Sushi Sake Restaurant Kiyota

[내돈내산] I have only experienced omakase in Japan and Korea, from small casual counters to high-end restaurants. As someone who truly loves sashimi, I was curious to try omakase in Saigon during this trip. And as expected, it turned out to be a very… different experience. The restaurant is located in a small alley and the walk in feels very raw and very Vietnamese. The area in front of the restaurant was somewhat messy, with wastewater, which slightly dampened my first impression. Inside, the space is quite small and not very organized. When I sat down at the counter, the table had not yet been set up and everything felt a bit unfinished, which left me slightly confused at the start of the meal. I was seated at the counter. On both sides were groups of Vietnamese and foreign guests, drinking and chatting rather loudly. By traditional omakase standards, this definitely makes it harder to focus on the food. But seen from another angle, it is also a very Saigon scene: lively, spontaneous, and unconstrained. From my experiences in Japan and Korea, the chef usually controls the pace of the meal, and each piece is meant to be eaten immediately at its optimal moment. Communication between the chef and the guest, even if brief, is an essential part of the omakase experience. Here, the chef did introduce the dishes, but his voice was very soft and quite fast, and most of the explanations involved foreign culinary terms. In a rather noisy environment, it was almost impossible to clearly hear or fully understand what was being said. This felt a bit unfortunate, as that sense of connection and storytelling is such a beautiful part of the omakase spirit. I imagine the chefs are working extremely hard, serving many guests at once, which may leave them with little energy for extended conversation. As for the food itself, in my personal opinion, it was acceptable but not particularly memorable, lacking a clear standout moment. Considering the price of one course, I had hoped for a stronger overall impression. That said, I do not consider this a “bad” experience. On the contrary, it was unique in its own Saigon way. Every city interprets omakase differently, shaped by its environment, people, and rhythm of life. If there is one thing I genuinely wish for, it is that the chefs here receive better support. Whether through higher pay, more staff, or fewer guests per seating, so the true spirit of omakase can be preserved. I believe that when chefs are less exhausted, refinement and connection naturally return to the food. A different experience, full of thoughts, and a very honest snapshot of omakase in Saigon. 🫶😊

Sushi Sake Restaurant Kiyota is a quiet little gem tucked away on Phạm Viết Chánh. From the outside, it doesn’t look like much, but once you step in, the space feels warm, intimate, and pleasantly calm — almost like entering a small, private dining nook in Japan. The sushi and sashimi are fresh and thoughtfully prepared. Every course feels deliberate, with clean flavors and good balance. The omakase is also surprisingly affordable, especially considering the quality and portion sizes. I truly expected more — and at this price point, everything feels just right. It’s not flashy, not overly complicated, but it delivers exactly what it promises. I’ve tried omakase at many places, and to be honest, this isn’t a jaw-dropping, unforgettable “wow” experience — but it is a very solid and safe choice. The type of place you can rely on when you want good sushi without any disappointments. Their willingness to adjust the omakase based on budget or preferences is a thoughtful touch, and the complimentary dessert at the end rounds things off nicely. Service is friendly and attentive without being intrusive, and the overall pace of the meal is relaxed and enjoyable. Just keep in mind that the seating is extremely limited, so booking in advance is a must. If you’re looking for a dependable, cozy spot for quality Japanese food — especially a quiet date night — this place is definitely worth visiting 🍣✨

I can’t recommend sushi kiyota enough!! They were beyond accommodating for our party of 8 guests. We all did the 1.6 million vnd omakase dinner set and sat at the counter. It was so much food and the service was exceptional; drinks were constantly filled, we lost a phone on a taxi and the staff helped us locate it, the sushi chefs explained the menu in english, and we ordered a few extra dishes a la carte. The owner is Japanese and we met him and bought him + the sushi chefs sake. It’s an amazing deal for the price and we cannot recommend this enough. We come from California where people can be sushi snobs and we all LOVED it. Would absolutely come back!!

It's our first experience with omakase and let me tell you it did not disappoint at all! in fact, our visit to Kiyota changed our taste for the better! solid menu sets, spectacular services, top notch ingredients. we were paired with chef San and he was very welcoming, diligent and knowledgeable in his art. He guided us through the journey and shared were very engaging throughout, we learned a bit more about not just the food but the art itself here. I'd recommend San's signature 'big fat juicy scallop', it tasted exactly like what I described. My highest compliment! my only feedback is that their pos machine was supposedly 'broken' when we presented our card, didn't go well with the philosophy of doing a few simple things well :). but we will definitely come back another time. I would recommend everyone to try out this place.

Based on online recommendation, tried out this omakase place. Food was fresh, price was reasonable and experience was overall above average. Unfortunately, we booked last minute and couldn’t get the counter seating which would have elevated the “hands-on” interaction. Tried both the 1.6m and 1.3m sets and only difference I can see was the addition of the single wagu dish and 3 varieties of tuna (vs 1). I would recommend this place for substance (value) vs show. If one has been to Japan, nothing will compare but in Saigon, this will do for the “basic” omakase experience.

Kiyota is the omakase restaurant I visit the most. I come almost every month. The courses are reasonably priced with consistently good quality, seasonal ingredients, and well-balanced flavors. Lan - the manager, is very kind and attentive, which makes the experience even more comfortable. A reliable omakase place that I’m always happy to return to.

This place came highly recommended by the team at Oaksip Whiskey and Cocktail bar. And the food and service here don’t disappoint. Thong, San and Lan took great care of us and the food is fantastic. We will definitely come back in our next visit to HCMC.

The food is good and of good quality. The have 3 set menu. We had the 1.6 mill. They serve a lot of raw fish, altho they will cook it if you ask. But to eat a raw shrimp is not my taste. The sushi was excellent 👌 The wagyu was a bit small and not what I expected when ordering wagyu meat. It was cooked to well done en like a rollade. The best tables are at the kitchen, the other tables I would not recommend if you want to see the action and be served by the chefs.