Friends Sushi & Bento Place: A Kansas City Go-To for Japanese Delights

Friends Sushi & Bento Place Introduce

friends bento

For those in Missouri seeking a reliable and varied Japanese dining experience, Friends Sushi & Bento Place stands as a long-time favorite in Kansas City. Tucked away on the vibrant 39th Street, this local establishment has carved out a niche for itself by offering an extensive menu that caters to a wide array of tastes, from classic sushi enthusiasts to those craving hearty bento boxes and warming Japanese dishes.

Friends Sushi & Bento Place is more than just a sushi spot; it's a versatile eatery that prides itself on consistent service and a broad selection, ensuring that there's always something to satisfy your cravings. While the atmosphere is generally casual and accommodating, the focus remains firmly on delivering flavorful and satisfying Japanese cuisine. Many locals appreciate its convenient location and the friendly staff who contribute to a pleasant dining experience. Whether you're looking for a quick, affordable lunch or a relaxed dinner, Friends Sushi & Bento Place offers a comforting and delicious option right here in Kansas City.

Location and Accessibility

Friends Sushi & Bento Place is conveniently situated at 1808 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111, USA. This address places it directly on West 39th Street, a well-known corridor in Kansas City that is celebrated for its eclectic mix of local restaurants and unique shops. The location is easily accessible for residents across the metro area, especially those in Midtown, Westport, and neighborhoods close to the Kansas University Medical Center, which is less than a block away.

Being part of this lively commercial street means that while parking might require a bit of searching depending on the time of day, there are usually options available in the vicinity. The restaurant's presence in a bustling area ensures good visibility and makes it a straightforward destination for both planned meals and spontaneous dining outings. Its cozy atmosphere fits well with the local charm of the 39th Street district, making it an inviting stop for anyone in the area.

Services Offered

Dine-In Service: Enjoy a casual and cozy dining experience in their restaurant. The seating includes tables in the dining area and a few chairs at the sushi bar, providing a comfortable setting for individuals, couples, and small groups.
Extensive Menu: Friends Sushi & Bento Place offers a vast menu that goes beyond just sushi. It includes a wide range of options such as:
- Sushi and Sashimi: A diverse selection of traditional sushi rolls, specialty rolls (both raw and fried), nigiri, and sashimi with various fish options.
- Bento Boxes: Highly popular for both lunch and dinner, these comprehensive meals include a main protein choice (like Teriyaki Chicken, Salmon, Steak, or even various sushi options), served with soup, salad, a spring roll, a cheese cracker, and steamed white rice.
- Hot Dishes and Entrees: Beyond sushi, the menu features cooked options such as teriyaki entrees, fried rice dishes (like Yang Sho Fried Rice), various noodle soups (including Seafood Udon and Ekko's Noodle Soup with vegetarian options), beef stews, and a selection of appetizers like Gyoza, Shrimp Tempura, and Cheese Crackers.
Takeout and Delivery: For ultimate convenience, Friends Sushi & Bento Place offers robust takeout services. They are also available for delivery through popular third-party platforms such as Grubhub, Seamless, and Uber Eats, allowing you to enjoy their diverse menu from the comfort of your home or office.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options: The menu includes clearly marked vegetarian and some vegan options, making it a welcoming choice for those with plant-based diets. This includes specific vegetarian rolls and noodle soup dishes.

