Local Guides World
Best Izakaya restaurants in United States
Top Rated Izakaya restaurants
Top Reviewed Izakaya restaurants
Fuji Mountain Japanese Restaurant
Izakaya Japanese Restaurant
Izakaya Amu
Lucky Cat
Tampopo Ramen
Izakaya Masa
Izakaya Fuku
Mochiron Izakaya
Takumen
Suzume
Kenji Sushi
ZIGU
Reviews
Always have the best time! Great food and atmosphere.
I recently had dinner at Izakaya Masa and found it to be a pleasant experience. The ingredients were fresh, contributing to the overall quality of the dishes. While nothing was particularly spectacular, the food was consistently good. The decor of the place is very cute, adding to the charm and ambiance. The service was also commendable—good and fast, ensuring a smooth dining experience. I would definitely come back for another meal.
Awesome spot for amazing food! Barb was our server and she was so great!
The bok choy salad is amazing and the salmon ramen was WOW!! Highly recommend this spot if you’re in BK and want great food, a fun atmosphere, and great vibes!
The bok choy salad is amazing and the salmon ramen was WOW!! Highly recommend this spot if you’re in BK and want great food, a fun atmosphere, and great vibes!
You need to try the Negi Chasyu if you come here. All the food here is perfect 😊😊😊 The katsudon is the most similar to Japan Ive had
I actually ate here 3x this week. The lunch specials are amazing and the black cod (which I shared with my friend) was maybe the best fish I’ve ever had (and I don’t even like cod!!!) Sweet people - great drinks and amazing food !!! So glad I live nearby
Everything I want in a late night spot. The food was quality and well priced, and the menu has an excellent range of items across noodles, traditional appetizers, sushi, and more. I don’t think I’ve had such an amazing meal this late in a while. The vibe feels good too, lots of people right until close.
Horrible experience honestly.
In my 21 years of life I’ve never walked into somewhere I wasn’t greeted. I walked in and the 3 man looked at me more confused than I’ve ever seen anybody. I give my name being that I placed an order for pick up and was cut off in the middle of my sentence as the guy says “just a moment” and continues to stand around and eat. I arrived 20 minutes after I placed the order and sat there for another almost 20 minutes waiting on my order. When I asked how long will it be they just looked at me in silence. I will not be coming here again although it is a block away from my home I’d rather waste gas and go somewhere else.
In my 21 years of life I’ve never walked into somewhere I wasn’t greeted. I walked in and the 3 man looked at me more confused than I’ve ever seen anybody. I give my name being that I placed an order for pick up and was cut off in the middle of my sentence as the guy says “just a moment” and continues to stand around and eat. I arrived 20 minutes after I placed the order and sat there for another almost 20 minutes waiting on my order. When I asked how long will it be they just looked at me in silence. I will not be coming here again although it is a block away from my home I’d rather waste gas and go somewhere else.
Definitely had the right izakaya vibes with the deco and all. Most importantly the food was great - i especially enjoyed the creamy mentaiko pasta, it was really creamy and tasty with a little spicy kick! The black garlic ramen was great too. The gyutan was nice although I could do with a slightly warmer temperature. Would definitely revisit!
-atmosphere: doesnt feel like a restaurant but more like a store that sells food. From the entrance to the walls to the bathroom, everything you see is for sale. Bathroom dryer is built so it turns on when you wash your hands lol you have to constantly hear it while you wash your hands yet there is no hand towel/paper option. Seats could have cushions but nope.
- food is mid. I had the seaseme miso. It was so oily and only tasted like seaseme. My friend got the chicken ramen and the broth between the two dishes were identical. So I can assume the seaseme is used to mask the same broth taste. Thus, you get seaseme soup for 21bucks lol Seaseme gets stuck between teeth. Awkward date idea Egg for $1 is literally a hard boiled egg btw 😂
- service: tip option is 20% 22% or 24% LMFAOOO my waiter stood next to me and watched me put in my custom tip option in.
- food is mid. I had the seaseme miso. It was so oily and only tasted like seaseme. My friend got the chicken ramen and the broth between the two dishes were identical. So I can assume the seaseme is used to mask the same broth taste. Thus, you get seaseme soup for 21bucks lol Seaseme gets stuck between teeth. Awkward date idea Egg for $1 is literally a hard boiled egg btw 😂
- service: tip option is 20% 22% or 24% LMFAOOO my waiter stood next to me and watched me put in my custom tip option in.
