You’re scrolling through Instagram when you come across a video showing off plates of fresh, vibrant sushi rolls.
The rolls are perfectly cut, with stripes of soy sauce drizzled on top, and there's so, so many options. You’re mesmerized by the meal as you watch the video on loop, making a mental note of the restaurant before continuing to scroll.
Soon, another video pops up on your feed, with the same picture-perfect sushi rolls as the previous post.
Then you see another one. And another one. AND another one.
Before you know it, you’re waiting in line at Kintaro, patiently awaiting your chance to taste these Instagram-famous rolls, which Tucson influencers have been highlighting with glowing reviews.
Ben Chen, an owner and chef at Kintaro, prepares sushi rolls for afternoon patrons.
Kintaro, at 5975 E. Speedway, is Tucson’s newest all-you-can-eat sushi, sashimi and hibachi spot, going viral thanks to its fresh flavors and seemingly never-ending plates of spicy tuna rolls.
Thao Huynh, one of Kintaro’s owners, beamed with pride when asked about his restaurant’s popularity.
“I would say, probably about 50% of our customers that walk in here and say, 'I saw you on Tik Tok',” he said.
Kintaro moved into the building that once housed Serial Grillers and Lotus Garden at the end of October. Customers are flocking to the restaurant for one thing: all-you-can-eat sushi.
From Monday to Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., lunch service costs $21.99 per adult, $13.99 for kids ages 7-10 and $8.99 for kids ages 3-6.
Afternoon customers dine-in at Kintaro, 5975 E. Speedway.
Dinner services starts immediately after 3:30 p.m., where adults can eat for $31.99, kids between the ages of 7-10 for $17.99 and kids between the ages of 3-6 for $12.99.
By 10:50 a.m., there’s already a line forming outside of Kintaro, as customers eagerly await plate after plate of Vegas rolls and sashimi.
The menu has everything from the classic California roll to a lobster roll. Huynh loves the sashimi, and said the yellowtail and salmon are his favorites.
Salmon nigiri and yellowtail nigiri at Kintaro, 5975 E. Speedway.
If sushi isn’t your style, they have all kinds of hibachi plates, including steak, chicken and salmon, as well as appetizers such as gyozas and crab puffs for those who want to make the most of the all-you-can-eat fun.
Everything at Kintaro is made to order, something Huynh takes very seriously.
“At other all-you-can-eat places, sometimes the quantity is less and the quality is even less, but ours is a totally different experience,” Huynh said. “We don't like to hold back on our customers.”
Wait times at Kintaro can be a bit long, but that doesn’t seem to deter customers, with some making the trip from Sierra Vista, among other places, to treat themselves to a shrimp tempura roll.
“We have people from Phoenix driving down here just to eat,” Huynh said. “They wait for an hour and a half just to get a seat, then they eat for another hour and a half and then they drive back home."
Seeing families return on a weekly basis, ready to scarf down some sushi rolls, is why Kintaro strives to bring a homey, comfortable feeling to the dining experience.
“I love when customers walk in with a bright smile and say, ‘Hi Thao!’” Huynh said.
When it comes to Kintaro, it seems like the verdict is in: Its sushi is worth waiting for.
