Boka Restaurant Group and Chef Gene Kato officially opened Momotaro Nashville on Friday, June 5, bringing the nationally acclaimed modern Japanese concept to 519 Houston Street in Wedgewood Houston. More Eat & Drink News
Originally launched in Chicago’s Fulton Market District in 2014, Momotaro quickly became one of the country’s standout dining destinations, earning recognition on Esquire’s Best New Restaurants list and landing a spot among the Chicago Tribune’s Top 50 Restaurants. The Nashville opening builds on that foundation while introducing new, city-specific experiences designed exclusively for Music City.
“We’ve wanted to bring restaurants to Nashville for years, but it had to be the right fit,” said Boka Restaurant Group co-founders Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz of Boka Restaurant Group in a release. “Wedgewood Houston has a strong creative energy and a real sense of community—it’s exactly where Momotaro belongs.”
Chef Gene Kato’s Nashville menu keeps the restaurant’s modern Japanese identity at the core while layering in new offerings made for this location. A first for the brand is an expanded temaki hand roll program featuring made-to-order selections like king crab, XO scallop, and unagi, alongside an extensive sushi and sashimi lineup.
Nashville-exclusive dishes include Nashville Hot Chicken Mapo Tofu, a playful local interpretation, along with signature favorites such as scallop motoyaki, yakitori don, uni spaghetti, and Japanese wagyu. The robata grill remains a centerpiece, with items like asparagus seasoned with Japanese sea salt, chicken tsukune, Mishima skirt steak, and lamb chops cooked over open flame.
Seafood will continue to be flown in multiple times a week from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market, complemented by regional sourcing from Radical Shoots and Valley Gold Farms. The Nashville location also introduces a specialized dry-aging program for bluefin tuna and kampachi, designed to deepen flavor and texture.
The beverage program mirrors that same balance of tradition and innovation, featuring cocktails built with Japanese ingredients and modern technique. Highlights include the Shiso Shogun (bourbon, yuzu, strawberry), Snow Cloud (vodka, lychee, St. Germain), and Kappa Martini (Haku vodka and miso vermouth), alongside an expansive sake list, Japanese whisky selection, and global wines.
Designed by award-winning firm AvroKO, the space blends Japanese mid-century modern influences with subtle nods to Americana. The design features rich wood paneling, detailed millwork, and a stock-exchange-style menu board reminiscent of the Chicago flagship, layered with denim and plaid textures, vintage-inspired artwork, and rhythmic wood-and-tile patterns inspired by the Japanese concept of otaku—a deep devotion to craft.
Private dining spaces range from intimate eight-seat rooms to larger gatherings of up to 50 guests, including a private room that converts into a karaoke lounge with a neon “Paripi” sign—Japanese slang for “party people.”
Located within Wedgewood Village, the 18-acre mixed-use development from Nashville-based AJ Capital Partners, Momotaro will be open seven days a week at 4:30 p.m. Reservations are available on OpenTable, and more information can be found at momotaronashville.com.
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