Noka

Incredible!! We went for a birthday dinner and sat at the chefs counter. We got to watch the head and executive chef work and chatted with them, they were so kind and fun to talk food with. All the food was great, the Chicken wings, dry aged salmon nigiri and edamame toast were our favorite bites! Our mains of the burger and lobsterfish bisque were tasty but not as amazing as all the small plates! Drinks were good and the ambiance is amazing. Good background music and the sound of the other people talking wasn’t too loud. One of the best meals we have had in KC and we will definitely be back soon!

Went in on a Wednesday night with a booking for 2. We’re seated in a booth style seat and table setup and service was lovely. Ordered a few dishes to share (recommended) to start and the pacing of the food was perfect so you enjoyed each dish on its own and didn’t really mix flavors. Cocktails were well presented and tasty. The best part was the dessert! Highly recommend for a great food and atmosphere, for a reasonable higher end menu price. Will be back for sure! Might be one of my new favorites in KC! Also check out the door in the way in.

Somehow two years old and my friends are just now bringing me here??? I had never been, which felt irresponsible. We sat at the bar and the bartender was excellent. We went sashimi and nigiri-heavy, as one should, and the scallop nigiri sealed the deal for me. I’m deeply loyal to any restaurant that does scallop right. Pro tip do the brownie and the shoestring fries for dessert. A little salty and sweet action.

5 Star 5 Star!!! I just celebrated my 32nd Birthday here last weekend and I couldn’t be happier with the decision. Loved the intimate setting as soon as you walk in the “secret” entrance door. Stylish and Chic decor giving luxury vibes. The food is truly AMAZING and every bite was an experience of new flavors that I haven’t tried before. Our waiter was Angel and he went above & beyond to make sure the night was memorable. Awesome recommendations across the board and very hospitable. 🙌🏽 This place honestly beats out my favorite restaurants in Kansas City and I cannot wait to be back and try more! Thank you Noka!! ***Highly Recommended***

We love this place! Especially for special occasions in which our case was our anniversary. We found this place from KC DAILY because it was voted 1st for most beautiful restaurant. I fully expected a beautiful restaurant to be expensive, long wait, small portion with mediocre taste but this was a complete opposite. Yes the place was nice and creative with a very 'village' vibe with music playing everywhere (which I like). But what's most pleasantly surprising was the food, service time and diverse menu. Pricing wasn't bad either as you can find $30+ but also $16 entrees. Food was very delicious as in tasty with a lot ot savory flavors mixing Japanese / Asian with Italian dishes. And my favorite was how they distribute the delivery of appetizers so it comes out one after the other instead of having multiple dishes come out all at once mixing unintended flavors. Overall if it's your birthday anniversary or special get togethers, this place is definitely one you can try and won't leave with any regrets.

My wife and I had a wonderful date night here. They hung up our coats at the front and sat us down at our table right away for our reservation. They have a nice happy hour option for drinks and food. We took advantage and found the sichuan hot wings to be incredible! I haven’t quite had wings like that before in the best way possible. We shared some sides and entrees which all were very good. Dessert was delicious as well. We had the brownie and cheesecake options. The ambiance was very nice with calm lighting and the noise level was low that we could have a good conversation. The customer service was fantastic and they made sure you were well cared for. I’d come back here again and we plan to do so soon.

Noka in Kansas City is more than just a restaurant — it’s an experience. From the moment you walk in, the vibes are truly unparalleled. The lighting, the music, the energy of the room — everything feels intentional, elevated, and effortlessly cool. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to linger, whether you’re there for a date night or celebrating with friends. The food absolutely lives up to the atmosphere. The edamame toast with garlic goat cheese is a standout — creamy, savory, and perfectly balanced with a subtle punch of garlic that doesn’t overpower. It’s fresh, flavorful, and addictive. And don’t forget the fresh Thai coconut (Nokanut?) it’s incredibly refreshing and adds a bright, tropical contrast to the richness of the dishes… and you get to drink out of the natural coconut. Insane. Noka manages to combine style and substance in a way that is rare in Kansas City. Exceptional rustic Japanese ambiance, inspired flavors, and beautifully executed dishes make it one of Kansas City’s must-return spots.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!! Not only was the food amazing, but my fiance and I had the most amazing service from Levi. We got the sashimi, wagyu burger (my fav), duck fried rice, and crab Campanelle…they taste as good as the presentation. Thanks Levi, Chef Monte, and Jacob for the a great experience. We will be back soon!

