The restaurant scene on Oak Bluffs underwent quite a shake-up in 2023. OB restaurateur Ben Deforest closed down both The Cardboard Box and Oyster Bar 02257. He also closed the tiny Red Cat Kitchen on Kennebac and reopened it on the old Oyster Bar 02257 site.

With the exception of Deforest’s three restaurants, OB’s culinary options have always been a bit monotone, with an abundance of “summer fun food” restaurants like Nancy’s, Coop deVille, or The Lookout. The fact is, these restaurants, and many others like them, offer virtually identical menus.

The Red Cat Kitchen consolidation made a lot of sense. Their eclectic menu brought a refreshing change to OB dining, but Deforest’s three menus were similar. The new, larger RCK essentially serves a consolidated menu of the three previous restaurants.

Mikado’s arrival at the old Cardboard Box site brought a new dimension to the culinary scene of Oak Bluffs.

A Modern Asian Bistro

I discovered Mikado in September of 2023. At first, I thought it was a Sushi Bar, but once I saw the menu, I knew it was far more than that.

Yes, Sushi Chef Tai turns out incredible Sushi, but owner and Chef Kevin (Xi) Yu delivers some of the best Chinese Food I’ve ever tasted.

Each dish arrives as a work of art, classically executed with just the right amount of umami, spice, and sweetness.

We were outwardly excited when we visited the restaurant and met Kevin for the first time. Unaware of the portion size, we overordered. Out of appreciation, I suspect, Kevin brought us an incredible Salmon Appetizer while our food was being prepared.

It was so good that we ordered it again on our second visit. This one was a little different and more scallion-forward.

I don’t think either of these Salmon Appetizers is on the menu, but Kevin was happy to whip up something incredible as a special.

I’m a huge fan of Mongolian Beef and order it every time I visit. In addition to perfect seasoning, Mikado’s stands out for crispy yet tender beef and its high ratio of meat to vegetables.

Finally, the Fried Rice is always light. We tried the Vegetable version Sunday night and enjoyed perfectly steamed broccoli florets.

It’s first come, first served, and they do not take reservations. Once everyone discovers this Asian gem, that will likely change.

If you find yourself in Oak Bluffs looking for something other than a Lobster Roll, Fried Clams, or Chicken Wings, head to 6 Circuit Ave and check out Mikado.