so completely understandable that employees won’t have as much time to chat with you for a bit. Overall, will be going back for the desserts again and to try the teas!

Cafe Yoto is a charming Japanese restaurant. The flavors were spectacular and reminiscent of traditional Japanese fair. I ordered the karaage donburi (fried chicken rice bowl), and the rice was glutinous with a perfect combo of sweet/savory sauce. The karaage has a glaze with nice flavor but it makes the karaage not crunchy. This is where they lose a star for me. The black sesame dessert cake was really well done with good texture. Overall, I would say this place has really good vibes and flavors for the price. The texture of the fried chicken left me wanting a little more.

Food is tasty, but quite small for the price. You can taste that the udon is homemade, but again, for the price it feels more like an appetizer. The unagi unfortunately had bones, and the bowl was mostly rice. The hand roll, again, good but maybe not for the price (also unwrapping the nori is not user friendly). Lastly, the marc heu desserts tasted frozen/not fresh? TLDR: good but honestly not the best value. For 2, we spent $38 per person (udon, donburi, temaki, two desserts) and was about 60% full. I understand there's not really a market for Japanese comfort/casual food but at this price point, it may be more worth it to go to Kade No Mise.

I’m a huge Japanese food fan. I love coming here for lunch, it’s always very quick and the food is amazing. I try something new whenever I come but I always get the spicy tuna temaki no matter what. A lot of people say it’s expensive for what you get, but we are in Minnesota, so for me the price matches the quality of fish. A good hand roll in the Midwest can be hard to find! Consistent flavors, and if you’re lucky they might have a hamachi collar available, which is decadent and flavorful but they only have a few per week!

Heard great things about the matcha and was very disappointed. $8.5 for a matcha. I wanted a regular matcha with sweetener and it was still the same price as the strawberry matcha. Matcha was not whisked enough as I could see and the sweetener was sitting at the bottom. I also had the gyoza daily special which were mid and no better than frozen gyozas for the price. The inside felt very sterile with little personality. However the staff was great and definitely super helpful.

Cute place! I got the Kinoko Donburi and it felt like getting a yummy bowl of comfort food. They didn't skimp on the mushrooms! The black sesame dessert filling was very good! There seems to be plenty of street and ramp parking nearby for those worried about where to park in downtown Minneapolis.

My husband and I have been here a few times and we LOVE the curry broth significantly more than the kelp and bonito broth (which is still good). We like to get the karage and the niku udon, and split a side of mountain vegetables. It is a little more expensive than other fast casual places, but for the quality of food the value is worth it. We’ve also tried the tuna avocado tamaki, which was fresh and delicious. Do yourself a favor and try the curry broth udon if you haven’t yet