Eric R. and I had a very nice experience here last night. We came early sans resy to have a "pre-theatre" meal before the comedy show at Midland Theater. We sat at the bar and it was happy hour! I had a glass of sake which had yuzu and floral notes. Eric R. got a Sapporo on draft. We ordered the spicy tuna rice cakes with leek hay, toro tartare make your own hand rolls, sushi donuts, night market sichuan chicken wings, and the scallop nigiri. The food was all very good. I had no idea what to expect with the sushi donuts. They were like arancini balls stuffed with sushi rice and topped with salmon roe. The wings had a sichuan peppercorn dry spice blend with brown sugar and five spice powder. We asked for a dipping sauce and were given house made chili crunch for additional spicy deliciousness. The chili crisp had black beans in it too, mmm! The scallop nigiri was a delicious way to end as it was grilled and full of flavor. The menu is quite extensive and there are seasonal options so we would definitely return. Everyone at the bar provided excellent service too. The restaurant is beautiful! Also, there are purse hooks at the bar (but inexplicably not in the bathroom). You can make a reservation on OpenTable which is recommended for peak dining hours especially on weekends. Itadakimasu!

Nokaaa was fantastic! Let's start with the vibes chic, contemporary, and beautifully romantic with a touch of Oaxacan flair. The interior feels stylish yet cozy, perfect for a night out. The menu is simple but thoughtful, and the portions are great for sharing (pretty generous for normal appetites!). We started off with the green apple roll absolutely delicious and super unique. Tip: drizzle the sauce all over the roll it elevates the flavor big time! For the main course, we had the steak filet with bok choy and a side of Brussels sprouts. The steak was so tender it literally cut like butter oh my goodness! The Brussels were perfectly sweet and salty easily one of my favorite sides of the night. The cocktails were also fantastic refreshing and well-balanced. I ordered their Elevated Gin & Tonic, and it was so delicious crisp, aromatic, and perfectly crafted. And then came dessert... wow. A banana deep-fried in tempura with salted caramel miso sauce and torched marshmallow fluff. It was a heavenly trio I didn't even know I needed! Service was top-notch the owner/manager stopped by our table multiple times to check in, which made the experience feel really personal. If you love sushi, creative dishes, and great vibes, Nokaaa is a must-try!

The food was not great. And um, customer service was terrible. And when I googled this restaurant, I did not expect the high fanciness of the restaurant.

Thoroughly impressed with our experience here. The ambiance, service, and food were out of this world. Their cocktail menu is awesome as well as the appetizers (the gator roll is seriously unbelievable). We shared the pasta and the seafood risotto which were both excellent. We ended with the tempura banana and we honestly could've eaten a second one it was so delicious The gm, Jacob, was doing his rounds to ensure guests were enjoying themselves which is a huge green flag to us. We will absolutely be back!

Lowlight: missing entree, sat forever waiting Was excited to celebrate my gf 40th birthday at Noka. When you make a reservation at this place it asks you about the numerous sitting options, the dining room, bar, chef's counter, sushi bar, or high top counters. Since i wanted to sit across from my date, i made a reservation for two in the dining room, however was sat at the Chef's counter. In fairness, the place was full for a Tuesday night. Ordered drinks, and about 3 minutes later was told they didn't have the drink i ordered and was offered replacement options. Chose a blood orange beer and it was tasty. The waitress who took our order was nice, but not really helpful, didn't really explain the menu or offer any suggestions. Luckily i did some homework before and had an idea of what i was interested in otherwise, but she did mention she would give us a free birthday dessert, which sounded great. Next thing you know a lady gifted us a free dry aged salmon nigiri. And wished the birthday girl, happy birthday. This was the highlight. We ordered the Brussel sprouts, scallop nigiri, chicken wings, calimari, and based on prior reviews, the ribeye. Most of the food came out pretty quickly, Our reservation was for 7, we were seated promptly. I'd guess by 7:45-8 we had all the food except for the ribeye. We sat at the counter just waiting and watching the food coming out of the kitchen. Plate after plate that sat up on the counter, i wondered the ribeye was gonna come out. We waited... Note: the waitress never made any indication to us as to whether or not the ribeye was coming, or what was taking so long, at the same time, she wasn't asking if we wanted that dessert and we just sat and sat. Around 9pm i started to think the ribeye wasn't coming, the entire situation was bizarre because we were otherwise just sitting their like dumbasses as the waitress seemed to give us awkward looks as if she wasn't sure when the ribeye was coming out. At about 9:15 i just asked for the check and told her we no longer were even interested in dessert. The whole experience was weird. Never really went to a nice restaurant before and just didn't get the main entree. Yet was left to kinda feel like it might be coming based on the fact the waitress never really asked us if we needed anything else or gave cues that no other food was coming out. Was very disappointed. The food we did get was good. Both nigiris we were served were legit. Brussels sprouts good, wings were interesting, i like what they were trying to do with the concept and the spice on them was nice, but they just ok for me. Couldn't justify any more than 2 stars considering the overall experience. Left with a poor taste because of the awkwardness of the missing main entree. Gave one star for the food we did get and one star for the place itself was cool. Minus 3 stars for the bad parts. Hope the rest of you have better luck. Especially if it's your birthday celebration.

