kato restaurant

Kato in Los Angeles' Arts District offers a Michelin-starred Taiwanese-inspired tasting menu, blending Asian-American flavors in a sleek, minimalist space

In the heart of Los Angeles’ Arts District, tucked inside a sleek, understated space, Kato quietly asserts itself as one of the city’s most exceptional dining experiences. Helmed by Michelin-starred chef Jon Yao, this Taiwanese-American tasting menu destination is where precision meets poetry. Each dish was a thoughtful meditation on heritage, flavor, and form.

When Johann made our reservation, I knew we were in for something special. What I didn’t expect was a culinary experience so elegant. Reflecting on this later, this meal reminded me of my dinner at La Paix in Tokyo, Japan.  It truly felt like a beautifully composed narrative. From the first bite to the last sip of the alcohol-free pairing flight, the evening played out with the grace and refinement.

After taking our seats and browsing the menu, the tasting menu commenced:

Chicken Liver

Shallot, Stone Fruit

 

Dungeness Crab

Soy Preserves, Doubanjiang

Sweet Shrimp

Nori, Rice

Black Throat Sea Perch

Tomato, Shiso

Caviar

Celery, Corn, Milk Bread, Garlic

Sea Urchin

Iberico Ham, Brown Butter

Golden Eye Snapper

Ginger, Negi

Scallop

Fish Fragrant Sauce, Szechuan Peppercorn

Duck

Menegi, Duck Sausage

A5 Wagyu

Beef Tendon, Sour Chinese Mustard

Mango

Yogurt, Sesame

Boba

Boniato Yam, Cheese

 

Alcohol Free Flight

Leitz, Eins Zwei Zero, Sparkling Riesling, Rheingau, Germany

2020 Flein, Sauvignon Blanc, Sudsteiermark, Austria

Garden Tonic – cucumber, bitter melon and white peony

Eric Bordelet, Jus De Pommes A Sydre, Chateau de Hauteville, Normandy, France

2020 Studio Null, Sparkling Rosé, Portugieser and Silvaner, Rheinhessen, Germany

Five Spice Shandy – Free Wave Hazy IPA with pineapple, tepache cordial and ginger

Domaine Des Grottes, L’Antidote, Sparkling Gamay, Beaujolais, France

Mango Spritz – Valencia pride mango, passion fruit, 2021 Navarro Vineyards gewurztraminer and yakult

Amazake Swizzle – masala chai, coconut, almond and lime

We did experience a slight lapse in service. But, it was quickly rectified when brought to their attention.

Kato’s prestige doesn’t scream – it hums. It’s the kind of place that earns its accolades through quiet confidence, exacting technique, and an unwavering commitment to nuance. Each dish was crafted with intention.

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