Kru Contemporary Japanese Cuisine

Fantastic spot and pleasant surprise. I had (maybe unfairly) low expectations because it seemed overhyped and places that do "contemporary" spins on Japanese places often miss the mark. No issues here. They definitely stay true to Japanese food roots and improve upon, not Americanize.

I came on a Tuesday about an hour before closing and it was still pretty packed so definitely recommend a reservation if you can swing it. The service is really great. Everyone is really friendly, very helpful, and that really increases the enjoyment factor.

First off, I loved that they had several highball selections and clearly put some thought into it. A highball is a staple of most Japanese restaurants but you don't see a big focus in the US. I got the classic highball and it was perfect. The fizziness of the soda water and a right amount of whiskey with a hint of citrus. Highly recommend trying one of their highballs.

I got their miso soup and they had as one of their daily specials an asparagus appetizer. For $6, it better be a good miso soup. Not sure it's $6 worthy but it's a pretty good miso soup. Nice miso flavor that hasn't been overcooked, fresh tofu and mushrooms. Hit the spot.

The asparagus gets it's own highlight because it might have been the best asparagus dish I've ever had. Lightly fried katsu style, with soft cooked egg, greens, and a yuzu mayo sauce that was fanatic. It was too much for just one person but totally worth it.

I focused on their sushi because that's what I heard was great and it didn't disappoint. I was a little bummed they didn't have ama ebi but I got salmon, chutoro, and the firecracker. Everything was delicious. The salmon and chutoro tasted fresh and melted in your mouth. The firecracker wasn't overly heavy and the kimchi ponzu (while didn't have a strong kimchi flavor) perfectly complimented by adding a citrus flavor.

I really wish I could've ordered more and I'd recommend coming with a group to try a lot of different things. I hope I get a chance to do that soon. Will definitely be back.

The service here is always very attentive and kind.

Kru never disappoints. With a thoughtful and delicious menu, I always end up with a memorable dining experience. On this visit, we didn't have reservations and just took a chance. We were given a 45 minute wait time, but a spot opened up at the bar, so we sat after only about ten minutes.

I wasn't super hungry so I didn't order as much as usual but wanted to try the seasonal gazpacho -- also sake nigiri is my go to to satisfy a sushi craving. I hadn't tried the miso either. My husband ordered the Super B Roll and an old fashioned. He loved both.

The raw fish was fresh and tender. Gazpacho was incredible: simple yet flavorful and elevated with thoughtful ingredients. The miso seemed flavorful and more satisfying than other miso I've tried.

In the past I've loved the fresh oysters and literally everything else I've tried here. This place is a true dining experience. I've never been disappointed and always look forward to going again. The service, food, and drinks are top tier.

Loveee Kru! It's always super fresh and perfect for a date night or event. I took my boyfriend here to celebrate his birthday.

We sat near the bar and immediately felt the change in chairs. They much bigger now and the back space is way tooo far back it's uncomfortable. Almost like we need a pillow to sit normal.

I ordered the chefs choice nigiri and omg so bomb but I almost died ten times. Usually the amount of wasabi doesn't get me to crying but geeze.. after the second one I decided to flip the fish and realized the chef put sooooo much on all of the fishes. Didn't want to complain to the server so I keep it to myself. Please don't add so much wasabi .. I literally died every piece

It took a long time to get a reservation but it was totally worth it. We showed up on time and were sat within just a couple minutes of showing up. The booths were comfortable and I could hear my dinner companion speak without having to scream. We could hear other diners around us chatting, but couldn't hear their conversations, this is such a rare thing and restaurants these days so we loved that. From there, the cocktails were outstanding and the cocktail menu vast and creative. Our server, Emily was over the moon fantastic! We told her the things that we like to eat, and she guided us with expertise.
Fish was extremely fresh and prepared in the traditional Japanese style with wasabi and soy sauce applied lightly. The roll we had was amazing.
We would absolutely return, we thought it was a good value for the price, even though it's a little on the $$ side, and it was a completely comfortable, unrushed and delicious dinner experience.

This review is long overdue, but Kru Contemporary Japanese Cuisine deserves all the praise I can give. From the moment we walked in, everything about our experience was top-notch. The ambiance was relaxing and chill, adding to the overall enjoyment of the meal.

The freshness of the ingredients was evident in every bite, and the service was impeccable. Despite being a walk-in, we were seated promptly, and the attentive wait staff ensured that our meal was both enjoyable and seamless.

We indulged in several dishes, all of which were highlights. The Nigiri Mix - 10 Pieces - Chef's Choice was a standout, showcasing the chef's skill and the quality of the fish. Tesla Row was another exceptional choice, bursting with flavors that left us wanting more. The tempura cheesecake was it for me! It was delish, bursting with flavor and sweetness. Although I can't recall the name of one particular dish we tried, it was excellent and certainly memorable.

Kru Contemporary Japanese Cuisine is a must-visit for anyone in Sacramento. I'm already looking forward to returning with family and friends to share this gem with them.

My wife and I decided to try this restaurant on a Friday evening before heading to the movies, and we couldn't have been more pleased with our choice.

We walked in right as they opened without any reservations, and were promptly seated at a lovely table near the bar. The ambiance immediately stood out... it's elevated, sophisticated, and perfect for an intimate dining experience. The dim lighting around the bar area added a touch of warmth and coziness, setting the perfect mood for our evening.

We started our meal with the miso soup and duck dumpling. The miso soup was definitely more elevated than your typical miso soup. It was comforting and flavorful with the addition of mushrooms, a perfect beginning to the meal. The duck dumplings were delightful--perfectly cooked with a rich, savory filling that made each bite satisfying.

