by Jean Totti
Little Jo-To
This name probably sounds familiar to those who remember Jo-To Japanese Steak House in Sarasota, a culinary institution that stood for over 30 years, serving authentic Japanese food. Chef Van, Jo-To’s former head chef, now brings those same flavors to his own restaurant in Bradenton.
Little Jo-To offers a calm and serene space with inspiring murals and soft music to complement their personal attention to every meal. The menu offers traditional Japanese dishes, such as hibachi, tempura, and teriyaki, alongside a selection of sake, beer, and wine.
Little Jo-To is open for lunch and dinner. Lunch Specials offered Tuesday - Friday include four bento boxes: Hibachi, Tempura, Teriyaki, and Chicken Katsu. A bento box is a full meal combination with soup, salad, dumplings, and steamed or fried rice.
Preparation Styles
Hibachi: This preparation includes meat, seafood, and vegetable options. Hibachi literally means “fire bowl” and in today’s kitchen, this is achieved on a hot flat plate.
Tempura: This is prepared by deep frying any of your choices of meat, seafood, or vegetable and rendering it with a light crunchy batter crisp.
Teriyaki: This cooking involves marinating the meat, seafood, or vegetable in a sweet, savory, and thick sauce, then grilling or broiling it.
Chicken Katsu: A deep fried thinly pounded chicken cutlet covered in a panko dusting and sliced in thin strips, often served with a Japanese tomato or curry sauce.
Dinner Offerings
If you choose dinner, then I recommend starting your meal with appetizers like Shrimp Tempura, Seafood Egg Rolls, Gyoza, or Shumai. Similar to the lunch menu, dinner is served in the same four preparations or cooking techniques: Tempura, Hibachi, Teriyaki, or Chicken Katsu.
Additionally, they have traditional Japanese Curry dishes with steak, chicken, or seafood; Yaki Soba (Japanese egg noodles) served with steak, vegetables, or shrimp; and other items including Chicken, Vegetable, or Shrimp Fried Rice. All dinner meals are served with soup, salad, and white or fried rice.
Dessert
Dessert, probably my favorite course, didn’t disappoint. You can pick from:
Green Tea Ice Cream
Japanese Soda
Mochi Ice Cream
Tempura Banana
Oreo Tempura with Vanilla Ice Cream
Guess what, Oreo always wins! Once again, I have made myself hungry just writing about their food. It’s time to return for a good meal at Little Jo-To. Maybe I'll see you there!
Little Jo-To is located at:
5911 53rd Avenue East (SR 70)
Bradenton, Florida 34203
941-751-9703
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