Kosho by Tabu

This place has great food in addition to wonderful service and atmosphere. I was in the bar nook, which is a cute, quiet area that is good for a solo diner or couple. As a solo diner, I don’t think I could do justice to the menu. Portions are fairly generous, especially the kaarage chicken, so I wasn’t able to try many things. If you’re looking to taste a variety of options, definitely go with a group. But I can say that a bowl of chicken and a drink would be an affordable and delicious option worth the trip. In addition to the chicken (fire version), I ordered the salmon crudo and pork belly yakitori. The chicken was my favorite—the spice was mild but flavorful, and it melts in your mouth even when it’s no longer hot. The yuzu aioli that comes with it is also amazing. The crudo was fresh and also well-portioned. I enjoyed the bartender’s choice drink, which was 05. Toki Whiskey, yuzo, lemon, shishito. Loved it! I should have gone with one of the wagyu or bao options instead of the pork belly, but hopefully you can learn from my experience! The bites were very big and difficult to chew through, though the flavor was good. Since I couldn’t bite through the bigger pieces, they took it off my check, which was very kind and not necessary. But I would guess that the bao buns are the way to go if you really want pork belly. Everything tasted fresh and the flavors are harmonious and well-thought out. The bar selection is also thoughtful and intentional, with a good range of options. I could have happily tried all of the cocktails as well. I expect this place will do very well and it will become much more difficult to get reservations, so go enjoy it now!

Didn’t expect to come on the grand opening but had the most amazing experience. The waitress Natalia made our NIGHT! Most definitely need to get drink #7!! Great restaurant, great vibes, great food, will come again!

We came in for a girls night and had the bessssst time! The small plates were perfect for sharing and we tried so many different dishes that did not disappoint. The staff was so friendly and attentive and our server Logan gave such good recs! I ordered a mocktail (bartenders choice) and got the yummiest refreshing drink that wasn’t too sweet. Lastly the ube banana pudding is such a fun twist on a classic dessert it was the cherry on top. We cannot wait to come back to try more and definitely going to book the Shabu bar for hot pot!!

We had the BEST meal at Kosho tonight! The service was 10/10, the ambiance was 100/10 (highly recommend requesting the “bar nook”), and the food was out of the world delicious! We had the miso pork belly yakatori, the drunken mushrooms, the garlic noodles, the salmon crudo, and cucumber dish, and rice— it was all so, so good. I cannot wait to go back!

From the moment we stepped through the doors at koshō we were transported into a world where exceptional service meets cool unique artistry. The ambiance strikes the perfect balance between cozy casual sophistication and vibrant energy. The staff was beyond attentive and welcoming, offering thoughtful recommendations without being intrusive. Our server, Jose, was knowledgeable about the menu, guiding us through an exquisite selection of appetizers, mains, & desserts with a passion for the dishes. We began with the ahi toast which was absolutely delicious. The yakitori was equally impressive—perfectly cooked, seasoned to perfection, & paired with the perfect cocktail that elevated the entire meal. For dessert, we indulged in the ube banana pudding, the most epic end to our meal! Overall, koshō is not just a meal—it’s an experience. Whether you’re in Nashville visiting for a special occasion or just treating yourself, you’ll leave with a full stomach and a satisfied soul. Highly recommend, and cannot wait to return!

Incredible food and staff! I tried the edamame hummus, salmon crudo, unagi crispy rice, and the shrimp skewer — everything was presented beautifully and tasted even better! So much flavor and perfect portion sizes. We ended the night with the ube banana pudding and it was devoured before I could even snap a pic. Will be going back very soon!!! (Also… this sake was fantastic and came in the cutest little juice box!! So fun!!!)

We had one of the best meals here! Our waiter (Jay) was fantastic throughout the whole meal. The service was excellent from the whole staff. The drinks and food were delicious from starters to dessert! The owner/chef stopped by our table and chatted with us for a bit which we appreciated! We’re looking forward to many more dinners at Kosho. Highly recommend!

Sooooooooo dang good! Zach and Will at the bar were the best ever!! Made super amazing drinks and were very attentive and gave us the best service ever! The food was AMAZING as well. 11/10 recommend. Favs were the crispy rice, lamb, and ramen! Thanks guys (:

THIS PLACE DESERVES 10 CLAPS! Super elevated food, decor, service. Can't recommend enough! Must try their Shabu Shabu, the edamame hummus and the banana pudding. One thing to note, the parking lot next door says $5 for first hour parking but it's really $5 for the first 30 mins and then $30 after for next 6 hrs. This is no reflection on the restaurant though.

You're definitely going to want to add this spot to your list! Their menu includes: Japanese small plates (Izakaya), skewers (Yakitori), and Japanese Shabu Shabu (Hot Pot) at their bar seating. Both the food and cocktails were made to perfection and the entire staff was so welcoming. Not to mention, the ambiance was so modern yet cozy. Make sure to also check out their cozy bar area as well! I am still in awe after this dining experience. Downtown Nashville Number 9 Ahi toast, Cucumber Sunomono, Unagi & Crispy Rice, Kosho Garlic Noodles, Wagyu Short Rib, Lamb Chops, House Special Desert: GF matcha cheesecake Small pay to park lot attached + parking garage on the other side of the building

