Located near the heart of Downtown Springfield, Kai After Dark offers a unique Japanese dining experience.
Whether you're looking for a romantic fine-dining atmosphere or a cocktail lounge and bar environment; Kai After Dark has you covered.
No matter the occasion or mood, we have the drinks and dishes to satisfy all your Japanese-inspired cravings. Enjoy some of our most popular rolls like the Star Wars Roll, Love Affair Roll, or the OhMyGod Roll just to name a few. Or for a fresher palate try our Premium Blue Fin Tuna and Salmon Nigiri or Sashimi style. Our kitchen also offers a wide variety of cooked entrees such as the premium Filet Mignon or our mouth-watering Chilean Sea Bass with house-made wasabi risotto.
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout
Menu
Kai's menu was last updated 2023-04-22.
Hot Appetizers
EdamameUS$4.00
fresh soybeans boiled and tossed with sea salt and lime
Egg RollUS$4.00
fresh and crispy pork egg rolls
Spring RollUS$4.00
light crispy vegetable spring rolls
Shrimp TempuraUS$7.00
tempura style shrimp and japanese vegetables
Grilled ScallopsUS$11.00
Soups
Miso SoupUS$3.00
miso with wakame, scallions, and tofu
Spicy Seafood SoupUS$6.00
shrimp, mussels, and squid in a spicy chicken stock
Shrimp Asparagus SoupUS$7.00
sake poached shrimp and asparagus in a curry pepper soup
Salad
Kai SaladUS$3.00
ice berg lettuce tossed with cucumber, tomato, and red radishes in a japanese sesame dressing
Spicy Chicken KatsuUS$9.00
katsu style chicken served atop mixed baby greens tossed in a spicy jalapeno dressing finished with a spicy miso sauce
Tri Tuna SaladUS$14.00
white, red, and seared tuna tossed with cucumber, avocado, tomato, and apples, finished with a spicy sesame sauce
Seaweed SaladUS$5.00
seaweed and sesame oil in a crispy wonton basket
Fried Tofu SaladUS$8.00
a fried tofu plank on a bed of spinach with a jalapeno dressing. finished with an agedashi sauce
Combination Sashimi And Sushi
Sashimi AppetizerUS$12.00
chef choice of 6 fresh cuts seasonal fish
Nigiri AppetizerUS$12.00
chefs choice of 6 fresh cuts seasonal fish served atop sushi rice
Sashimi Combination (special)US$32.00
chefs choice of 17 fresh cuts seasonal fish
Nigiri DinnerUS$19.00
chefs choice of 10 different nigiris of seasonal fish
Nigiri & Sashimi ComboUS$23.00
served with 6 nigiri and 6 sashimi cuts
Nigiri
CrabUS$3.50
kani
Sea Urchin
uni
Market Price
Snow CrabUS$5.00
ShrimpUS$3.95
ebi
EelUS$4.50
unagi
Shrimp TempuraUS$3.95
EggUS$3.00
tamago
What 60 people are saying
Kai reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.
Overall ratings and reviews
Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant
4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
4.5Food
4.3Service
4.5Ambience
4.2Value
Noise • Moderate
Loved For
Springfield / Branson
Most Booked
Review summary
AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Kai is a popular spot offering a "friendly, kind, accommodating, and fun" atmosphere with "5-star" food. While service can be slow, staff are attentive, often correcting issues promptly. Standout dishes include sushi rolls and creative drinks. Ideal for date nights and special occasions, Kai leaves most guests "full and happy."
60 Reviews
m
miracle
Unspecified1 review
5.0
Dined on March 2, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
this place was amazing! our server was very patient with our large party and they were quick, the food was amazing, the drinks were 100% i recommend the mango tango! i will definitely be coming back here.
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D
Darren
Orlando2 reviews
2.0
Dined on March 1, 2025
Overall 2
Food 1
Service 1
Ambience 4
This place is owned by Harunos, but does not meet the high standards set by them. We waited over an hour for our appetizers. They came out cold & the avocado sauce was made incorrectly. We waited another forty minutes for our main entrees & the flavor was not good.
Disappointed. Don’t waste your time. Just go to Harunos.
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H
Hilary
Kansas City11 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 28, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
We love Kai! It’s one of our go to places! The entire team at Kai is friendly, kind, accommodating and fun. The food is always 5-star and the atmosphere is great.
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T
Tim
Springfield1 review
5.0
Dined on February 23, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
We started with a cocktail and the Kai Calamari. It was fantastic for two. Then we enjoyed the American Beauty sushi roll and the Lobster Monster roll. Both were excellent choices. We left full and happy on our date night. Thank you, Kai After Dark.
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D
David
Unspecified1 review
3.0
Dined on February 15, 2025
Overall 3
Food 5
Service 2
Ambience 3
We stood out in the freezing rain waiting for them to open. It would have been nice to stand in the dry foyer. While we waited.
We were the second couple through the door. Over an hour to get our food served. While others had their food.
Waitress was polite, and always checked on us.
Food was great. When they messed up my sushi order, the waitress corrected it immediately.
More lighting. Shouldn't have to read the menu with your phone flash light.
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A
Antony
San Francisco7 reviews
3.0
Dined on February 15, 2025
Overall 3
Food 4
Service 5
Ambience 1
Very disappointed that Kai elected to cram as many people as they could in there dining area to capitalize on valentine day. We were in a booth with a small table less than 1 foot away from us, much like the rest of the restaurant. We could hear the entire conversation of the couple next to us. This was far from a romantic dinner environment, but we made the best of it.
The service by our waitstaff was very good. Hostess was a bit short with us. So much for making a reservation more than a month in advance.
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R
Ryan
Richmond1 review
4.0
Dined on February 14, 2025
Overall 4
Food 4
Service 4
Ambience 4
First time at Kai. Enjoyed the ambience, miso soup, jalapeño and yummy roll, and the warm sake. Our waitress was friendly, helpful, and attentive. I would recommend Kai for date night.
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K
Kayla
Springfield1 review
2.0
Dined on February 14, 2025
Overall 2
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Overall the service was great food was great atmosphere was great , the only complaint I have is I made reservations on open table app and I sent a message to let them know I’d be a few minutes late and apparently they didn’t get my message and gave away my table , thankfully we were still seated in the area I was wanting but I did not appreciate my table being taken especially since I did the right thing and reached to you all to let you know I was running a few minutes behind
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H
Hilary
Kansas City11 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 6, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Excellent! Wonderful service, great food, and fun night. Thank you!
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H
Hilary
Kansas City11 reviews
5.0
Dined on January 31, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
We were super impressed with our server Noah. Very friendly and kind. I have severe food allergies. Noah listened to my needs and questions, then reassured me he would check with the chef to confirm my order would be safe for me. Our food came out perfect. It was wonderful. The rest of the restaurant team came by to check on us and make sure we were doing well. Noah was attentive and a wonderful waiter.
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FAQs
Kai offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (417) 832-0077.
Kai is rated 4.3 stars by 60 OpenTable diners.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.
