OMO Ramen and Sushi: a review of the new restaurant on Ward parkway.

As I walked into the recently opened OMO Ramen and Sushi, I was immediately thrown off by the American-style set-up, with large awkward spaces between tables and booths.

OMO Ramen and Sushi at 8430 Ward Pkwy. Kansas City, MO 64114 is dark and quiet with a sushi bar tucked in the back corner. There are countless Japanese lanterns hanging from the ceiling and Norens (norens are traditional Japanese fabric dividers, hung between rooms, on walls, in doorways, or in windows,) hanging in front of the entryway to the bathroom and around the room.

OMO’s chopsticks are different from the traditional wood or bamboo used at other sushi restaurants I’ve tried. I found that the slick plastic material makes it next to impossible to grip onto your food when attempting to pick up sushi. 

The majority of the menu is variations of sushi rolls and sashimi, with the exception of four types of ramen and three other types of noodles. OMO offers a range of rolls from fresh to vegetarian, along with sides like fried rice and a variety of salads like squid salad and a classic house salad. 

I ordered one salmon roll and one Philadelphia roll with a side of fried rice to top it off. To my surprise, my food was served in under ten minutes, a quick turn around for a sushi restaurant.

I began with the fried rice. Beyond lacking basic flavors, the rice had an overly sticky consistency. I couldn’t finish the small portioned fried rice due to the overly salty taste it left in my mouth. 

Next was the salmon roll. The ingredients are simple: salmon and cucumber. The first bite was just as bland as the last. To boost the flavor, I mixed some wasabi into my soy sauce and realized the minimal amount of wasabi that was given. Overall, the salmon roll was anything but satisfying. Aside from the bland taste, the salmon itself was tough like the fat on a ribeye steak. 

Finally it was time for the Philadelphia roll. I was anticipating the flavors of this one more than the salmon roll. Philadelphia rolls are made with smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado. One bite in and I knew this roll was leaps and bounds better than the salmon roll. The only issue I had was the amount of cream cheese, which, at times, overtook the rest of the flavors.

I give OMO a three out of five stars. Don’t expect the best sushi of your life, but it’s a good place to go if you are looking for a quick sushi stop.