Imagine a historic theater transformed into a culinary destination, bringing a taste of Japan to the heart of Bloomington. That's exactly what's happening at 206 N. Walnut St., where the former Princess Theater has been reborn as Japones (https://www.facebook.com/Japonesbloomington/?utmsource=ig&utmmedium=social&utmcontent=linkin_bio), a new Asian fusion restaurant. Opening its doors daily from 4 p.m., Japones invites diners to explore a menu that blends traditional Japanese flavors with creative twists. But here's where it gets intriguing: unlike typical teppanyaki spots, Japones serves its steak and shrimp habachi directly at your table, skipping the flashy performance cooking. Instead, the focus is on the food itself, like their signature Tuna Tower—a dish so visually stunning it’s almost a shame to eat (but trust us, you’ll want to). And this is the part most people miss: the menu also features Jjamppong, a spicy Korean-inspired noodle soup that adds a bold kick to the dining experience. Open until 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 p.m. on Sundays, Japones is quickly becoming a go-to spot for food lovers. But here’s the controversial part: does forgoing the theatrics of traditional teppanyaki enhance or detract from the dining experience? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’re curious to hear if you’d trade flames and flips for a quieter, more food-focused meal.
