Location of Cute Robot Japanese Kitchen, 704 S. 2nd St. Photo taken June 20, 2024 by Sophie Bolich.

Japanese cuisine is widely known for its meticulous sushi preparation, umami-rich ramen, and ultra-crispy tempura. And while Milwaukee offers many of these traditional dishes, known as washoku, the city has fewer choices when it comes to yoshoku—Japanese comfort food with Western influences.

A new restaurant, Cute Robot Japanese Kitchen, wants to change that.

With an extensive menu of street food, snacks, curries and katsu, as well as an anime-inspired dining room, owner Janet And Marc Boettner have curated a restaurant experience that evokes the warmth and familiarity of home cooking – regardless of cultural background.

Cute Robot, 704 S. 2nd St., welcomed its first customers on Aug. 13, filling the space formerly occupied by The Noble. The previous restaurant, known for its ever-changing menu and industry brunches, closed last summer.

Where The Noble once featured an under-bar bookshelf, vintage photos, and knotted burgundy ruffles, Cute Robot takes a more modern approach.

The Japanese restaurant is decorated with neon signs, framed photos of anime characters and a collage of popular manga titles. Memorabilia, including paper fans, statues and dolls, are gathered on shelves throughout the dining room.

A staircase that runs parallel to a mural of Godzilla in battle mode leads to an upstairs dining room and bar area. The second-floor space includes a handful of tables for two and bar seating, as well as tatami-style dining at low tables with floor cushions.

The restaurant’s decor is a mix of old and new, a mix of traditional style and cultural crossover. The menu is also largely the same.

Cute Robot draws inspiration from Janet’s childhood and focuses on a particular style of Japanese cuisine, Yoshoku, which emphasizes comfort while also incorporating Western influences.

These include dishes such as omelette rice – or omurice – a soft-boiled omelette served over tomato rice. Katsu – crispy breaded meat served with rice and coleslaw – and Japanese-style curries are also important parts of the menu.

The latter is sweet – not spicy – ​​and tends to be richer than its South Asian counterpart.

Shareable appetizers include Japanese street fries drizzled with Kewpie mayonnaise and a pile of bonito flakes, salty edamame, gyoza: karaage, and Nagoya-style chicken wings.

The menu goes even further into fusion with creative burgers like the Godzilla, which consists of two smashed patties with a spicy sprout and arugula mix, tomatoes, spicy cheddar, grilled shiitake mushrooms, wasabi mayonnaise and chilli mayonnaise. A meatless option, the Muthra burger, is dusted with curry powder and dipped in vegan curry sauce.

Soups, salads and various Japanese sandos (sandwiches) are also available.

For drinking, Cute Robot offers a list of imported beers and spirits, as well as Japanese-inspired cocktails and non-alcoholic options including Ramune, Yakult and Calpico.

Janet said she appreciates her guests’ understanding as the restaurant still finds its feet – especially given its initial popularity.

The end of last week, she said, was the restaurant’s busiest day yet.

“We are working very hard to get everything available on the menu this week and thank everyone for their patience,” she said via email. “We also want to thank everyone who supported us during our very quiet opening week!”

Cute Robot is open Tuesday to Thursday from 5pm to 9pm and Friday to Saturday from 5pm to 10pm.

The restaurant offers a lunch menu, which will be offered regularly in the near future.

Photos

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