For our main course, we indulged in a variety of sushi rolls: the Tesla roll, Spicy B. Roll, and Caterpillar roll. Each roll was crafted with fresh ingredients and balanced flavors. The Tesla roll was particularly memorable, with a unique blend of textures and a hint of spice that really elevated the dish. The Spicy B. Roll had just the right amount of heat, and the Caterpillar roll was a delightful combination of grilled fresh water eel and avocado that melted in our mouths.

We finished our meal with the chocolate-black sesame torte, and it was the perfect ending. Rich, decadent, and just the right amount of sweetness to round off our dining experience.

The service was outstanding from start to finish. Our waitress was attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed to enjoy our meal. It was clear that they care deeply about their customers' experience, and they made our first visit a truly satisfying one for the books.

All in all, this restaurant exceeded our expectations in every way. The ambiance, food, and service were all top-notch, making it a fantastic choice for a special night out. We'll definitely be returning for another meal soon!

Delicious sashimi platter! The pic will speak for itself.

First time having caviar with potato chips and I loved it.

Only complaint was they served me rancid wine. Other than that, I will return for the fresh fish :)

Heads up: it's packed and noisy, Kid friendly and they have an hour half table seating limit.

Been going to Kru through the years so I'm not really sure why I haven't reviewed them until now. Went there recently and as always, great experience. The food was fresh and presentation is always superb. My most recent visit was on a Monday night and to my surprise, the place was PACKED. I didn't think it would be this busy considering the day but it was (I guess that's how you know it's good lol). I tried making reservations online the week prior but the website was being weird so we had to opt for a walk-in, which wasn't a problem as we were seated pretty quickly at the sushi bar.

As for the ambiance, place is dark as always. Very low lighting inside to create that nice dinner mood (adequate enough that I couldn't see where I was going lmao). Prices are still high, per usual, as this place has never been cheap. But it's also not super steep, so definitely worth it to go from time to time.

Forgot to take pictures this time, but will make sure to update on my next visit :)

Round 2 at this amazing sushi restaurant and I must say it did not disappoint. The service is always A1 & the ambiance as well. We sat at the bar to get a different experience and we loved it.

The Miso Tipsy is a 5/5 in taste and overall quality. Would definitely recommend that with your sushi. As for rolls, we went with the Kings Roll, California w/ Tobiko roll & ZigZag roll, followed with some Nigiri pieces of king salmon & wagyu. I loved the Nigiri pieces, super fresh and tasteful. My least favorite is as the ZigZag roll, next time I'll stick with having it as a hand roll.

I tried Kru for the first time yesterday evening and we made reservations about a month in advance. Even that early, finding a time after work, we had to pick a time later in the day. So if you're thinking about going, make your reservation!

We arrived 45 minutes early to our reservation and were told that our table wouldn't be ready until the reservation time. They moved us up to be the next seated due to our early arrival. We waited about 25 minutes for a table that opened up outside on the patio. We were offered a drink menu while we waited to get started.

The miso margarita stood out to us and we got two! The salty foam on top was a nice touch and we liked the drinks.

We ordered the Gyoza which was delicious! It came with a dipping sauce, a couple pickled veggies and the Gyoza had a crust on it that was crispy. They did not disappoint!

Our server recommended the sunshine roll and one of his favorites. I'm glad we went with this roll because it was unique without being too far gone from a sushi roll.

We saved the 10 piece nigiri for last and we were excited that it had bluefin on it because that was also described to be a top favorite by our server. He described it as fatty and buttery. The presentation of the nigiri was beautiful and the fish were vibrant. Under each fish was a little bit of wasabi which added a kick to the flavor. The fish was not as buttery as I thought it would be. The fish had unique and intricate details which I enjoyed but overall, I have to say I didn't think the fish was the best I've ever had.

I was comparing the bluefin to kampachi which is very buttery tasting and was a little bummed that they didn't have it on their menu.

Overall, Kru is elegant and tasteful and a great food spot to try in Sacramento! Everything was beautiful from the layout of the restaurant to the food presentation on our plates. I'd love to come back and try more!

Oh, are we doing a Kru review? I'm surprised I haven't done one yet.

I started going to Kru when it was a plucky little upstart inhabiting the old bones of the original Celestine's on J st. The omakase bar only had like 5 seats. When Kru stepped up their game to the new location on Folsom, they certainly expanded the number of sushi bar seats as well as everything else. Like Virginia Slims: they've come a long way, baby.

Look, I've been to Kru like 100 times over the years. I've done the omakase. I've done the 'dine at the bar.' I've done the normal table service. I've had the late night hamburger which is much better than any sushi place has a right to offer. I've done the huge, ornate presentations where we just let Billy do whatever he wanted. This place cares about food and cares about the food it gives you.

And their drink program has been phenomenal since they moved into the new space. Yes, I know multiple people have been in charge of it, but it's been consistently wonderful.

So, I know what you're thinking. "James, it's so expensive." "James, I can go somewhere else for a deep fried tempura sushi roll that's way cheaper." First off: get your shit together and stop eating rolls. Put on your big boy pants and get a nigiri or sashimi mix plate. Yeah, it's not cheap. Wanna know why? Because fresh, high quality fish sent to a place 90 miles from the ocean is fucking expensive! You shouldn't be questioning sushi that's NOT cheap. You should be questioning sushi that IS cheap. Have you gone to other cities that do higher end sushi? Go to Sushi Yashida or Nobu or Kusokabe or Morimoto and report back on the price. Yeah, that's what I thought.

Kru gets it right. The food is great. The drinks are great. The bartenders are great. I'll keep coming back. If you want cheap, Google 'Bento box Sacramento' and enjoy your 50% cockroach roll. I'm out.