Story by Jessica Pope • Photos by Paul Leavy
In Japan, the name “Masato” is synonymous with Masato Kobayashi, a Chiba born kickboxer and K-1 MAX World Grand Prix champion who may best be known for his methodical offense — great speed, technical precision, unyielding determination and excellent hand skills — and his explosive low kicks. In the Valdosta area, it’s synonymous with mouth-watering and authentic Japanese cuisine.
In September 2007, Shin Khuu and his wife, Thy Khuu, opened Masato Japanese Steak & Seafood at 1337 Baytree Road in Remerton, near Ellianos and the intersection of Baytree Road and West Gordon Street. The husband and wife duo, who previously called the coastal city of Savannah home, decided to relocate to the South Georgia area solely for the purpose of opening the restaurant.
“We did (our) research,” said Shin Khuu, taking a much-needed break from the hot kitchen between lunch and dinner shifts at his restaurant. “My wife and I learned (that the) people (of South Georgia) like to eat Japanese food. We (also) learned (the) other restaurants (in the area) that have Japanese food are very expensive.”
According to its lunch and dinner menus, Masato Japanese Steak & Seafood offers many of the same dishes as the other Japanese restaurants. However, it does not offer any tableside sizzling hot cooking surfaces or sushi. (Shin and Thy Khuu were in the process of adding a sushi bar when this magazine went to press.) Its menu prices are about half that of its competitors.
“We try to offer good food, good prices and good service,” Shin Khuu added. “So far, people seem to really like us. The response from (the community) has been good. We already have some people who (keep coming) back for more.”
Masato Japanese Steak & Seafood lunchers might start their mid-day meal with a seaweed salad or a squid salad appetizer, followed by hibachi ribeye steak, hibachi vegetables, teriyaki chicken, hibachi shrimp, hibachi filet mignon or tuna steak. Budget lunch bowls are always available, as are a selection of combinations, like chicken and shrimp, chicken and steak, shrimp and steak, chicken and yakiniku or shrimp and yakiniku. Entrees are usually served with steamed rice or fried rice, salad, soup and/or vegetables.
Featured dishes on the Masato Japanese Steak & Seafood dinner menu include a soft shell crab and a shrimp tempura appetizer; the opportunity for a guest to create their own combination with hibachi filet mignon, yakiniku, jumbo shrimp, mahi-mahi, hibachi chicken and tuna; several dinner specials for the budget minded; and selected main courses, like hibachi lobster, hibachi scallops and hibachi shrimp. Again, all entrees are usually served with steamed rice or fried rice, vegetables, salad and/or soup.
Masato Japanese Steak & Seafood boasts a host of meal items for kids, ranging from chicken to steak to shrimp. Beverages served at the cozy restaurant include hot green tea, as well as a selection of beer and wine and sake, a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from rice.
Shin Khuu has more than 14 years experience in the restaurant business. Before moving to the area and opening Masato Japanese Steak & Seafood in Remerton, he worked at another Masato’s, the one in Savannah.
