Opened in 2009 by Mae Brown and Yi Ho Suk, Kabuki is a small but upscale Chinese restaurant and sushi bar which has brought a very distinct Korean flare to Dayton’s south suburbs. Chinese food is abundant in this town, most of it generic and forgettable. Kabuki is an outstanding business, both for its diverse selection of dishes and for the genuine care and excitement of the staff that create its dishes. The people here are proud to bring you the best food they can make. I’m therefore proud to give this place my highest regards.
Kabuki has an exquisite menu of sushi, ranging from some fairly basic varieties commonly found in local grocery stores to some of the tastiest rolls I’ve ever tried. From the sweet and textural crunch munch roll, to the spicy and flavorful TNT roll, the different varieties are certainly a home run. If there was ever a great sushi place I would recommend, this would be it.
- Corona Roll: Spicy tuna and avocado roll topped with white tuna, a lime wasabi and a lemonade sauce. Refreshing! That citrus taste will clear your palette. Good with rolls that have darker fish.
- Mafia Roll: Salmon and yellow tail and scallions topped with tuna, avocado and sauces. I like the roll for its salmon and sauces, a sturdy choice with lots of fish.
- Crunch Munch Roll: This option, with shrimp and a sweet sauce, is a pretty safe bet for a specialty roll, and one of the less expensive options.
The regular menu is also great. The dishes are a mix of your typical Chinese and Korean restaurant foods and some unusual foods, but extra fancy. Even the stereotypical Chinese restaurant cuisine has an upgrade here.
- Orange chicken: The orange chicken is cooked masterfully, lightly battered and stir fried with fresh vegetables to be absolutely delicious.
- Monkey Balls: fried and stuffed mushrooms in a spicy sauce.
- Kimchijeon: A pancake made with Korean kimchi, seafood and onions mixed into a batter and fried. A tasty and savory appetizer.
- Agedashi Tofu: Lightly fried tofu topped with a teriyaki sauce. While it’s not necessarily true to the original Japanese version which is served in a broth, the frim, crispy tofu will do.
Kabuki’s service is among the very best. The owners are very pleasant and always on hand to converse with customers and refill water. I came in once during lunch rush, once during dinner rush and at a random time of the day, and food came quickly each time. The people are very friendly and pleasant and the environment is just perfect for a date night out or a nicer dinner with the family. As a semi-fine dining establishment, this place excels at making great food and a pleasant experience for the diner, whether you’re really into Asian cuisine or are just looking for something new to sample. Kabuki is well worth the price.
Recommendations
- Kabuki has some of the best sushi in town. If you’re an aficionado or a newbie looking to try some new rolls, it’s absolutely a great option.
- The food comes quickly and the service is pleasant. The atmosphere is a little upscale and I’d recommend a little bit of dressing up, and bringing a date to try the wine selection.
- There are plenty of refined Chinese dishes on the menu if sushi isn’t your thing.
Another Food Critic 
“Kabuki is a small but upscale Chinese restaurant ” Why would you say this when the restaurant sign in the picture clearly says “Korean – Japanese Restaurant?”