Shinto Strongsville: Gluten-Free Hibachi & Sushi
Whether you’re a local or visiting the Cleveland area, Shinto Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar offers a unique dining experience for families. With interactive hibachi performances, an exhaustive sushi menu, and gluten-free options, it’s a stop worth making. This gluten-free hibachi in Strongsville is an excellent family-friendly dining adventure.
Shinto’s Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar in Strongsville
- Friday 3:30 PM to 11 PM
- Saturday 2 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday 2 PM to 11 PM
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 3:30 PM to 10 PM
Sensory Concerns at Shinto
Shinto offers various seating options, including bustling hibachi grills, bar tables, a quieter sushi bar, and seasonal outdoor seating. The reduced noise levels in the bar or outdoor seating area is ideal for guests with autism or sensory sensitivities.
The vibrant hibachi space tends to be noisy during peak hours because of the engaging dining experience. Consider dining earlier for a more peaceful atmosphere.
The wait times for hibachi tables can be long without a reservation, especially on weekends, so making a reservation ensures a smoother experience.
Shinto’s Bar in Strongsville
The Shinto menu delivers precisely what you’d expect from a trendy local Japenese steakhouse: sushi, teppanyaki, and some pretty creative cocktails. Most of what we ordered was great, though there were a few misses.
Their sushi menu is a favorite, often with discounts on popular rolls, and the cocktail menu is easily one of the best in the Cleveland area. Whether grabbing a drink at the bar or ordering one with dinner, the cocktails are worth trying.
The bar itself has a different vibe from the rest of the restaurant. Its granite countertops, modern decor, and fluorescent lighting make it feel more polished—perfect for starting your night with a unique drink.
What are the best Shinto Cocktails?
Throughout the evening, we tried several Shinto cocktails. The Samurai signature cocktail (right) is bland and too sweet with raspberry vodka, strawberry liqueur, pomegranate juice, Sprite, and a splash of cranberry juice.
If you are into spice and dirty martinis, the Wicked Wasabi (left) is perfect. The dry and spicy cocktail is an excellent first drink, particularly with the sushi course. The wasabi-stuffed olives flavor the martini itself. Be cautious with this cocktail because it is a potent pour of alcohol.
Wicked Wasabi & Shinto cocktails at Shinto (Strongsville)
One of my favorites is Spice Gurl. However, avoid this if you are heat averse. The further you get into the drink, the more the spice emerges. The jalapeno is muddled with the margarita, creating an exciting and creative cocktail.
Sometimes, I feel basic and want an overpowering sweet drink. If you’ve ever drunk cheap plum wine, this is simply that. The wine is affordable and saccharin sweet.
After all those cocktails, you may wonder about the bathrooms at Shinto. The bathroom features marble walls with ambiance. There is even a tacky little fountain outside, which brings me great joy- because it’s a fountain.
The Sushi Bar at Shinto
If you’re a sushi fan, there is an entire Sushi Bar where you can eat and watch the chefs work their magic. While there, a $10k robot was training how to bring trays to tables from the kitchen (and back).
The Little Delicious is an award-winning sushi roll with crab, spicy tuna, avocado, cucumber, and cream cheese. The roll is flash-fried in tempura batter and served with a sweet and spicy sauce. My dining partner enjoyed it, but unfortunately, it is full of wheat.
Teppanyaki
Sitting around the hibachi grills, you get an incredible dinner show. The grill is contaminated with wheat, so this is not safe for those with Celiac or an allergy. Let your server know about the allergy and the dish is prepared in the kitchen.
Each teppanyaki entree includes a side of veggies, shrimp flambé or mushroom appetizer, a salad with ginger dressing, and soup. The plate comes with a bowl of white rice, but you can get fried rice or noodles for an added cost.
The homemade clear onion soup comes to the table with the salad. This umami Japanese soup comes with scallions on top.
The traditional house ginger dressing salad is my favorite appetizer at hibachi restaurants. It’s the flavor that makes it unique. The salad dressing is fresh and made with carrots, ginger, oil, and vinegar.
We opted for the perfectly cooked shrimp Flambé as our appetizer, which exceeded our expectations. The sautéed mushroom appetizer is an excellent alternative for those who prefer a vegetarian option.
The meal includes mixed veggies, like zucchini, onion, and broccoli. Each hibachi meal also comes with steamed rice. However, you can upgrade to fried rice for an additional surcharge. The fried rice is fun to watch the hibachi chef prepare as they flip eggs midair and fling veggies at the customers around the grill.
Off the Shinto hibachi menu, we chose the Châteaubriand: a nine-ounce center-cut filet mignon with garlic butter. The steaks are prepared to order. You can see the steak below the chef’s hands in the image.
We ordered the Châteaubriand, a center-cut filet mignon, which was flavorful despite being slightly overcooked.
