Japan-based Kura Sushi USA Inc. is opening Friday at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, according to a press release. Marking the brand’s 41st location in the United States and first in the state, the restaurant serves over 140 dishes from a revolving sushi bar that circulates throughout the restaurant.
“Mall of America is a world-renowned destination for locals and travelers alike, and we are confident Kura Revolving Sushi Bar’s unique ‘eater-tainment’ concept will complement the mall’s premium selection of retailers and attractions and become a go-to option for shoppers to refuel,” Lauren Murakami, Kura Sushi public relations and communications manager, said in the press release. “Along with high-quality sushi and other popular Japanese food staples served on a two-layered conveyor belt, we offer a gamified dining experience where guests can receive fun prizes just for eating. Designed to keep guests engaged and excited during each visit, at Kura Revolving Sushi Bar you can always look forward to a very unique and memorable meal, including Kur-B the KuraBot delivering drinks!”
How it works
From their tables, guests use touch panels to place their orders. After preparing them, chefs add the dishes to the express belt — also known as the sushi highway — which delivers them to the proper tables. All U.S. locations also feature the KuraBot, which delivers drink orders.
Kura Sushi’s Bikkura Pon Prize System is another integral part of its interactive and tech-driven “eater-tainment” dining experience. Comprised of a prize machine, touch panel and plate disposal slot located at each table, the touch panel registers the number of plates dispensed into the plate disposal slot. For every five plates inserted, a short animation plays on the touch panel, and for every 15 plates inserted, a prize is dispensed from the prize machine. Since the chain has partnered with the video game, Tetris, prizes included Tetris-branded lanyards, temporary tattoos and can badges.
“We are thrilled to welcome another first-to-market concept at Mall of America with the opening of Kura Revolving Sushi Bar,” Carrie Charleston, VP of Leasing at Mall of America, said in the release. “This interactive dining experience offers exceptional food while using innovative technology with its signature revolving sushi bar. Kura Revolving Sushi Bar is a fantastic addition to Mall of America that we can’t wait for our guests to enjoy.”