I LOVE NOKA!!!!!! Noka is probably my favorite restaurant in the city (well probably tied with the Antler Room.. depends on what I want lol). The food is always fresh. The ambiance is exquisite. The tableware is beautiful. They have cool rocks! Honestly it's so good. The only thing I don't like about Noka is the service can be spotty. We came in right before a group of about 15 people.. and while the service during dinner was great, after it was pretty bad and slow. But I also understood because our waitress did have a lot on her plate. Next time I'd love to branch out and try different things!

Very cute hidden gem, Its Japanese inspired, all the liquor is from Japan. Which made it more interesting for me. The drinks were amazing! Warring they do switch up the menu so if someone recommends something from here act fast! I came here for the salmon and it was no longer available. Bummer I know :( However the cod,wings and fried rice made up for it all! Highly recommend coming here . The staff was top tier with their hospitality, from the moment I walked in.

I'm a Travel Nurse from Louisiana. Noka is my first restaurant to visit while on assignment. The vibe of this restaurant was beautiful! Loved the decor and the atmosphere! Wishing the bathroom had more lighting because I would've spent half my time taking gorgeous selfies! The service was great as well all the staff were hospitable and the food was bought out in a timely fashion. Started off with the UBE cocktail, which was basically a margarita nice and refreshing. Now let's get to the food! I'm a Louisiana girl so when I saw the alligator roll on the menu I just had to order! My only critique would be for them to use less hot sauce it really overpowered the roll and made the alligator hard to taste so I was let down a bit. The shrimp tempura was good but that's hard to really mess up anyway. The calamari was delicious! The Wagyu burger was perfect and juicy! I was open to trying the night market wings though the sweetness with the brown sugar was off putting didn't really like that at all lol. Lastly the cheesecake we ordered had the cutest little topping of cotton candy! I give this place a solid 4/5 stars Perfect for a girls night to eat & yap, very intimate for a date night with your partner!

Some hits and misses at my first time at Noka. Overall the interior and aesthetic is 10/10. It's a cozy modern vibe without being too cold. Service was pretty lackluster. We were served waters then we sat for about 10 minutes with no server coming over. Finally the owner/head chef came over and introduced himself. Great guy - walked us through the menu and his favorites. I appreciate his foresight to check on guests and notice when people aren't being serviced. Based on some of his recommendations and what sounded good to us we went with the scallop nigiri, shrimp toast, ribeye, miso black cod, Brussel sprouts, and the crab Campanelle. The scallop nigiri exceeded my expectations as I don't usually like scallop... However, they did torch it a little too much. It was also torched on the rice, which I thought was unnecessary. Next we got the shrimp toast. I've had this at other restaurants before and it was delicious... This one just tasted of straight up oil. It was disappointing. I think they need to work on this one a little bit. Then we got the brussels sprouts. These have potential but they definitely needed salt... The flavor was kind of one note and but I will say they were charred to perfection. So at this point, we were kind of feeling like most of these things were misses.... Until we got to the entrées, the ribeye and the miso black cod were outstanding... It also came out with the crab dish, which was basically like mac & cheese. But the best kind you've ever had. It was almost giving Kraft but Michelin star lol. Overall it balanced out middle of the road for us because it was pretty pricey for everything. However I would definitely come back for the entrees cause those shined.

I finally made it to NOKA, and I'm wondering why I waited so long! This place is truly next level. NOKA serves contemporary Japanese cuisine, offering an amazing ambiance that immerses you in the experience from the moment you walk in. Whether you're enjoying an intimate evening near the bar or sitting at the chef's counter for a front-row view of the live fire kitchen, there's something for everyone here. The food? Absolutely phenomenal. The drinks? Perfectly crafted. The attention to detail and the exceptional service? Unmatched. If you're in Kansas City, do yourself a favor and check out this fine dining gem. It's the perfect date spot and has officially earned a spot on my list of favorites! My absolute favorite dish was the scallops that is a MUST!!!

Loved the food and ambiance! Very cool space that felt very intimate. Don't skip the night market wings. Wish the cocktail list was a bit longer.

Good food , the stuff was great, the vibes was very good, music was nice to hear while we was eating.

Yelpers were on point again. This spot in Midtown is all the things : swanky, urban, cool, sexy and delicious. Popped in with a friend on a Friday during happy hour. Great bar specials. Gf and vegetarian options. Will definitely be back. I want to try everything on the menu. Tip: reservations are must. Noka has reverse happy hour.

