Kawa brings authentic Japanese cuisine to the North Shore
For nearly a decade, Kawa Japanese Restaurant has quietly become one of the North Shore's most beloved dining destinations, drawing families from across Milwaukee with its commitment to freshness and authentic Japanese flavors. Whether you're introducing your little ones to their first California roll or celebrating a special occasion with an impressive sushi boat, this women-owned gem near Bayshore Mall delivers an experience that keeps North Shore families coming back year after year.
What makes Kawa special begins long before your meal arrives at the table. Owner Selina Zheng, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband Lin Jin Xiao, has built her business on an uncompromising commitment to quality that's evident in every bite. Fresh fish arrives daily in small quantities from certified suppliers, with tuna delivered every single day and other seafood every two days. This approach means the restaurant occasionally runs out of certain items, but it guarantees the exceptional freshness that has earned Kawa its devoted following.
The kitchen sources all organic vegetables from Whole Foods and local suppliers, uses cage-free eggs and chicken, and features Scottish salmon in their teriyaki dishes. Perhaps most impressive for sushi purists, Kawa purchases fresh wasabi and grates it in-house, while all sauces are made from scratch on the premises. The sushi chefs bring more than 20 years of experience to the craft, creating beautifully presented rolls with well-formed sticky rice that reviewers consistently praise.
A decade of growth from humble beginnings
Kawa opened its doors in 2015, transforming a former Eastern European diner and bagel shop into the sleek Japanese restaurant it is today. Selina Zheng, who moved to Milwaukee approximately a decade before opening, had initially considered opening a bar but ultimately chose to pursue her vision of introducing authentic Japanese cuisine to the North Shore community. The restaurant's mission, as Zheng describes it, is "to introduce a culture to Milwaukee so guests can experience more Asian and Japanese food."
The original Whitefish Bay location proved so successful that the business has since expanded to include Kawa Ramen and Sushi on Milwaukee's East Side, a spot in 3rd Street Market Hall downtown, and a presence at American Family Field. In May 2024, the restaurant celebrated its 10-year anniversary with special promotions, and the owners recently announced plans to open Miyaki, a new Japanese restaurant featuring hot pot and curry, on Brady Street in Spring 2026. This steady growth speaks to the quality and consistency that has defined Kawa from the beginning.
The menu offers something for every palate
Kawa's menu spans the full range of Japanese cuisine, making it easy to satisfy everyone at the table regardless of adventurousness or age. The specialty rolls showcase the kitchen's creativity and have become signature items that keep regulars returning. The Incredible Roll, featuring salmon tempura and avocado topped with spicy crabmeat, consistently earns praise as a must-try. The crowd-pleasing Godzilla Roll wraps tempura-fried spicy tuna with avocado, scallions, tobiko, and eel sauce, while the Amazing Roll combines shrimp tempura with spicy lobster salad and a honey-kimchee sauce that reviewers describe as unforgettable.
Specialty rolls range from eleven to sixteen dollars, while standard rolls like California, spicy tuna, and Philadelphia rolls fall between four and nine dollars. For those seeking heartier fare, the teriyaki entrées served with soup, salad, and rice offer excellent value at fifteen to twenty dollars, with options including cage-free chicken, Scottish salmon, beef, shrimp, and organic tofu. The lunch specials represent exceptional value, with two-roll combinations and sushi lunch sets available for around ten dollars.
Beyond sushi, families will find plenty of familiar options including chicken katsu, Japanese fried rice, udon and soba noodle dishes, and an impressive selection of tempura. The cold appetizers showcase the sushi bar's talents with items like yellowtail jalapenos and tuna dumplings, while hot appetizers such as takoyaki, gyoza, and dynamite shrimp make excellent shared starters.
Families feel welcome in Kawa's atmosphere
The interior of Kawa surprises many first-time visitors who might not expect such polish from the restaurant's modest exterior. Black banquettes contrast beautifully against blonde wood paneling, while shiny white tables feature eye-catching inlaid marble patterns. Modern light fixtures with clean lines complement sparkly backsplashes, creating what reviewers describe as "stunning art deco with traditional Japanese touches." The open sushi bar allows diners, including curious children, to watch skilled chefs at work, adding an educational and entertaining element to the meal.
