If you’re thinking “another omakase spot,” think again! From the former chef of Teppo, Mābo has entered the chat with a whole new take on the Japanese dining experience, switching seafood for meats, making for one incredibly delicious evening!
Updated March 2024
MĀBO
Located in Preston Center, Mābo is the new yakitori omakase restaurant from Masayuki Otaka, the former chef/owner of Teppo* on Greenville Ave. It features a 14-course tasting experience, with two tastings per night (5:30 & 8:30pm) for eight guests per seating.
YAKITORI-CENTRIC
At Teppo, Otaka was known as the “Yakitori King of Dallas” as pegged by the Dallas Morning News. In Japan, Yakitori (which means grilled chicken) is street food, but Otaka wanted to create an upscale experience using high-quality cuts of meat, and even veggies. So at Mābo, you can expect 8 yakitori tastings ranging from Miyazaki Wagyu A5 to chicken hearts to white asparagus.
THE EXPERIENCE
Each yakitori course is cooked by Otaka right in front of you and served on a skewer. The tasting begins with a chicken liver pate course, soup and a beautifully prepared sashimi platter. After the yakitori, it ends with a hot course - for us, a rice dish of jidori egg yolk, uni, caviar and truffle - plus dessert and tea.
THE SPACE
You’re welcomed into an extremely clean and minimal space, with a beautiful Japanese garden on one side, and the 8-seat bar around the kitchen on the other. Every detail is extremely organized and meticulous, down to the movements of the chef and staff.
RESERVATIONS & COST
Open Tuesday-Saturday, reservations are released every 2 weeks. The tasting is $200 per person, before tip or tax. Wine and sake glasses start at $30+ and bottles, $100+. (You can also opt for warm tea for $8, refilled throughout the night!)
OUR THOUGHTS
Like most omakase restaurants, the experience is not cheap but if you are seeking a special occasion spot or love food, Mābo is truly worth it. Each course was beyond divine, and the meats melted in our mouths. The experience centered in minimalist Japanese design and order was so cool too!
