Tomo Japanese Restaurant

Update: 5/26/2025 = No more dinner Bento Box, so sad!!! Hope you bring it back. Also, do you not have servers anymore?! Everything still tastes great, but why the changes? The Bento Box is always great, with a good variety of foods in the box! I always get extra yum yum sauce for the shrimp! The Hibatchi Steak and shrimp is great too, it's a big portion. The service is always nice! Sometimes there's a bit of a wait for the food, but it is a small place, and it always comes out good!

I am absolutely astonished at how good the sushi is here. I got 3 rolls this evening and I must say that the Black Dragon roll is one of the best rolls I've ever had! 10/10 would recommend.

I dined here tonight with my daughter and husband, and our order wasn't big. We just ordered two hot teas, the teriyaki chicken with rice for my husband two veggie sushi rolls for me, and one tempura sushi roll and salmon sushi roll for my daughter. We waited over an hour to get our food (and it came out one plate at a time when it did come out) to the point that my husband had to ask our server what was taking so long. The server explained that they had to process the sushi orders "as they got them" but he was waiting on a tables that came in after us and bringing them their sushi and larger orders. The server also waited 25-30 minutes in to come and tell me that they were out of the sushi that I ordered, so I had to reorder another one. My husband ordered the teriyaki chicken with rice. When he got his meal it was lukewarm, not fresh and hot. It tasted like it had been sitting out a bit. Thr thing was it didn't seem super busy during this time, and the server never once apologized for the super long wait or even acknowledged it, even when my husband asked why it was taking so long. By the time my party of three got their meals (again one at a time) we felt rushed by the server, and I was taken slightly aback by how small my sushi rolls were, which were really teeny tiny. I had even asked the server how many pieces the sushi came in, and he told me "they all come in either 5, 6, or 8, but the pieces are all the same size. Everyone else's sushi rolls were much bigger than my small tiny ones. Not somewhere we will be returning.

Last week, I had dinner at Tomo for the first time. I was blew away by the delicious and perfect seafood soup. The service was great and the place is sparkly clean and comfortable.

Recently went here with the gf to celebrate Valentines day and Tomo knocked it out if the park with their food. We ordered the Spicy girl roll, Eel and avocado roll, and the King calamari roll. Personally, the Eel and avocado roll were my favorite of the three, but all three were amazing! It did take a little bit to get to our table, but that's to be expected when the restaurant is super busy and when we order three rolls. All and all, highly highly recommend!

EDIT: came back in 5/18/25…and a lot of the previous negative reviews were ringing true. Service fell super short and didn’t get our food until almost an hour later after ordering. They had a disgusting channel running on some bizarre food that was very unappealing. And both me and my friend have stomach pain after eating there…really disappointed after this round. Guess I won’t be back… Came in with my partner and ordered gyoza, fried spring rolls, clear soup, angel roll, yellow river roll and the sushi & sashimi combo for 2. Loved everything. The rolls were divine. The combo was filled with a great variety and didn’t have filler pieces (like shrimp or fake crab that some places do). It was all fish - red snapper, tuna belly, salmon, red tuna, white tuna and yellowtail. I will tell you that everything reminded me of when I lived in VA where the fish was so fresh that it basically made you think it came straight from the ocean. My only regret is that I didn’t get pictures. The service was nice and our food came out in a good timeframe. Definitely will be back!

The only thing I really have to complain about is the time it took to get a table. There was a large party paying as we were coming in. Very little room as you enter. No one acknowledged us and it took almost 10 mins to be sat for whatever reason. Otherwise the food came out quickly. Servers were nice. Crab rangoons were very good but I would skip the calamari. The dressing on the salad looked like baby vomit.

Staff was amazing and helpfull but more inportantly the food was amazing. I used to think I hate japaneese food (I think sakura ruined it for me) I had the beef teryaki and fillet mignon side. The teryaki sauce is to die for and don't even get me started on the yum yum sauce. Proportions seemed big but ended up being just the perfect amount. Best Japanese place I have personally ever been. Price is on the high side but it's 100% worth it.