Noka is definitely becoming a staple for my boyfriend and I when it comes to date night! The service, the food, and the atmosphere are always amazing whenever we visit. As customers, we truly appreciate the consistent great hospitality, the high-quality/well-prepared meals with beautiful presentation every time, and the clean and welcoming atmosphere. Noka truly is such an experience for us! For date night we ordered multiple items such as: Truffle Tuna, Crab Apple Roll, California Apple roll, Dry Aged Salmon, Night Market Chicken Wings, and Matcha Crème Brûlée! Truffle Tuna: This roll features togarashi spiced tuna, chinese black truffle, flying fish roe. The spiced tuna gave off a nice smoked flavor that added a nice pairing with the flying fish roe on top! Crab Apple roll: This roll features soft shell crab, green apple, cilantro, vietnamese nuoc châm. The crab was fresh and the sauce paired with it was sweet and spicy! California Crunch: This roll features a flavorful chipotle crab mix paired with avocado and cucumber. This time, we chose to skip the quinoa crunch, as we found it a bit overpowering on our previous visit. We enjoyed the roll even more without it, allowing the other ingredients to shine. Dry Aged Salmon: Served simply as a delicate but nicely sized slice of salmon over rice finished with a burst of bright flavor from the lemon top. It was fresh and simply just melted in your mouth! Night Market Chicken Wings: This was easily one of our favorites of the evening! We did get the wings to go due to how stuffed we were but they were outstanding featuring a uniquely light yet fluffy breading infused with bold flavors! They were perfectly balanced with sweet and spicy notes complemented with a hint of spice! Matcha Crème Brûlée: Was The rich, green tea custard was topped with house-spun sugar, torched tableside added just an elegant touch. The custard took us by surprise and was so exceptional, that we ordered a second one! If Noka made matcha, I imagine it would taste just like this crème brûlée and would undoubtedly be a top seller. Thank you Noka for yet another amazing experience!

Everything about this restaurant blew us away. The sleek and modern interior made me feel like I was at a retreat. The food was creative and beautifully plated, and the cocktails were well-crafted and spirit-forward. We sat at the bar and got to meet Seth, the most incredible bartender we've encountered. He was knowledgeable, personable, and fully engaged. The Sakura and Lychee cocktails were both pleasant and refreshing. The Hamachi Sashimi was fantastically presented on a slab of rock. I wished I could order another round because it was just that delicious. The rice cakes were fried to perfection, and topped with savory chunks of salmon and tuna--so good! I originally wanted to order the duck, but they ran out, so I ordered the short rib instead. It was also superb. Good cut of meat, well-seasoned, and the mashed potatoes were so light and fluffy.

Wonderful food and exceptional service. Our table had both gnocchi, dishes, as well as salads and the meat and cheese platter for an appetizer. Nice location to take family and friends or even I'm out of town Guest.

Incredibly cool ambiance and decor. Even the bathrooms were uniquely decorated. Good service and delicious food, I only give it a 4/5 because we felt that we were pushed to over order the amount of food we needed. It was suggested by 2 servers to order one item from every category which would have been 7+ plates, each costing $13-$30. The food and drinks we did order were well crafted and tasty. We split all dishes and really enjoyed the shitake dumplings and scallops & noodles entree.

Noka is easily one of the best meals I had thus far in 2025. Everything about my experience at Noka was top tier. We did a chef's counter seating which was fun to see the chef and kitchen making magic happen. We ordered the Salt and pepper calamari, the fried wings (the seasoning was delicious), the yellowtail sashimi, the apple crab roll, the ribeye, and the miso sea bass- every. single. dish was phenomenal. And the decor!' The clay pots and earth tones bring a sophisticated simplicity to the space. 10 out of 10 recommend.

The atmosphere was amazing! I loved the decor and the lighting. The service was wonderful. They made the extra effort to make me feel special on my birthday and gave us dessert. The food was okay, I was expecting more sushi options. The presentation of the food was beautiful but nothing really wowed me taste wise except for the brownie. For more photos and videos, check out my Instagram: @zeroforkzgiven.

Service was fast and amazing! Not a huge menu but lots of different and interesting items. I had the Miso Cod, it was sweet and firm. The surprise was the bok choy. I am not a huge fan, but it was sweet and crisp. Loved it. The real star was the scallops. There were only three, but they were perfect bring yet sweet. The wheat noodles they were with had a great broth and couldn't get enough of the homemade sweetness. Definitely a repeat!

Undoubtedly one of KC's best restaurants. Noka had been on our radar for a little while and I wish we had gone even sooner. In short, everything we tried was great and there is clearly a high standard for the quality of the food and drinks here. Love the atmosphere as well. As for the drinks, we were both in the mood for mocktails and we both loved them! We both especially enjoyed the Coconut Water. The Shrimp Tempura was possibly the best sushi roll I've ever had. I loved the Tofu Tempura as well. I could go on and on but I really don't think you can go wrong here. We found so much on the menu to come back for. Also the service was fantastic and shoutout to our server Phoenix!

