About
meet chef kengo kato
Kengo Kato is the Chef Owner of Kengo Sushi & Yakitori and Kato Ramen and the creator of Shobu by Kengo, inside Toledo's Hollywood Casino. Born and raised in New York City to Japanese immigrants, Kengo’s love of food began as a boy when he started working at his parents’ three NYC restaurants. After traveling the world and the United States, learning his craft, and helping others open and perfect their restaurants, Kengo focused on his own ventures by settling in Toledo, Ohio, where he lives with his business partner and wife Amanda and their two children. The Katos are incredibly proud of the jobs their restaurants are creating for the city that has given so much to them.
“This city has not only been the backbone of our success, but it has fulfilled my dream of expressing my art on multiple stages.
Toledo is bursting with enthusiasm and heart, and I couldn’t be prouder to call it my home," said Kengo.
Our historY — Papa K
Few Americans knew what sashimi, nigiri, ramen, and even karaoke was until Isao Kato (“Papa K”) made his mark on New York City throughout the middle 60s-to-late 90s. The courage to leave Japan and bring sushi to 5th Avenue has arguably set the standard of sushi restaurants in America. Born in Kitamoto, Japan in 1941, Isao left his home to live the American dream with his wife Hiroko in 1962. He opened his first restaurant Yamashiro on 5th Avenue in 1966, laying the groundwork for Sushi and traditional Japanese cuisines in America.
Papa K has played an instrumental role in his son Kengo’s three restaurants: Kengo Sushi & Yakitori, Kato Ramen, and Shobu by Kengo. His influences can be found in the beautiful brushwork and creative touches in all three restaurants. He often visits Toledo from Japan, where he can frequently be found greeting guests, helping out behind the counter, or enjoying time with his grandchildren. .
our menus
The Kengo brand is known to provide high-quality service, fresh ingredients, and feelings of small-town hospitality yet big-city vibes.
Each Kengo restaurant has a unique menu to provide an indivudal experience. At Kengo Sushi & Yakatori, guests can take on a two-hour culinary journey that consists of 12-14 courses with Omakase ("leave it to the chef"). At Shobu by Kengo, guests can find Kengo staples like negitoro rolls, bacon-wrapped tomatoes, wagyu, and skipjack, along with other custom Shobu menu items. At Kato Ramen, guests can find authentic Japanese classics such as shoyu ramen, as well as a signature soup, known as the "Vegan Bowl," made up of cashew-based broth with hints of garlic and ginger.