Yelp officially designates Kawa as "Good for kids" and "Good for groups," reflecting the welcoming atmosphere families have discovered here. The moderate noise level strikes a comfortable balance, neither so quiet that children feel conspicuous nor so loud that conversation becomes difficult. Perhaps most importantly for parents of hungry kids, service is consistently described as remarkably fast, with multiple reviewers using words like "insanely quick" to describe how efficiently food arrives at the table.
The kid-friendly options extend well beyond basic chicken teriyaki. Young diners can explore California rolls, which contain no raw fish, or enjoy chicken tempura rolls with sizable pieces of crispy fried chicken. The shrimp fried rice earns specific praise from reviewers as "perfect," while udon noodles with chicken or vegetables offer a mild, slurp-worthy option that appeals to noodle-loving kids. Edamame and gyoza make excellent appetizers for small hands.
Practical details for planning your visit
Kawa is located at 325 W Silver Spring Drive in Glendale, just off Interstate 43 and conveniently situated near Bayshore Mall. While commonly referred to as being in the Whitefish Bay area, the technical address places it in Glendale with the 53217 zip code. The location makes it easy to combine a meal with shopping or activities at Bayshore.
The restaurant operates Monday through Friday from 11:30am to 3pm for lunch and 4pm to 9pm for dinner, with Saturday hours running continuously from 11:30am to 9pm. Kawa is closed on Sundays. Reservations are accepted by phone at (414) 249-5750 or via email at Kawajapanese333@gmail.com, though the restaurant does not use OpenTable for online booking.
Parking options include limited spaces behind the building and ample street parking along Silver Spring Drive. The location is also accessible via MCTS bus lines 14, 15, and the Green Line. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible and maintains an impressive health score of 96 out of 100.
For families who prefer to enjoy Kawa at home, takeout and delivery are both available. Online ordering through TasTap offers restaurant-matched pricing, while third-party services like DoorDash and Grubhub add approximately twenty percent to menu prices plus service fees.
The beverage program
Adults will appreciate Kawa's thoughtful beverage selection, which includes a large variety of quality sake options served hot or cold. The restaurant also offers Japanese beers including Sapporo and Kirin, along with wine selections and creative cocktails. The housemade sangria, made with Japanese sake, mango, and pomegranate juices at eight dollars, offers a unique twist on a familiar favorite. The 9th Century Gimlet combines gin with lemon and green tea-infused simple syrup for seven dollars.
Children have their own special drink options, including Japanese strawberry and lychee Ramune sodas for three dollars, along with Japanese iced green tea, apple juice, and standard soft drinks. During the restaurant's anniversary promotions, families dining in who mention the promo code "Kanpai!" have received free hot sake for adults and free Japanese sodas for children.
Customer reviews confirm Kawa's reputation
Kawa has earned a 4.4 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor, ranking as the number five restaurant out of forty-three in Glendale and earning the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award, which places it in the top ten percent of properties worldwide. Across 227 Yelp reviews, customers consistently praise the freshness of the fish, the beauty of the presentation, and the value for the quality received.
"Fish is off the boat fresh" and "everything was unreal good" represent typical praise, while reviewers frequently highlight the "fantastic presentation" and "beautifully plated sushi." The value proposition resonates strongly with families, with one reviewer noting "the prices are terrific, less than ten dollars for a large delicious lunch of sushi." Local media has taken notice as well, with Milwaukee Magazine calling Kawa "Whitefish Bay's newest and thrillingest restaurant" and OnMilwaukee including it on their list of "52 Restaurants for Your Bucket List."
Conclusion
Kawa Japanese Restaurant represents exactly the kind of family-friendly gem that makes the North Shore such a rewarding place to explore. The combination of genuinely fresh ingredients, skilled preparation, welcoming atmosphere, and reasonable prices creates a dining experience that works equally well for a quick weekday lunch or a celebratory family dinner. For North Shore families seeking to expand their culinary horizons or simply enjoy exceptional sushi without the downtown drive, Kawa has proven itself a worthy destination for a decade and shows no signs of slowing down.
Kawa Japanese Restaurant 325 W Silver Spring Drive, Glendale, WI 53217 (414) 249-5750 kawamke.com Facebook: @Kawa-Japanese-Restaurant
Hours: Monday-Friday 11:30am-3pm, 4pm-9pm; Saturday 11:30am-9pm; Closed Sunday
Save the date for the St. Monica School Fish Fry on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 in Whitefish Bay. Dine-in or carry-out, plus games, raffle, and a bake sale—hosted by 7th grade families.