Obsessed with Noka's interior - especially at night. For food, highly recommend the miso cod and trying one of the sashimi options wasn't as big of a fan of their sushi, but it's def still good.

If you have a larger party and want to get a reservation at this place, I'd recommend booking at least one week in advance! My sister and I were able to get seats at the bar and immediately loved the ambience when walking in. I can see the appeal of hosting a birthday dinner with friends here etc. the service was excellent, our waiter was extremely attentive and offered us input on what we should get / what was most popular. The bathrooms were spectacular and definitely unique. We ordered a wide array of food but overall were not impressed with what we got. Seemed like they tried to do something different with each order but somehow missed the mark. Out of what we got, the wagyu nigiri, tuna sushi roll and hamachi were our favorites. I'm glad I went once to see what the hype was about, but don't think I would return unless they change up their menu.

The service was friendly and fast!! The vibes of the restaurant were immaculate too! Also the brownie I had here for dessert for restaurant week quite literally changed my life I never thought I would say that about a brownie LOL The restaurant is only getting four stars from me because the food did hurt my stomach after I left but it was still so good and worth it

I cannot find one negative thing to say about Noka. In a city with numerous dining options, it can be challenging to stand out but Noka does just that. Located in the Martini corner area of downtown, Noka is rustic yet elegant and lively but cozy. I'm not sure how they manage to achieve this but it could have something to do with the energetic staff and group seating (long community tables). The bar area looks inviting as well. Our group of five was celebrating a birthday and had a blast. There is a corkage fee if you bring your own wine. We ordered the California crunch roll, mushroom roll, Tartare lettuce wraps, General Tso chicken skewers, Tofu tempura, Miso cod, XO fried rice, Filipino salmon, Kung Pao brussels sprouts, and Togarashi spiced brownie. Yes, we ordered a lot but many of the rolls and starters are shareable sizes. Everything is a flavor bomb with an interesting spin on the original preparation you may be expecting. The standouts, in my opinion, were the lettuce wraps, tofu, and salmon. That tofu is still in my thoughts, as it was just special in every way! To top it off the chef and owner, Amante, visited our table and brought the birthday girl a martini treat! You have got to add this restaurant to your wish list!

Incredible from start to finish. We had multiple courses, all spread out perfectly. The Lychee martini was amazing. The crab pasta dish was fantastic!!! The tuna truffle roll was chefs kiss. We tried so many plates tonight and nothing dissapointed. The chef/owner was incredibly thoughtful and I see exactly why this business is so successful. I wish this restaurant so many years of success!!!! I've been to many KC restaurants and this is top tier.

Noka has the best atmosphere in the city. A must try for date night! If you haven't ever tried dry aged fish, they are doing it right here! Also, best martini in KC!!!

Omg, such amazing flavors and LOVE the space, such an amazing esthetic...love how the wait staff made us feel so special and welcomed in a random week day, even at the communal table style of seating we had..loved the mock tails and watching the chefs at work was a treat.. will definitely be back..Mac and cheese was delicious!!

Noka is a *pho-nomenal* spot right near downtown that you'll *soy* want to visit again and again. This Asian-inspired restaurant will have you coming back for more. We dove into some sushi and the kung pao Brussels sprouts that were so amazing, I'm still dreaming about them. We even got a little *edamame-crazy* with the edamame toast--sourdough topped with goat cheese and edamame. It was *un-brie-lievable*! The place itself is lovely, the staff is super friendly, and they offer a happy hour during the week, so the prices are *shrimp-ly* unbeatable!

Shoutout to Mya for making our first visit unforgettable. She was attentive & friendly. After we paid, we decided to sit around a little longer. She constantly came by to check up on us. A very great server! Definitely will be back to see Mya. The restaurant is beautiful. I really like the ambiance and vibe. I felt like I was in another country instead of Kansas City. The only downside is that it is really dark. You will need a candle or phone flashlight to read the menu. The food is delicious. Complex and flavorful. The peppercorn fried chicken is my favorite. Perfectly fried with interesting mixed of spices. The duck is also my favorite. Beautiful presentation and perfectly cooked. Their version of macaroni and cheese is a must try. The dish brought out to us in error, and they complimented it. I am happy we got to try it. The only thing I did not like was the brussel sprout. Not sure if they made it quickly because they forgot we had order this side dish. But it was very saucy and salty. It is not a great dish to compliment our entree. I needed a bowl of rice or a piece of bread to tone down the saltiness. It was also on the house after we expressed that we did not like the dish. Highly recommend. 10/10

Gave Noka a try during restaurant week. Each course was unreal. The hidden gem is the mushroom rice entree... Came on a busier night, so service was a bit slower, but the food made up for it.