I waited a bit to post this review, especially considering all of the great reviews that were before. I truly hope it was just a bad day for them, but sadly our experience was bad enough, I most likely won't return to find out. When we first got there, there was a short wait (not unexpected), but didn't take long for us to get seated. We were quickly greeted by our server, who took our drink orders, and proceeded to check on nearby tables (positive vibes so far). We had to wait a little bit for our drinks (most of us just had water), but they were busy, so not a big concern. We then waited nearly 10 minutes before he returned to take our order (starting to question the decision to come here already). We each order sushi tools for appetizer, as well as an order of crab Rangoon, then we each ordered hibachi meals. About 20 minutes later the server comes by with our Rangoon, soups, and salads, and asks us if we are ok with appetizers (sushi) coming after the meal. We found it a little odd, but figured the other option was our meals sitting and getting cold so said "I guess". We then quickly got our meals (confirming that they would have been sitting), which we found all of our meats to be significantly overcooked (my medium steak was very well done), and rather bland flavor. Just as we decided to let this pass, we got our sushi. Between our table, we had five different rolls, and to be as fair as I can, they were so lacking in flavor, that if blindfolded, there would have only been one that you could have distinguished by flavor. We had high hopes, for this based on prior reviews, but sadly those hopes were crushed. I do honestly hope we just had a bad day, but it appeared that this was normal by what we saw and overheard from other tables. Overall feel. Food 1/5 (it was bland, overcooked, and flavorless, with the crab Rangoon, and salad taking the spotlight). Service 2/5 very slow, and got worse as the meal progressed, and would rush off before waiting for a response after asking "need anything?" Atmosphere was overall nice so would say 3.5/5 for it.

What a delightful surprise! We were in St. Joseph picking up some hardware store stuff and decided on a whim to stop at Tomo because we hadn't had sushi for ages. We so glad we did! We ordered two Sapporos, edamame, and seaweed salad to start. The beer was cold and the appetizers tasted great. They also came out quite quickly. We had three rolls--the Manhattan and I forget the other two. I'd never had jalapeño sushi before, and it was in two of the rolls. I really enjoyed that. All three were flavorful and looked beautiful. They came out quickly as well. The best part of the meal, though, was Wei, our server. What a great guy--smiley, super friendly, and so cheerful!! After a long week, he was really refreshing. He also brought stuff quickly and stopped by just enough. Great food and great service! We'll be back!!

There aren't many good ethnic restaurants in St Joseph, but this is definitely one! The service is always great and it is quiet and chill. I LOVE the shrimp and steak hibachi. That rice is so umptious, I cannot get enough of it (don't get me wrong, the portions are generous, it is just SO GOOD). My husband gets sushi and is always pleased. We have also tried tempura, it was also good. Highly recommend!!

I really enjoyed it!!! I kept it pretty simple but that's because they had all of my favorite things so I ordered those. Great service and they had a huge menu. Very good prices

Always delicious- we always sit at the sushi bar to enjoy fresh sashimi and sushi! We love the black pepper tuna appetizer - sashimi yellowtail and salmon - sushi eel - and one of their signature sushi rolls!

So much food! Everything we got was delicious! It was a busy place so I'm glad we ordered ahead and did pickup.

We decided to try Tomo last night and we were sadly disappointed. We were seated at 7:30 and placed our orders which consisted of two hibachi entrees, an order of crab Rangoon, gyoza, a sushi entree, and some other sushi rolls. The hibachi arrived after 8 which is fine but the sushi didn't arrive until 8:45 and I would say the quality was subpar. Rolls were very loosely rolled and the sushi had very little rice compared to the size of the fish. The best way I can describe the rolls were they looked sad. For the size of the restaurant (which is very small) you wouldn't imagine it taking as long as it did to get sushi. Sadly we will not be returning. With that said our waiter was amazing and very helpful, the timing of the food was not in their control.

Best sushi in town, such friendly staff and always fast service! We go here at least twice a month maybe more, so convenient and delicious!

If I could give a 0 I would. This was the worst experience. Over an hour and fifteen minutes went by for one sushi roll to never be made. After an hour of waiting and politely asking if they hadn't started it to just cancel. They were totally fine with having the soup charges. No apology. Just a check handed to us and walked off. We were not rude. Simply just had somewhere to be and coming in at a not so busy time and having that experience is not okay. If you have time to kill and wait forever. This is the place to go.

