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Kato
Master Critic Reviews (7 Lists)
Kato
9.2
Chef Jon Yao’s Taiwanese-American tasting menu weaves market seafood into deeply personal, technique-forward courses with quiet confidence. Expect meticulously balanced flavors, luxe ingredients, and a beverage program that’s as thoughtful as the plates. It’s a destination meal that still feels rooted in LA’s Arts District energy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Egg custard with crab, Fish maw with caviar, Crab bolo bao
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 9
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: A Michelin-starred Taiwanese tasting menu that treats seafood as the main narrative.
Who should go: Food travelers and celebratory diners seeking a splurge.
When to visit: Weeknights for calmer pacing; weekends for full buzz.
What to order: Tasting menu; crab custard; bolo bao add-ons.
Insider tip: Book bar seats for a shorter, more flexible experience.
Kato
8.9
Jonathan Yao’s one-star Michelin tasting menu blends Taiwanese memory with modern California sourcing, landing in a sleek ROW DTLA dining room. Expect bold, deeply savory plates that move from refined snacks to elaborate mains with confident technique.
Must-Try Dishes:
Taiwanese-influenced tasting menu, Seasonal uni and seafood courses, Housemade milk bread with cultured butter
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 8.9
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Michelin-starred Taiwanese-California tasting menu with serious craft.
Who should go: Food nerds chasing inventive, culture-rooted fine dining.
When to visit: Early seatings for the most relaxed pacing.
What to order: Tasting menu, supplemental seafood add-ons, dessert course.
Insider tip: Bar tasting seats are often easier to snag than dining room.
Kato
9.0
Michelin-starred Taiwanese fine dining from chef Jon Yao, delivering seafood-driven tasting menus with bright acid, smoke, and impeccable technique. The meal is modern, deeply rooted in heritage, and paced for a long celebratory evening. A destination for ‘once-in-a-while’ dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal tasting menu, Signature seafood courses, Taiwanese-inspired desserts
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Taiwanese tasting menus executed with Michelin-level restraint and clarity.
Who should go: Anniversary pairs and milestone birthday splurgers.
When to visit: Early dinner for the freshest energy.
What to order: Tasting menu, seafood centerpiece, cocktail pairing.
Insider tip: Bar tasting is a shorter, easier-to-book celebration option.
Kato
9.1
Chef Jon Yao’s Taiwanese-American tasting menu is one of LA’s most personal fine-dining experiences, balancing precision with comfort-memory flavors. The Row DTLA space is minimalist and calm, letting the kitchen’s seasoning and technique lead. Awards and Michelin recognition make this a true special-occasion pick.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish maw with Dungeness crab and red vinegar, Spice-crusted duck with bao, Seasonal market vegetable courses
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 9
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: A Michelin-starred Taiwanese-LA tasting menu with chef-driven storytelling.
Who should go: Serious diners celebrating something big.
When to visit: Dinner reservations midweek for a quieter pace.
What to order: Tasting menu, duck course, crab dishes.
Insider tip: Watch for bar-seat releases for a shorter, cheaper experience.
Kato
9.1
Chef Jonathan (Jon) Yao’s one-star tasting menu spot in ROW DTLA delivers Taiwanese flavors through a modern California lens, with tightly paced courses that lean precise and quietly bold. The room is minimalist-industrial, keeping focus on technique and ingredients, while the bar offers a shorter, cocktail-friendly experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal Taiwanese-inspired tasting menu, Milk bread with brown-butter seaweed, Egg custard with crab and caviar
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 9
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: A Michelin-starred Taiwanese tasting menu that feels personal and contemporary.
Who should go: Tasting-menu seekers and serious food nerds.
When to visit: Weeknights for calmer pacing; weekends for more buzz.
What to order: Dining room tasting menu, milk bread, seasonal seafood course.
Insider tip: Grab bar seats for a shorter menu and standout cocktails.
Kato
8.7
Chef Jon Yao’s Taiwanese-inspired tasting menu in a sleek ROW DTLA space blends precision technique with SGV nostalgia and a strong seafood throughline. Dishes are bold, herb-forward, and carefully paced, with optional pairings that lean adventurous without feeling fussy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish maw with Dungeness crab and caviar, Spice-crusted duck breast with bao, Sea urchin donut
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Contemporary Taiwanese tasting menu with Michelin-level polish.
Who should go: Food-forward couples and celebratory small groups.
When to visit: Early evening for peak pacing and pairings.
What to order: Seasonal tasting menu, wine or zero-proof flight, duck course.
Insider tip: Bar tasting seats can be easier to book than the dining room.
Kato
9.0
Jon Yao’s Taiwanese-Californian tasting menu pairs precise technique with flavors that feel both nostalgic and modern, course after course. The industrial-luxe room keeps focus on the food, while the kitchen’s bold seasoning and texture play make the meal feel alive. It’s an Arts District destination for diners who want a cohesive chef’s vision.
Must-Try Dishes:
Egg custard with crab and caviar, Fish maw with Dungeness crab, Duck with bao and spice crust
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A Taiwanese tasting menu that’s inventive without losing soul.
Who should go: Food nerds seeking a modern tasting menu.
When to visit: Early seating for a slower, more conversational meal.
What to order: Tasting menu, crab egg custard, fish maw course.
Insider tip: Ask about the bar-seat menu if you want a shorter visit.