Amazing restaurant, ambiance was perfect, Seth at the bar was a perfect host and needs to be taken to Japan! Food was amazing great flavors throughout each dish with perfect textures giving tantalizing bites!

Went out with my girlies for a bday, we shared like 5 courses! first off they have the BEST espresso martini i've ever had!! we got two different rolls the california roll was good but could do without the crunch it kinda ruined the texture and taste and the shrimps tempura roll was also good but barely had any shrimp in it haha. the fried rice was amazing!! really loved the sweet potato jewels they did an amazing job with those flavors. service was good. really loved the ambiance!!

Wednesday price fix five course menu is unbeatable. Really nice wine list and good service.

IM OBSESSED!! 10/10 would recommend to anyone!!!! I went with one of my friends for her birthday and they delivered amazing service to make her feel loved!! A happy birthday sign was at the table, the manager check on us multiple times and gave us complementary glasses of wine AND a dessert!! Everything we ordered was DELICIOUS and the atmosphere was like no other in KC. This gives big city vibes in the perfect neighborhood. Thank Noka for a wonderful experience!!

This is very hard for me to write, because the food was good, the ambiance was there, the service was great, but for the hype and the reputation, I don't think this place was over 4 stars. If 3.5 was an available Yelp amount, that's what this review would be. To start, we went during Restaurant Week, which is a hard week to rate in the first place. The place was completely packed, and so our server apologized right away about how that would impact our service. I think I'll have to go a second time to really get an idea, which is partially why this review is delayed from when we went. There was a special $5 sushi addition which we had to take advantage of. For appetizers, we had the Lawrence tofu and the night market wings. The wings were alright, though I think the description made it sound as though it would be spicier than it was. The tofu was an absolute star. Could be a main. We got the tuna truffle roll and the sweet potato roll. Of the two, the sweet potato roll was the obvious winner. This was an instance where there's just no need for truffle on everything, though I do appreciate the real truffles. For the main, we got the duck and the filet and shared some Brussels sprouts. The Brussels sprouts were so good. I'll have to adopt the use of garlic peanuts when I make them at home. The filet was tasty, season wise, but it was a bit chewy, despite the correct temperature. It might have been a lower quality cut of filet. The duck was both under and over cooked. I eat a lot of duck but this was not good. The fat was not rendered while the breast meat was tough and over cooked. I don't think I would order duck from Noka again. The desserts and drinks saved the show. Neither of us are drinkers but we had some really nice mock tails. One was finished with sesame oil and and the other was tart with yuzu. The creme brulee was perfectly sweet and was excellent to end this meal. The brownie with ice cream was nice and fudgey while the ice cream was custard like in creaminess. Noka has great ambiance for a date or special outing, though it's fully a communal seat setting, so if you're trying to get intimate, you might not be able to. It's concept is a little strange though, think humble Asian dishes from the home, but at "just got a raise" prices. It would be less weird if there was even one staff member that was Asian, but that didn't seem to be the case.

We visited Noka for the first time for my birthday. Make sure to make a reservation, they were busy. I love the ambiance and atmosphere. Our waitress was great, she took the time to explain how many plates we would need for our table and answered any questions about the menu we had. The night market wings have to be some of the best wings I've ever had. I could've eaten two orders of those. We will definitely be going back.

Come for the ambiance and the XO fried rice and that's about it. Most of the food was decent to hard pass. All the fish dishes we had were fishy. Not sure why - maybe Weds is the day they order fresh fish, but Tuesday was a let down. Their cocktails read great on the menu, but were cloyingly off. Their servers all seemed a bit edgy or unhappy - not sure if it was the heat (it gets hot in there!) or something else. Probably won't be back here unfortunately.

Delecious! The Japanese inspired menu features small, medium, or entree sized portions. It's a warm environment with large tables ( community style ) where others are nearby and an open kitchen and counter seating looking into the kitchen and a separate bar and seating area. Creative and unique drink menu with a Sans - Alcohol ( NA ) section as well. Amante is the Chef-Owner and is actively circulating through the kitchen and restaurant. If you love food, just let your server pick your selections and you'll be perfect! There is a parking lot northwest, adjacent to the restaurant with access from 31st Street

This gem just opened in the spring and it already has all the hype around it... and you can believe it! The food There didn't seem to be a thing on the menu we wouldn't have tried. Trust your waiter/waitress on recommendations and get enough to try a good selection. Our stand outs were the A5 Ribeye and the scallops - absolutely phenomenal. The service This crew knows there stuff. From the drinks to food they have their menus locked in for suggestions. The team was QUICK we never had a moment when our space was empty - the team was always running food our way. VIBES It is all about the details. From the moment you walk in those wood double doors you are no longer in KC. I have been to a couple community seating restaurants prior, but this is the first one that has maintained an elevated dining experience and high class vibes.