i read some good reviews on this place. that was my first mistake - believing those positive comments. we got seated in a rather dirty booth. waited. waited. waited. finally, someone came over. i was not sure if she was a server, or just passing by. she brought us waters eight minutes later. immediately left before we could order something with alcohol, which would surely dull the sting of what was yet to come. someone else came to the table and took our drink orders. i should have ordered two drinks, as i already knew the service was going to prove iffy, at best. we waited for a long enough period for me to have started planting some seedling grapes, to craft my own wine. we quickly ordered two appetizers and entrées when we received our wine and beer. no glass for the beer. you drink it like you're in a saloon - straight outta the bottle. extended wait for appetizers, we placed bets on how long it would take to see the aforementioned food. appetizers arrived! no dining plates though. entrées arrived less than ten minutes later, as did the included dinner salads and soup. i did not recall ordering a hunk of fat (see accompanying yuck picture). plus, as an added insult, the food wasn't even tasty. no flavor, extremely bland. no spice. server came back twice - once to point to a water glass so it could be refilled; and to take some half eaten salads/soups away. the next time to leave the check. the worst part was no fortune cookies! now how am i supposed to know how to say 'umbrella' in mandarin, or what my lucky numbers are? the humanity. total bill for two drinks, two appetizers, two entrees and two stomachaches - $65.21.

Pleasantly surprised by the quality and variety of sushi. The chef got our orders out in a timely fashion the presentation and taste was delicious. Along with good quality, service, and presentation was the value. The only tricky part is they close for a break between lunch and supper. We are definitely coming back when shopping in St. Joe.

Still ahhhmazing!! Just adding a couple new photos. This is a wonderful place to eat.

Service was wonderful and the sushi was delicious! It used to be Chinese restaurant and I am enjoying having a Japanese lunch option.

My family orders takeout from here once a week. We love Tomo! The food is so good, the staff are so friendly, and our order is always accurate, fresh, and ready when it says it will be.

This place is a nice little family owned in St Joe. We dine here once a month when I'm in town visiting. Everything is really good: Spring rolls, Crab rangoon, Sushi rolls...

We are transplants from Rancho Cucamonga, California to Saint Joseph Missouri. And frankly our move here has been a culture shock. And we have really have found it very hard to find clean, fine, fresh quality cuisine of any kind. We gave Tomo a shot! And so glad we did. We have been regulars for dinning in & ordering out. At Tomo we have found a little bit of what this California couple are use to eating. And it really has helped us out...especially when being homesick & missing Cali. Thank you, Tomo family. Edric & Hilda Zaruba

This is the new sushi place in town. The store is nice and the food was fresh and amazing. Love it. Definitely will go back

Great good and service! Sushi has always fresh and hibachi chicken always slap as well

If I could give a place 0 stars for being fraudulent I would. In all honesty, the old saying "they're milking them for all their worth" ties perfectly with the staff at Tomo. I was in after church when my girlfriend stated to the waitress: "I'd like the 3 roll combo" (worth only 16$). The waitress saw her flip the pages of the menu, but point out the sushi, and order the 3 rolls. When lunch came to an end the waitress handed us our bill and left. I don't mean left as in left and came back to pick up the bill but left with the intention of not coming out to the general area until the snake oil was sold, with tip. The bill had been charged for 3 individual "signature rolls," totaling out to about 36$ total. We caught on quick and proceeded to wait for the waitress to ask why we'd been charged so much. After 15 minutes and still no attendance. We asked for her service from her "boss." When she came out here demeanor had changed completely, almost as if she knew that we hadn't bought the snake oil. When we told her about the charge she said that it was our fault for not knowing, because as a waiter ,who knows the menu, it's not the bare minimum to catch on to a 120 pound female ordering 3 whole sushi rolls instead of the combo she had specifically asked for. She said it was our fault and that she would talk to her boss. The boss just reiterated the rules robotically without even opening the door that the waitress, who had all the fault, had done anything wrong. We paid and went on our way. I'd just like to know what someone gets out of attempting to cheat others out of their pride and money. And for what? To beef up the bill to get 2 dollars more in tips? You can cheat a sick man with snake oil but not a lawyer and doctor‍

One of our favorite restaurants in St. Joe. Always friendly and clean. The food has always been amazingly yummy! Not a sushi person but have heard that it is excellent.

Tomo is unbelievable. Excellent food, prices, and service. I'm still genuinely surprised we have a Japanese restaurant in this city of this caliber.

My family loves this Japanese Steakhouse. The wait may get to be a little bit long at times, but the food is well worth it!

Came early 4:30 for dinner - was seated right away. Waiter took over 20 minutes to take our order and our food didn't come for another 45 minutes. When it did it was cold and obviously left under a warmer for an extended time. The waiter never came and checked or asked if we needed anything .