This place is amazing! Their food is so good and I love the ambiance and decor.
The service was good, definitely got busy after 6pm on a Tuesday evening so keep that in mind.
They have a wide variety of fun drinks, including mocktails!
I got the vegetarian broth-free noodles and omg they were so good. It has the fried tofu with perfect seasonings, probably the best tofu I've ever had. And the noodles were the perfect texture and flavor.
The service was good, definitely got busy after 6pm on a Tuesday evening so keep that in mind.
They have a wide variety of fun drinks, including mocktails!
I got the vegetarian broth-free noodles and omg they were so good. It has the fried tofu with perfect seasonings, probably the best tofu I've ever had. And the noodles were the perfect texture and flavor.
Had a great gathering with friends. We ordered kitsune udon, takoyaki, curry katsu rice, curry katsu ramen, veggie gyoza, sesame salad. Everything was delicious at a versus reasonable price. (Around $35 per person)
The service was accurate and friendly. We will definitely come back.
The service was accurate and friendly. We will definitely come back.
Came here for QT with friends and eat up some delicious food. Came to the right spot! Great array of food, from fish to meat to ramen dishes. The sashimi was to die for & the branzino had so much fresh flavors. Don’t sleep on the cocktails. Special shout out to Luke and Lauren. Welcome vibes.
one of my favorite places ever to eat at <3 anyone i bring here also loves it. the food is consistently delicious! top faves are the mix sashimi salad, tako wasabi, & the creamy mentai bacon udon with a side of the boiled eggs.
I like that dishes are pretty consistent, and there's a good amount of menu variety. Recommend the carbonara udon (not pictured), really nice chew! Enjoyed the sashimi as well, real wasabi btw! Servers are super friendly and service is so fast it's crazy. Great vibes and music is always awesome. Cash only! Thank you for the meal.
We walked past Lucky Cat thinking it's closed but had to look closer to make sure it's opened.
The interior quite whimsical and welcoming. There was 1 big group and 2 other smaller party.. we were seated right away and we ordered a couple appertizers and the yuzu chicken ramen.
The gyoza, spicy marinate cucumber and ramen were all solid. The fried soft tofu with dashi soup need a little more work. The batter needs to be thinner and more that transparent texture than dough-like.
So I just picked on the tofu.
Overall, it was an enjoyable meal (except the tofu dish) Service was efficient and pleasant.
The interior quite whimsical and welcoming. There was 1 big group and 2 other smaller party.. we were seated right away and we ordered a couple appertizers and the yuzu chicken ramen.
The gyoza, spicy marinate cucumber and ramen were all solid. The fried soft tofu with dashi soup need a little more work. The batter needs to be thinner and more that transparent texture than dough-like.
So I just picked on the tofu.
Overall, it was an enjoyable meal (except the tofu dish) Service was efficient and pleasant.
We had a wonderful date night dinner at Izakaya Fuku. The decor is over-the-top retro and the classic rock was a surprisingly good fit. The beer was so fresh and went perfectly with the meal.
We shared the Tako Wasabi, Idago, Shio Saba Yaki, Creamy Mentai Bacon Pasta, and Ika Teriyaki. Everything was cooked perfectly and was so flavorful. The dishes came out in the right order, from smaller & lighter to larger & heavier. Service was fantastic - all of our servers were so attentive and kept checking in on us.
We're happy to make the trek (and bring cash) for fantastic & authentic Japanese izakaya.
We shared the Tako Wasabi, Idago, Shio Saba Yaki, Creamy Mentai Bacon Pasta, and Ika Teriyaki. Everything was cooked perfectly and was so flavorful. The dishes came out in the right order, from smaller & lighter to larger & heavier. Service was fantastic - all of our servers were so attentive and kept checking in on us.
We're happy to make the trek (and bring cash) for fantastic & authentic Japanese izakaya.
Oishii ~ ~ !!
Cant missed out DST crudo and burrata cheese with ume jam. Such satisfaction chewing down a big tasty cut of tuna instead of a thin carpaccio slice normally served by restaurant. The burrata cheese and ume jam was smooth and creamy. And never had edamame served like Takumen with shiso pesto, salt and kombu, got me licking my fingers.