This restaurant is sexy, but I was all alone at the bar, so I just watched sports and looked at everyone else play kissie face. I started off with the Crab Apple Roll, which was super delicious and made with real crab. The green apple and cilantro really mixed well together. I then followed that with the Miso Cod, which was really marinated because it was bursting with savory and salty miso broth. I'll definitely be back!

Tried Noka out on a busy Friday evening, and overall was a satisfying dinner. Currently they are offering 50% off food from opening to 6:30 PM on Friday's, so that was a surprising bonus. Overall food was quite tasty. Their Autumn drink menu was diverse and was hard to choose just one because they all looked good. Started with hamachi sashimi appetizer which was fresh with subtle hint of shiso oil that wasn't too overpowering, as well as fried tofu, which was my personal favorite. For our mains we split the miso cod, XO fried rice and the sweet potato side. Sweet potatoes were exceptional with umami butter and can never go wrong with the shavings of Christopher Elbow Chocolate (trust me it works). For the dessert we had the creme brûlée, which gets style points for toasting the topping of cotton candy table side. Service was slow and had to ask several times for a few dishes, but we were understanding that it was a busy Friday night, and our waiter comped us appropriately. Aesthetically, restaurant is beautiful but the communal tables are a little tight, so come prepared to get comfy with the stranger sitting next to you. Would definitely come back, but first restaurant needs to work out some service logistics and timing of courses.

Noka was one of Kansas City's most anticipated restaurant openings this year, located on Martini Corner. Noka means "farmer" in Japanese in honor of the Chef & owner Amante Domingo's late father. From sight to smell, I definitely felt like I was in the Chef's modern, earthy world. Raw materials from his fathers farm were used in the restaurant's design to exhibit a wabi-sabi aesthetic, meaning perfectly imperfect. As you explore the internationally inspired small plates, you may recognize that charcoal, live fire taste from the chef's other beloved concept: the Russell. Bring a friend who's going to encourage you to order outside of your comfort zone for this spot. All of our cocktails were delicious in flavor, however we did not taste (or feel) the alcohol. I had the sake and melon. My friend had vodka #2, sake and one other cocktail which had kombucha. We shared five small plates between the two of us. We left full and satisfied. We agreed we did not need the last plate, and would've rathered saved room for dessert instead. The plates we shared were: Tartare - not our favorite dish and my friend usually loves tartare. Poke Rice Cakes - both of our favorite dish, we would order again. XO Shrimp Fried Rice - delish, it's fried rice, what's not to love? Tuna Tataki - we enjoyed this, I would order again. Elbow's Sweet Jewels - I think my friend liked this, but it wasn't my favorite - even though it had Christopher Elbow bitter chocolate atop sweet potato wedges. We would skip this one next time. The service was friendly and attentive. I felt very comfortable and taken care of. Being a party of two, our plates were coursed one by one. Small groups seemed to be served several plates at a time. For me? Next time, I'll be dining at the chef's counter and peeping into the open kitchen concept. Unless I am with a group in which case we'll hope for a corner of the communal dining tables.

My friend text me the most amazing food menu a few weeks ago, and I knew right away, the next time I made plans to go out for dinner, this would be my choice. Especially since the dinner menu is half-priced after 9pm. Gotta love a good deal! I will start by saying, the person that owns this spot also owns The Russell, so I knew I was in for a phenomenal dining experience. I didn't know much about the setup of the restaurant, so I was very surprised when I walked in to see two very large tables for community seating. Not my favorite, but it didn't take away from the experience! The food is brought to the table one plate at a time, or all together, if requested. The octopus tostada was pretty good, but I was in no way prepared for how spicy the jalapeño vinaigrette was, it has a kick to it baby! The schezwan wings were airy, crispy with a sweet and spicy dry rub. I will order two plates of them next time around! My last dish was Elbow' Sweet Jewels. It's reminiscent of dessert with the sweet taste from the potatoes and bitter chocolate. It was a perfect finish to my dining experience. Also worth noting, the Vodka #2, oh my booze! I noticed there was a limit of 2, and after one, I kinda got the reason why. Between the layout of the restaurant, the seating arrangement and the menu, this was such a fun and unique experience. I don't know that there's another place like this in Kansas City, so this is definitely a standout for the town. Must try!

