Shokai was created as a way to introduce new sushi to Burlington, IA. Shokai started out with a very small clientele. They didn't have very many entrees so people thought there was only raw fish, which, to many, was a turn off or fear. However they started to receive attention because of their menu which had been customized for the new customers. Shokai dedicated half of their menu to cooked food to ease people into the idea of sushi. Shokai started to slowly gather clientele by talking to the locals and getting their name out there.