Ramen broth for both Ban ban chicken and Super cilantro was flavourful. Only wished I have the option to choose between pork belly slice instead just chicken meat for my ramen.
Cant missed out DST crudo and burrata cheese with ume jam. Such satisfaction chewing down a big tasty cut of tuna instead of a thin carpaccio slice normally served by restaurant. The burrata cheese and ume jam was smooth and creamy. And never had edamame served like Takumen with shiso pesto, salt and kombu, got me licking my fingers.
Ramen broth for both Ban ban chicken and Super cilantro was flavourful. Only wished I have the option to choose between pork belly slice instead just chicken meat for my ramen.
We recently went here for karaoke for my husband's 40th. We had a blast. The staff was kind and the music selection was pretty good. We didn't have much food, just drinks.
I had the cucumber roll , a California roll , and a small fried rice.
Everything was absolutely delicious!
The few times I've gone I normally do the hibachi side however sharing a table with strangers usually gets a little weird.
My last experience was Dec 2023, for my wife's birthday not sure if because we are an LGBT couple.
But the other people we were set with, just felt the need to stare the entire time and move down in their chair.
so I really don't like dinning in anymore , I prefer to just do their take out unless I have a large group of just all my people
I love the decor, the dim lighting, upon entrance & the customer service .
Everything was absolutely delicious!
The few times I've gone I normally do the hibachi side however sharing a table with strangers usually gets a little weird.
My last experience was Dec 2023, for my wife's birthday not sure if because we are an LGBT couple.
But the other people we were set with, just felt the need to stare the entire time and move down in their chair.
so I really don't like dinning in anymore , I prefer to just do their take out unless I have a large group of just all my people
I love the decor, the dim lighting, upon entrance & the customer service .
Yes an 5 Star.. there are time when it happens..
May 1.2024 . First I'm in Hawaii where is warmest,so sitting out door with an canopy is cooler..for most.
We're greeted by the host and brought to our table.im sorry I didn't remember her name. Our waiter was Jakob. Today being Wednesday they have discounts on bottles 20% off...they happen to carry my favorite 23 ..$$$ . I see it I want it...hard to find prime sake...the sashimi was so fresh an tasty. Natto bowl was delicious 😋 local shrimp for the tempura. yummy .. tofu
With soy sauce from the island a must try.. foodie I have set the table!
had an great time.. make an reservation..if you don't want to wait
May 1.2024 . First I'm in Hawaii where is warmest,so sitting out door with an canopy is cooler..for most.
We're greeted by the host and brought to our table.im sorry I didn't remember her name. Our waiter was Jakob. Today being Wednesday they have discounts on bottles 20% off...they happen to carry my favorite 23 ..$$$ . I see it I want it...hard to find prime sake...the sashimi was so fresh an tasty. Natto bowl was delicious 😋 local shrimp for the tempura. yummy .. tofu
With soy sauce from the island a must try.. foodie I have set the table!
had an great time.. make an reservation..if you don't want to wait
This cozy spot has had the same adorable and very Hard-working Owner for MANY, MANY years!! Every time I come to Kenji Sushi i have been greeted by the owner. Soft Shell Crab is Highly Recommend!
I love this place. Every time we come to Waikiki from New York we make our punctual stop at Zigu, David has always been our server (by coincidence) and he has always made our experience memorable and joyful, he definitely made my birthday dinner special!
First visit. Warm interior, simple and pleasant. The charming waiter was great at upselling us so we had a pricey meal. Staff is friendly and kind. We tried 2 sakes and ordered a 300ml (small) bottle of one for $35. The edamame were marinated with shiso, tasty. The burrata is something you wouldn’t expect to find in a Japanese restaurant but with the ume jam it worked and was yummy. We added the DST tuna ($24!) as an appetizer and it was tasty, just wish it was cut into bite size pieces before serving. My ban ban chicken ramen was very flavorful and perfectly cooked. The cilantro ramen was also very tasty. Overall a successful dinner. I would just say that the prices are on the high side for what you’d expect in LIC. There’s also a small shop out front with a selection of cool things.