Features / Highlights

Diverse Menu Beyond Sushi: A significant highlight of Friends Sushi & Bento Place is its broad menu that extends well beyond typical sushi offerings. While sushi is a core component, their extensive selection of bento boxes, ramen, noodle soups, and other Japanese entrees means there's truly something for everyone, even those who may not be keen on raw fish.
Exceptional Value with Bento Boxes: The Bento Box specials, available for both lunch and dinner, are consistently praised for their generous portions and excellent value. These comprehensive meals provide a great way to sample different aspects of Japanese cuisine in one satisfying package.
Friendly and Accommodating Staff: Many customers highlight the welcoming and efficient service. The staff is often described as friendly and accommodating, contributing to a positive dining experience whether you're dining in or picking up a takeout order.
Comforting Hot Dishes: Beyond the sushi, the restaurant receives compliments for its warming and flavorful hot dishes, such as the miso soup, fried rice, and various noodle soups, which are perfect for a colder or rainy day.
Consistent Quality Over Time: Friends Sushi & Bento Place has been a part of the Kansas City dining scene since 2005. This longevity is often attributed to their consistent food quality and service, building a loyal customer base over nearly two decades.
Popular Appetizers: Certain appetizers, like their "Cheese Crackers" (similar to crab rangoons) and spring rolls, are frequently mentioned as delicious starters that complement any meal.
Convenient Online Ordering: The availability of online ordering through various platforms makes it incredibly easy and convenient for locals to place their orders for pickup or delivery, streamlining the process.

Promotions or Special Offers

Friends Sushi & Bento Place is well-regarded for its everyday value, particularly through its well-priced and generous Bento Box offerings for both lunch and dinner. These bento boxes are considered a consistent "special" by many regulars due to the substantial amount of food provided at an affordable price. For example, the Teriyaki Chicken Bento often includes soup, salad, a spring roll, a cheese cracker, and steamed white rice alongside the main protein, all for a competitive price.

While specific rotating "happy hour" times with unique discounts beyond their general lunch/dinner bento pricing aren't always explicitly advertised on public-facing menus, the excellent value of their set meals and appetizers ensures that customers always feel they are getting a good deal. It is advisable to check their website or inquire directly with the restaurant for any seasonal promotions or daily specials that might be available to enhance your dining experience.

Contact Information

To enjoy the diverse menu and friendly service at Friends Sushi & Bento Place, you can reach out or visit them at their Kansas City location:

Address: 1808 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111, USA

Phone: (816) 753-6666

For ordering, you can also find them on popular delivery platforms like Grubhub, Seamless, and Uber Eats, or check their official website for direct online ordering options and the full menu.

Conclusion: Why Friends Sushi & Bento Place is Suitable for Locals

For residents of Missouri, especially those in the bustling Kansas City area, Friends Sushi & Bento Place offers a highly suitable and practical dining option. Its prime location on 39th Street makes it a convenient choice for a quick lunch during a busy day, a satisfying dinner after work, or even a casual outing with friends and family. The restaurant’s greatest strength lies in its extensive and varied menu, which ensures that there is truly something for everyone. Whether you're a sushi aficionado, a fan of comforting hot Japanese dishes like tempura and miso soup, or in search of a hearty and affordable bento box, Friends Sushi & Bento Place delivers.

The consistent quality, friendly and accommodating staff, and the long-standing presence in the community contribute to its reputation as a reliable go-to. While some highly specialized sushi experiences might offer nuances in certain raw fish preparations, Friends Sushi & Bento Place excels at providing a broad, accessible, and consistently good array of Japanese cuisine that caters to diverse local tastes and preferences. The value offered, particularly through their popular bento boxes, makes it an attractive choice for those seeking a fulfilling meal without breaking the bank. For a dependable and varied Japanese dining experience right here in Kansas City, Friends Sushi & Bento Place remains a solid and suitable option for locals.

Beverages
Soft Drinks US$1.95
12 oz. can.
Lemonade US$1.95
Sweet Milky Tea US$5.95
24 oz
Mexican Coke (Glass Bottle) US$4.95
The same great taste made with only pure cane sugar and served in a bottle.