The hibachi chef’s lively cooking style of chopping meat right on the grill adds to the fun but can result in varying cooking temperatures.
Can you get reservations at Shinto Japanese Steakhouse in Strongsville?
You can book reservations for the hibachi grills. For regular seating or the sushi bar, call 440-878-3868. If you’re running late, the restaurant will hold the reservation up to fifteen minutes after your scheduled time. (And they won’t sit your party until everyone is present.)
Are there spaces to host private events at Shinto in Strongsville?
The outside seating directly outside the bar hosts private parties. Faux greenery covers the ceiling and right wall. There is plenty of seating, but it is seasonal. And for those who love those perfect Instagram shots, there are some cute special photo ops.
Is Shinto in Strongsville child-friendly?
The scorching hibachi tops are a big hit with children, featuring tricks like a flaming onion volcano, flying broccoli, or squirting pink lemonade right into their mouths. The chefs are playful and engage diners, making it a fun dining option for families. This family-friendly showmanship is incredibly entertaining for children.
Shinto offers simple options for picky eaters, like chicken and steak hibachi, served with fried rice and veggies. The dessert menu also features treats kids will enjoy.
Can you split an entree at the hibachi grills?
At the hibachi grill, staff can split entrees at their discretion. They will not accommodate shared plates if your party is solo. However, they may split your entree if other parties are seated at your table.
Gluten-Free Hibachi in Strongsville
The gluten-free hibachi Strongsville menu is robust, and the gluten-free menu is a standout ingredient. From flavorful appetizers like pan-seared scallops to sushi rolls and entrees, there is no shortage of options for those avoiding gluten.
Gluten-Free Appetizer
Calamari Teriyaki: Our signature dish: Flash-fried calamari rings in a light batter with our gluten-free sweet & tangy teriyaki glaze
Pan-Seared Scallops: Four scallops pan-seared, caramelized with gluten-free teriyaki glaze, served with slices of lemon for a touch of citrus
Beef Mamanaki (6 pcs.): Grilled strip steak wrapped around fresh asparagus, topped with our gluten-free teriyaki sauce
Beef Negimaki (6 pcs.): Grilled strip steak wrapped around crispy green scallions, topped with gluten-free teriyaki sauce
Edamame: Boiled soybeans with a touch of salt
Gluten-Free Entrees
Lemon Pepper Chicken: Sauteed chicken or strip steak with gluten-free lemon pepper sauce, served with house salad, steamed vegetables, and white rice.
Lemon Pepper Steak: Sauteed chicken or strip steak with gluten-free lemon pepper sauce, served with house salad, steamed vegetables, and white rice
Sweet & Spicy Chicken: Sauteed chicken or strip steak with a sweet & spicy sauce, served with house salad, steamed vegetables, and white rice.
Sweet & Spicy Steak: Sauteed chicken or strip steak with a sweet & spicy sauce, served with house salad, steamed vegetables, and white rice
Veggie Bowl: Sauteed broccoli, mushrooms, zucchini, onions, and carrots with flash-fried tofu topped with sesame seeds and served over steamed rice. Choice of gluten-free teriyaki sauce, gluten-free lemon pepper sauce, or gluten-free sweet & spicy sauce. Served with a choice of house salad, miso soup, or homemade onion soup
Gluten-Free Sushi
Veggie Patch (6 pcs.): Seaweed-wrapped cucumber, avocado, kaiware (daikon radish sprouts), yellow pickle, and asparagus
Slammin Salmon (6 pcs.): Seaweed-wrapped salmon and asparagus topped with spicy salmon
Sweet Shinto Roll (8 pcs.): Seaweed-wrapped maguro tuna, white tuna, salmon, and asparagus topped with avocado and sweet chili sauce
Negihame Roll: Yellowtail, cucumber, avocado, asparagus, and cream cheese wrapped in seaweed served with a side of gluten-free chili oil
Poke Bowl: Steamed rice, avocado, cucumber, and kaiware topped with fresh salmon and tuna, sesame seeds, and gluten-free soy sauce
Final Thoughts on Shinto Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi
Ohio may not be a draw for some- but we call it home. If we can’t travel, we love to explore our hometown of Cleveland. When it comes to Strongsville hibachi, Shinto will check most of your boxes. There are some definite drawbacks, but it is a fun restaurant.
Overall, our review of gluten-free hibachi in Strongsville is generally positive, with some possibilities for improvement.
- Shinto entertains children with its’ animated dinner shows.
- The food is expensive, but with rising food costs- that’s par for the course.
- The service at Shinto is lacking. Bartenders, servers, and host staff ignore or avoid you.
- While it’s a chill place for a date or special occasion, they rush you out the door.
For more family-friendly and gluten-free adventures, see how we conquered Great Wolf Lodge.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for live updates as we travel the country.