We were at Noka with a large group and enjoyed sampling many of the appetizers and entrees. We loved all 3 Sushi rolls and i particularly enjoyed the California Crunch and the Sushi Donut. Of the Nigiri both the scallop and the tuna were amazing. I am a huge fan of the Miso Cod and the Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts as well. I was happy we split some desserts since I could not have held back from devouring an entire Togarashi Spiced Brownie. The decor is so unique and lovely. The service was incredible and we were served seamlessly with friendly and helpful servers. If fish is not for you there are incredible chicken and steak entrees and well as favs like chicken wings and a delicious take on a burger. I LOVE Noka.

I've been patiently waiting for this restaurant to open in my neighborhood, and I can tell you that it is one of the best new places in KC that I've been able to try! The ambiance is very minimal with grays, browns, and rocks/stone accents, but it is really calming and the staff are amazing! SO let's get to the food. Basically, I could live in there. The food was all so good--I went with my partner and they suggested 4-6 plates for two people. They are shareable, but if you really wanted to, you could get them for individuals, just order accordingly. We sat at the chef's counter, and I'm so glad we did--we were able to talk with Mark about each of the plates (it also wasn't busy when we got there on a Wednesday evening, so that helped), and he made sure that we were able to enjoy all the flavors that they packed into the dishes. Mark told us that they're planning to change menus every season, and that they work with local providers and seasonal produce to come up with their menu. I loved getting to hear about the collaborative group they've got in the kitchen and in the restaurant--and Mark really made us feel at home and answered all my (probably dumb) questions! We got a selection of things. Definitely recommend the Asparagus! The mushroom bowl was good--my partner enjoyed it (I'm not a mushroom lover!). We got the tempura tofu which came with this bok choy and a sauce underneath that was awesome. The chicken wings were super crispy (I'll save the secret of the breading and seasoning for Mark to tell you!) and delicious. Pork belly--let's just say that my partner and I were fighting for all the bites! So glad this restaurant has opened for all of us to experience it! Looking forward to going back again soon and trying all the things we didn't get the first time. Noka is definitely on my list of places to come back to asap!

TL;DR: Noka has stellar ambiance and some great fusion dishes. I was excited to see a restaurant like this finally come into KC, and the concept is a welcome addition to the fine dining scene. That said, Noka is definitely not the authentic, modern Japanese restaurant that I hoped it was based off the press coverage. If you like Japanese food enough to pay $16 for edamame, I'd encourage you to use that money on gas to Overland Park, where you can find KC Craft Ramen, a restaurant that highlights more of the sweet, savory, spicy, and subtle that there is to Japanese cooking. The Japanese chefs will serve you equally fancy edamame (try it with the truffle oil!) at a third of the price and ramen noodles made onsite using a ramen machine shipped from Japan. It's the only place that reminds me of the ramen from Tokyo. You could also try Sushi Uni, which makes the best sushi in the KC area, or for something equally as upscale as Noka, you could try the Asian-inspired options at The Antler Room. Now, to Noka. We'll start with the highlights. The Japanese options make up less than half of the menu (the rest is Chinese), but I was impressed by them. I loved the smokiness of the Hamachi Sashimi and the sour and citrusy notes on the Tuna Tataki. I was surprised by how well the popcorn paired with the Hamachi Sashimi, and these dishes were the highlight of the night. Next, yakitori. Yakitori is a dish where meat skewers are cooked over a traditional Japanese grill. In Japan, the end result is beautifully smoky and draws out all the flavors from the meat. In comparison, this yakitori was much more heavily sauced, making it both too salty and too sweet. The Shrimp XO Fried Rice was similar. XO Fried Rice should be seafoody, savory, and slightly crispy, but this fried rice was flat and salty. The Crispy Beef Tongue, while super tender, also fell flat and relied almost exclusively on the hot mustard for flavor. Overall, I was hoping for a lot from Noka, and some of the bites lived up to those expectations, but the high prices, small portions, and varying quality would likely make me recommend skipping this one for now.

Everything was perfect! Drinks food and ambience all wonderful. Cannot wait to come back

This place does not take food allergies seriously! When I made the reservation I mentioned that I have a sesame seed allergy, I mentioned I had a sesame seed allergy when I confirmed the res, I mentioned to my server I had a sesame seed allergy (it was in big bold letters on my receipt), when I was served my roll there appeared to be sesame seeds, I asked the ginormous man who served me my roll if these were sesame seeds, he proceeded to reassure me that it was "QUINOA", in a condescending tone. It was my birthday, I had tickets to events after dinner that I was not able to attend because it was in fact sesame seeds on the roll and I had to take 3 Benadryl so I wouldn't die. This can be very serious. I have been to some of the best sushi restaurants in the country, I have also been to some more budget friendly sushi restaurants and all of the restaurants I have been to never had an issue accommodating my allergy. I am very disappointed because I was really looking forward to this birthday dinner and I am disheartened the night ended the way it did.