Starters
Spring Roll US$3.95
Three fried veggie egg rolls.
Shrimp Tempura App US$9.95
Lightly battered 3 pieces shrimp and 5 piece veggie with a tempura dipping sauce.
Brown Rice US$2.95
Edamame US$6.95
Soy beans.
Beef Short Ribs US$10.95
Marinated pan-fried short ribs.
Cheese Cracker US$4.95
Four wonton skins wrapped with crab and cream cheese and then lightly fried.
White Rice US$2.95
Shrimp Gyoza US$8.95
Six pan-fried shrimp dumplings.
Calamari US$9.95
Tempura fried baby squid with sweet chili sauce and ponzu sauce.
Salmon Cracker US$8.45
Fresh salmon in crispy wonton skin with sweet spicy ginger sauce.
Veggie Tempura App US$8.95
Tempura battered and fried broccoli, asparagus, sweet potato, pepper, mushroom, pumpkin and onion rings.
Shrimp Shu Mai US$6.95
3 steamed shrimp dumplings.
Tuna Tartar US$11.95
Fresh tuna filet seared with spicy ginger sauce.
Veggie Gyoza US$7.45
Six pieces.
Gyoza US$7.45
Pan-fried dumplings.
Hamachi-Kama US$16.95
Grilled yellowtail cheek.
Yakitori-Chicken US$7.45
Three piece skewered chicken.
Agedashi Tofu App US$7.45
Fried crispy tofu.
Baked Mussel US$8.95
Four pieces of green mussel with spicy mayo.

Soups & Salads
Spicy Shrimp Crab Salad US$10.95
Miso Soup US$2.95
Onion Soup US$2.95
Seaweed Salad US$7.45
Asahi Tuna Salad US$11.95
Squid Salad US$8.45
Friends Green Salad US$2.95

Desserts
Mochi Ice Cream US$3.95
Fried Ice Cream US$5.95

Vegetarian Rolls
Agedashi Roll US$7.95
Fried tofu wrapped with soy paper.
Sweet Potato Tempura Roll US$7.55
Avocado Roll US$6.95
Asparagus Tempura Roll US$7.95
Cucumber Avocado Roll US$7.95
Vegetarian Heaven US$14.95
Sweet potato tempura roll and mango cucumber roll topped with avocado.
Veggie Dragon Roll US$9.95
Avocado around radish and tofu skin roll.
Veggie Futomaki US$8.95
Tofu skin, tamago, cucumber, avocado and Japanese pickle.
Veggie Philadelphia Roll US$8.95
Avocado, cream cheese and tofu skin.
Fresh Asparagus Roll US$7.95

Friends Bento
Meat-Free US$14.95
Served with house salad, spring roll, cheese cracker and steamed white rice.
Teriyaki Steak US$15.95
Served with house salad, spring roll, cheese cracker and steamed white rice.
Shrimp Tempura US$14.95
Served with house salad, spring roll, cheese cracker and steamed white rice.
Beef Short Ribs US$15.95
Marinated pan-fried short ribs. Friends Bento. Served with house salad, spring roll, cheese cracker and steamed white rice.
Chicken-Katsu US$14.95
Breaded white meat chicken cutlets. Friends Bento. Served with house salad, spring roll, cheese cracker and steamed white rice.
Unagi Sushi Bento US$15.95
three pc BBQ Eel and three pc California roll. Served with house salad, spring roll, cheese cracker and steamed white rice.
Friends Yakitori US$14.95
Chicken, beef and shrimp kabobs. Served with house salad, spring roll, cheese cracker and steamed white rice.
Teriyaki Chicken US$14.95
Served with house salad, spring roll, cheese cracker and steamed white rice.
Teriyaki Salmon US$14.95
Served with house salad, spring roll, cheese cracker and steamed white rice.
Inari Sushi Bento US$14.95
Three pc tofu skin and three pc California roll. Served with house salad, spring roll, cheese cracker and steamed white rice.
Tonkatsu US$14.95
Fried crispy tender pork chop with Panko. Served with house salad, spring roll, cheese cracker and steamed white rice.
Ebi Sushi Bento US$14.95
Three pc shrimp and three pc spicy tuna roll. Served with house salad, spring roll, cheese cracker and steamed white rice.