The only trusted, quality option for sushi in town. The owners are incredible people. The environment is always clean and modern, and the food is of the highest quality. As someone who is fairly picky on Sushi offerings, I have found Tomo's options as good as they come.

Good food grate service every thing I have tried there is good never gad a bad meal ore dad service there

Came in after a graduation to celebrate tonight. Great apps to start. They were fresh and tasty and quick to arrive. We ordered 4 rounds of sushi and rolls all delicious. The Tokyo roll was our favorite. We will stop here every time we visit.

as a person who moved to missouri from a coastal state, Sushi was just one of those things i'd resigned myself to missing in my new home. thankfully, Tomo has proven to me that i can find solid, good sushi anywhere! their lunch specials are a great deal, and their sushi choices are solid. their quality is great, and i've never been disappointed! i highly recommend Tomo!

It was good. We enjoyed our lunch here while traveling through the area. My son especially enjoyed his udon. Service was efficient.

Great service! We drove far just to try this place and was not disappointed. Food are so delicious and fresh. We waited long for our food but understandable but hopefully better next time. Lots of selections.

The food was excellent! I ordered Hibachi Fillet Migon which was cooked perfectly however the service was very slow. This was a big bummer and it was all very humid in there. Overall a pretty good experience!

They have some of the best Asian food available in town. Wide menu to choose from. Well laid out to go orders with all the needed supplies.

Excellent new restaurant in the St Joseph area. We were upset seeing the Oriental Restaurant close but I think that this will be a welcome new addition to the community. Service was a little slow as they get into a routine but the kindness of the employees and the taste of the food easily make up for this. We were there at lunch time in a Friday, will need to make this a stop when we are back in town for dinner. Our family had the lunch bento box, several of the hibachi dishes and a few sushi rolls and all tasted excellent.

You absolutely have to have the filet mignon roll, it is so mouthwatering-ly delicious. I would love if they added a kids menu instead of ordering sides of what you want. I'm not a fan of the weird closing hours, being a little understaffed at times when it's overly busy (it could be family owned) and no alcohol served. Hopefully they are able to change that soon but the food is absolutely delicious and the staff is always very sweet. Edamame, amazing veggie friendly options and the best miso soup in town. My family is so happy this place opened up cause I felt like the other Japanese restaurant had very little flavor profile in the food, no taste differences from the sushi to the hibachi at that place.

Tomo is delicious, best sushi in St. Joseph, MO. Wei is our favorite waiter and makes us feel like family! I'm addicted and visit Tomo at least 3 times a month.

We got seated after waiting 20 minutes. We then had to wait 45 minutes just to get water and another 10 minutes to get our food order even taken. This dinner was suppose to be a celebration and was everything but enjoyable. Very disappointed.

The food here is amazing. So much more flavor than the other restaurant in town. The service was a little slow but the time I was there was not a normal lunch or dinner time. The inside was clean and not cluttered.

The best crab Rangoon I've ever had. Everything we've ordered through here has been great! They can get busy and there can be a long wait, especially at peak eating times so don't expect to just walk in and sit down. Highly recommended.

We had a party of 6. Waited 2 hours and still did not receive our entrees after several tables after us did. We had to ask our server multiple times for updates and refills. We ended up walking out after being told several times it would only be ten more minutes. Would not recommend.

Went for the first time today. We had the bento lunch box, it was plenty of food with gyoza, california roll, rice and I had the one with shrimp tempura. The tempura was hot and delicious, two big shrimp, some sweet potato onion and broccoli tempura. The meal began with a little bowl of miso soup - it was ok, but seemed a little weak - maybe because i am used to the stronger misos out there. The waiter was very attentive and service was fast. We will be back - there is a huge menu!

We went on the day they opened so this should be taken into consideration. I had the hibachi shrimp, it was cooked correctly my main complaint was the fried rice, I wasn't cooked long enough and was rather bland. Prices were rather high, but cheaper than Sakura. The food was also better I will be back.

Absolutely delicious!Kinda Surprising St Joe got a good sushi place but a pleasant one,Very Cool inside to sit down and eat but takeout is so easy my girlfriend and I can't stop.The lunch specials are super good deal for how good the food is too!

This place was recommended to us by a friend and I am SO GLAD we tried it. The staff is so friendly and the food is excellent. Definitely a hidden gem, we will be back soon!

Wonderful new restaurant in St Joe. Sushi is creative and delicious. Waitress was super nice and attentive. If you are a little unsure with the chopsticks, ask for the 'trainers'. Our new favorite restaurant in town.