{"id":3139,"date":"2021-12-22T22:05:48","date_gmt":"2021-12-23T02:05:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/?p=3139"},"modified":"2021-12-22T22:05:48","modified_gmt":"2021-12-23T02:05:48","slug":"12-days-of-christmas-giveaway-day-10-kaito","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/?p=3139","title":{"rendered":"12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Day 10: Kaito"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sushi and sashimi from Kaito, photo credit Tara Fatemi Walker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kaito<\/a><\/strong> is today\u2019s partner for the \u201c12 Days of Christmas Giveaway:\u201d the prize is $60 in gift cards<\/strong>. Keep reading for how to enter.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I fell in love with Kaito at its original Pleasure Point location on 41st<\/sup> Ave. I\u2019m thankful that after closing that location, it has found a new home in the Capitola Mall<\/strong>, with all of the best menu items moving with it! The offerings include ramen, sushi, curry dishes<\/strong>, and drinks including Japanese Ramune bottled sodas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chef\/owner Koji Goto makes 10 different types of ramen<\/strong>. For vegetarians, there is Tofu and Vegetable Ramen<\/strong> with vegetarian broth, steamed veggies and tofu. Chicken lovers tend to enjoy the Ja-Ja Ramen (chicken bone broth with miso paste and other ingredients) or the Spicy Garlic Ramen<\/strong> (that same bone broth with other ingredients plus a slice of BBQ pork). Classic ramen lovers usually get the Tonkotsu Ramen<\/strong>: pork bone broth, corn, seaweed, bamboo, green onion, and a slice of BBQ pork. You can also order a half-size of the Tonkotsu if you\u2019re not as hungry. Visit the website or the restaurant directly to see more options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I always order some appetizers when I get dinner at Kaito. They have really good seaweed salad<\/strong> and Gyoza, among other things. The Gyoza is chicken or vegetable, steamed or deep-fried; my family usually gets steamed chicken Gyoza<\/strong> and it\u2019s gone in a flash. Other appetizers include tuna poke and shrimp dumplings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Onto the sushi and sashimi<\/strong>. Kaito has traditional nigiri choices, plus several roll options. Signature sushi rolls include the Live Oak (salmon, crab, avocado)<\/strong>, the Hook (Unagi, crab, avocado, masago), and Pink Dragon (salmon over California roll). With sashimi, you can order one type of fish (five or eight pieces; I love the ruby-red tuna) or try the Sashimi Sampler with two slices of five different fish<\/strong> (10 total). No matter what you select, you will be impressed by the freshness and the generous portions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re in a rush, Kaito always has several pre-packaged items<\/strong> ready to go; these are made fresh daily<\/strong> and include sushi rolls, seaweed salad, and edamame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last but not least: dessert. They have a few classic Japanese treats like mochi<\/strong> (red bean or green tea) and green tea roll cake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Need a gift for a sushi or ramen lover in your life? Consider a Kaito gift certificate<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regular hours<\/strong>: Tues-Sat 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for lunch, 3-8 p.m. for dinner; Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for lunch, 3-7 p.m. for dinner. Closed Mondays. Deliveries available after 3 p.m. Tues-Sun.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holiday changes to hours: <\/strong>Closed Saturday-Sunday Dec. 25-26 & Jan 1-2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More Info<\/strong>: Kaito<\/strong> Ramen & Sushi<\/strong>, Capitola Mall, 831-464-2586, smilekaito.com, IG @kaitosantacruz<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CONTEST:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One lucky reader will win $60 in<\/strong> gift certificates for Kaito<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To enter, email your name to tara@santacruzfoodie.com by Thursday Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. with the word \u201cKaito\u201d in the subject line. The winner will be notified via email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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