Entrees
Shanghai Udon US$16.95
Pan stir fried noodle and vegetable served with friends yakitori.
Yang Sho Fried Rice US$14.95
Light oil egg-fried rice with white meat chicken, shrimp and onion.
Mandarin Shrimp US$16.95
Crispy shrimp sauteed in special citrus tomato onion sauce. Served with a white rice.
Ekko's Noodle Soup US$13.95
Noodle soup with broccoli, tofu, asparagus, bell pepper, mushroom, bean sprouts, and carrots.
Beef Sukiyaki US$15.95
Slow cooked tasty beef stew noodle soup with bok choy, bell pepper and bean sprouts.
Kangba Beef Stew US$15.95
Served with a bowl of white rice.
Golden Sea US$16.95
Mixed seafood including shrimps, mussel, crabmeat, scallops and squid in Japanese sweet curry sauce.
Seafood Udon US$16.95
Combination seafood soup with udon noodles. Including shrimp, mussels, crab meat, scallops, and squid.

Ramen Soup
Special Ramen Soup Combo US$15.95
Tonkatsu-miso based ramen soup with scallions, bamboo shoots, marinated mushrooms, and bean sprouts.
Cha Shu Ramen US$15.95
Bowl of fresh ramen noodle soup with vegetable and Cha Shu Pork.

Maki Rolls and Hand Rolls
Shrimp Tempura Roll US$8.45
Fried shrimp and eel sauce.
Spicy Scallop Roll US$9.95
Crunch Spicy Salmon Roll US$7.95
Philadelphia Roll US$7.95
Smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado.
California Roll US$7.95
Crabstick, cucumber, and avocado with masago.
BBQ Eel Roll US$8.50
Broiled fresh water eel with cucumber and eel sauce.
Yellowtail Scalion Roll US$8.95
Yellowtail and scallions.
Mango Avocado Roll US$7.95
Mango and avocado wrapped in rice and nori.
Spicy Crab Roll US$7.95
Salmon Avocado Roll US$7.95
Salmon and avocado.
Spicy Tuna Roll US$8.95
Classic Tuna Roll US$7.95
Salmon Skin Roll US$7.95
Crispy fried smoked salmon skin with cucumber and eel sauce.
Cucumber Roll US$5.95
Cucumber.

Special Rolls
Volcano Roll US$12.95
Spicy tuna, avocado, cream cheese. Fried.
Rainbow Roll US$15.95
Four different kinds of fish over the California roll with avocado.
Dynamite Roll US$10.95
Three kinds of fish mixed with spicy sauce.
Dragon Roll US$15.95
Mango around eel avocado roll.
Santa Roll US$15.95
Tuna and avocado around mango crab roll.
Oyshii Roll US$12.95
Tempura shrimp, spicy crab, cream cheese, jalapeno and masago with sweet chili sauce.
Chef's Sushi US$30.95
Nine pieces of sushi, California roll and miso soup.
Friend's Roll US$15.95
Salmon and avocado over spicy shrimp crab.
Rock 'N' Roll US$13.95
Avocado, smoked salmon and spicy crab. Fried like tempura.
Pizza Roll US$13.95
Spicy octopus over California roll.
Fish & Green US$12.95
Choice of tuna or yellow tail with cucumber, cilantro and jalapeño.
Holiday Roll US$15.95
Spicy salmon around shrimp tempura roll.
Soft Shell Crab Spider US$12.95
Roll 39th US$15.95
Crab, asparagus, cucumber roll with shrimp, avocado and black tobiko on top.
Sunset Roll US$17.95
Spicy crab over shrimp tempura masago roll with tuna and avocado on top.
Lobster Roll US$15.95
Mango around lobster mix.
Caterpillar Roll US$15.95
Avocado around eel cucumber roll.
Shrimp And Asparagus Roll US$9.95
T.N.T. US$9.95
Spicy California roll.
Depth Charge US$13.95
Smoked salmon, cream cheese, avocado and jalapeno fried like tempura.
FutoMaki US$12.95
Crabmeat, egg, radish, cucumber and avocado.
Y.M.C.A. US$15.95
Yellowtail and avocado on top of crunch masago roll.
Kansas Roll US$15.95
Avocado around crunchy spicy crab.
Vegas Roll US$12.95
Spicy salmon, avocado, cream cheese, jalapeño then fried.
Daikon Roll US$13.95
Tuna, yellowtail, salmon, cucumber, crab and masago wrapped in daikon radish. (Not able to wrap in soy paper).
Tamako Combo US$22.95
Spicy tuna roll, spicy crab roll and crunchy spicy salmon roll.
B.M.W. US$15.95
Eel and avocado around shrimp tempura roll.
Red Dragon US$15.95
Spicy tuna over crab mango roll.
Chef's Sashimi US$37.95
15 pieces sashimi and miso soup.