Newly opened Japanese restaurant (opened 3.7), which had just been open for a week. I specifically went there for their sukiyaki. Even though it's only been open for a week, it's already super popular--I could only get a reservation at 8:30 PM. I checked next week's schedule, and all the good time slots were already taken. The total cost was about $50 per person (I didn't order alcohol because I forgot to bring my ID after working out). I noticed that the restaurant's name, "Kosho", was written on the entrance. In Japanese, "こしょう" (koshou) usually means pepper. However, the restaurant's name is spelled as Kosho, it's a bit confusing. (If anyone can explain, let me know!) Alright, now for the recommendations Appetizers Spicy Tuna Don: They give you a huge bowl of rice and tuna! The rice underneath was warm and fluffy, while the fresh, well-seasoned tuna sat on top, garnished with shredded nori and sesame seeds. Super tasty! Unagi & Crispy Rice: I didn't order this one, but I overheard people at the next table saying it was really good. The appearance looked great too! Yakitori (Grilled Skewers) I ordered three chicken skewers with green onions in the middle--delicious! Very authentic Japanese style. To be honest, it tasted almost the same as what I had in Kyoto back in January. Japanese Hotpot (Sukiyaki) Process Step 1: Choose the broth Options: Miso broth:Can get salty after cooking for a while. Sukiyaki broth:Starts off with a great balance, but if cooked too long, it gets too sweet. Kombu dashi :Think of it like oden broth, light and mild. We chose sukiyaki broth--perfect at the beginning, and the vegetables absorbed the broth really well! Step 2: Choose your protein We went with NY Strip steak. This step determines how much you'll spend-choosing Wagyu will be way more expensive, while just getting vegetables is much cheaper. The beef was incredibly fresh, sliced right before cooking. Dip it for just 5 seconds, and it's perfect! Step 3: Choose your rice Options: White rice or brown rice. We went with brown rice. Even though we only ordered one hotpot, they still gave us two bowls of rice. Step 4: Vegetable platter This comes by default and also includes a portion of noodles. Step 5: Dipping sauces You get four different sauces: Sesame sauce Yuzu sauce Minced garlic Chopped green onions Here's my favorite way to eat it: For the meat, I like to dip it in garlic first, then into sesame sauce--amazing! For the veggies, they absorb the sukiyaki broth so well that I usually eat them as they are, without any extra sauce. For the noodles, after boiling, I dipped them in yuzu sauce and added some chopped green onions-classic Japanese zaru-style dipping noodles! Extra Dish: Kosho Garlic Noodles We were afraid we wouldn't have enough food, so we also ordered the Kosho Garlic Noodles. It was okay-had mushrooms, shrimp, and a strong buttery flavor. Not bad, but nothing extraordinary--just met expectations, not something I'd strongly recommend. Dessert We were too full for dessert. The restaurant offers a special dessert each day--today's was matcha cheesecake. I was actually curious about another one: Ube banana pudding. I saw other tables ordering it, and it was huge!definitely enough for 3-4 people to share! Overall, it was a great experience, and I'd definitely love to go back!

Was so excited to check out this place! We arrived a little late to our reservation and they were still kind enough to accommodate us. To start off, our server was phenomenal! Had all the recommendations and was super sweet. To start, my friend got the mezcal drink and I got the margarita, both of which were delicious. For food, we split the crispy rice, chicken kaarage (spicy), and the pork bao. The crispy rice was good but we had to deconstruct because it was too big for individual bites. The chicken was a subtle spicy and was so good. Our favorite was the bao. Usually not a fan of bao because the ratio of meat to bun is never right (always too much bread). This one was legit filled with meat and was perfect - still thinking about the flavors today. Overall highly recommend checking out. I will mention parking is a beast (so expensive) so recommend ubering or circling for street parking if able.

Literally everything is amazing. Shabu with Wagyu ! Garlic noodles and lamb pops are a must. Suuuuuuuper nice staff. Must go.

Tonight was my second time at Kosho! It was, again, a 10/10. Tonight was even better because our server was AMAZING! Joyous went above and beyond to make sure we were satisfied. She was knowledgeable, attentive, and personable. We LOVED her!!! My birthday was 2 weeks ago, and she made sure we STILL celebrated. I mean, honestly, the whole experience was a 10/10. No food was left behind lol.

Excited for a new Asian place in Nashville! My friend and I went out on a Tuesday night and were greeted by enthusiastic and attentive staff. I think the food was pretty decent for Nashville/southern standards (although admittedly we ordered too much off the main menu and didn't get to try the hotpot), and we ended up paying ~$160 for several plates and a drink. 5/5 for service, 4/5 for food taste (wagyu croquettes were a bit dry, garlic noodles had excellent flavor but a bit mushy). I felt like the spicy chicken kaarage (asian fried chicken), although advertised as "fire", was not quite spicy enough. But overall definitely a southern/american spin on Japanese food as advertised, maybe still working out the kinks as we came their first week of opening on a weeknight. Would still recommend to try out as I selfishly want the Asian food scene in Nashville to flourish!

Kosho is a new gem in SoBro. The food was the main star of the show. The wagyu croquettes were crispy and rich, the garlic noodles had great flavor, and the ahi toast was fresh and light. The modern, vibey ambience makes it perfect for date night. The cocktails were just as good - well balanced and smooth. Service was friendly and attentive. Everything felt thoughtfully done, from the food to the atmosphere. Whether you're here for a night out or a special occasion, Kosho is worth it. Definitely coming back the next time I'm in town!

Amazing food, amazing service and amazing hospitality! Salmon crudo and lamb lollipops were out of this world

Came here with my wife and young daughter. Amazing vibe and the food was very good. Staff was attentive and friendly. Would definitely come again

This place is bomb. Food, service & ambience all great. Would definitely come again. Owner Sol is short but cool.

Kosho by Tabu is THE best Asian spot in Nashville. The vibe is sleek and classy, perfect for a night out with your SO or a group of friends. The food is amazing--tasty grilled yakitori, creative small plates, and fresh ingredients like seafood.