Friends Sushi & Bento Place Details

Service options
No-contact delivery
Delivery
On-site services
Takeaway
Dine-in

Highlights
Great tea selection

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Offerings
Beer
Happy-hour drinks
Happy-hour food
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating

Amenities
Bar on site
Toilet

Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy

Crowd
Groups
Tourists
University students

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
High chairs

Parking
Free multi-storey car park
Free of charge street parking
Parking

Friends Sushi & Bento Place Photos

Friends Sushi & Bento Place Location

Friends Sushi & Bento Place

Missouri Jackson County Kansas City Midtown - Westport West 39th Street

1808 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111, USA

Friends Sushi & Bento Place Reviews

Not my favorite sushi place. It's honestly hard to pinpoint what was wrong. I was rather bummed when the crab in my roll was surimi, but I don't remember reading that in the description. I just remembered thinking the price of the roll seemed in line with what a real crab meat roll would be. The mango on the roll in the picture was crazy thick. The filling was not that great either. The texture and taste were almost off-putting. The rice of all the rolls seemed severely under seasoned. It tasted like it was taken straight from the cooker.The fried rice and skewers were fine, but still didn't really impress.Taking three kids to a sushi place is expensive and they love sushi. But as you can tell in the photos. We didn't finish the food.
March 23 · geezerfetus
Hadn't been here for a while and was absolutely starving after getting off work. The staff was friendly and accommodating as usual. The food didn't long to be served and decent as always. On a rainy day like today it was great to enjoy some tempura and miso soup to warm me up as it was cold outside, and the sashimi was great.
May 03 · Bernie Katzroy
This is a small venue with huge taste. We decided to stop in here from the smell in the street. I was literally walking to another location for something else and decided to stop in here. We were promptly seated and our server gave great suggestions. There were several varieties of Sake I wish I tried. The only issue with this spot is the location, because parking can be an issue. You may have to park a block away. But if your patient the food is worth it! I had the best onion soup ever!
August 20 · Tiffany Criss
Friends sushi was my very first experience trying sushi and I'm so glad I did because I love it!This is also the place I had my first date with my boyfriend of 7 years. We come here every year and have dinner just like the day we met!We like fried sushi most of the time because it's just sooo good and it's very first time sushi friendly. We ALWAYS get the rock n roll but i was adventurous this time and ordered something with jalapeños which I cannot tolerate! But I wanted the Depth charge and I was so surprised I barely could detect the spice!! I'd order that one again for sure. We went the other day and got the oyshii roll it was just as good!! The short ribs were a bit chewy, but the Flavor was amazing 👏🏾Lovely atmosphere and we always get a cute presentation of sushi!
July 07 · Diamond S
Nice sushi spot on 39th street. Had the tempura shrimp roll which was very good. Also ordered Ekko’s noodle soup and it was huge, fresh vegetables and noodles and tofu. Not as much flavor in the broth as I’d wish, but good. Tried the Fukimaki roll and it was good. Don’t care for the tempura shrimpand veggies. The coating was not light and crispy but more of a breading. The service was attentive and the place has a cool vibe. Will be back for the rolls, good quality and price.
September 07 · Pam Baker