David is really great and made some awesome suggestions. Had one of the best foods at Hawai last night. Everything at the place was from farm to table. I’m not kidding, you could feel the freshness of the main ingredients while eating😊. Had the most delicate miso salmon and baked yellow fish collar. I 100% recommend the place.
Mid range Ramen and sushi.
Very good service.
Quick service, it tool a few minutes to get our ramen.
The sushi was Ok-Ish.
Edamame was smaller than expected.
Gyoza were very good and just as expected.
Free water.
Small tables.
Will be back for the ramen for sure.
Will try the sashimi next time and update.
Very good service.
Quick service, it tool a few minutes to get our ramen.
The sushi was Ok-Ish.
Edamame was smaller than expected.
Gyoza were very good and just as expected.
Free water.
Small tables.
Will be back for the ramen for sure.
Will try the sashimi next time and update.
None of the dishes "wow" me. I appreciate that izakaya place had a good variety dishes. A lot of izakaya places tend to be fried food or carb heavy noodles and some are more skewer oriented.
There is better ramen out there but this was ok. Broth could be more rich. The pork does not melt in mouth.
Karage taste like store brought ones. It was typical ( dark meat) and crunchy.
I would not get the tuna hand roll or tea again.
There is better ramen out there but this was ok. Broth could be more rich. The pork does not melt in mouth.
Karage taste like store brought ones. It was typical ( dark meat) and crunchy.
I would not get the tuna hand roll or tea again.
First time dining here and it was a letdown. The food lacked flavor and freshness, and the restaurant's poor ventilation left my clothes smelling unpleasant. Overall, I wouldn't recommend dining here until improvements are made.
Zigu
Overall: **** Recommended ****
Food: ****
Value: *** Waikiki prices
Menu: ** limited choices
Ambiance: ***
Service: ****
Parking: *** validated at Hyatt Centric Waikiki
While searching for Japanese bars, Zigu came up with a Yelp review of 4.3, so I decided to gave it a try.
Zigu is located just off Kuhio Avenue and occupies a decent size indoor/outdoor space. The dishes we had were good, but the menu is limited.
if you’re looking for a bar with Japanese food, Zigu would be fine. If you’re looking for a Japanese restaurant in Waikiki, I would go to Restaurant Suntory.
RATINGS & RECOMMENDED ORDER:
Beef Nigiri Washu-gyu = A
Lobster tempura= A
Agedashi Aloha tofu = B
Hawaiian Ahi cutlet = C
Rainbow roll = C
Yelp: https://yelp.to/bhPrXOjRwk
Website: https://www.zigu.us/
INSTAGRAM: MiltonIn808
If you would like to see more restaurant reviews, ratings of each dish, my recommended order, and the complete video, follow me.
GOOGLE: MiltonIn808
For all the pictures of the menu and other restaurant reviews:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/G3zLd37vu1VWnhba9?g_st=ic
RATINGS KEY:
A = Really Good - one of the best
B = Good - would order again
C = ok - similar, nothing special
D = Not very good - wouldn’t order
F = Terrible - avoid
Overall: **** Recommended ****
Food: ****
Value: *** Waikiki prices
Menu: ** limited choices
Ambiance: ***
Service: ****
Parking: *** validated at Hyatt Centric Waikiki
While searching for Japanese bars, Zigu came up with a Yelp review of 4.3, so I decided to gave it a try.
Zigu is located just off Kuhio Avenue and occupies a decent size indoor/outdoor space. The dishes we had were good, but the menu is limited.
if you’re looking for a bar with Japanese food, Zigu would be fine. If you’re looking for a Japanese restaurant in Waikiki, I would go to Restaurant Suntory.
RATINGS & RECOMMENDED ORDER:
Beef Nigiri Washu-gyu = A
Lobster tempura= A
Agedashi Aloha tofu = B
Hawaiian Ahi cutlet = C
Rainbow roll = C
Yelp: https://yelp.to/bhPrXOjRwk
Website: https://www.zigu.us/
INSTAGRAM: MiltonIn808
If you would like to see more restaurant reviews, ratings of each dish, my recommended order, and the complete video, follow me.
GOOGLE: MiltonIn808
For all the pictures of the menu and other restaurant reviews:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/G3zLd37vu1VWnhba9?g_st=ic
RATINGS KEY:
A = Really Good - one of the best
B = Good - would order again
C = ok - similar, nothing special
D = Not very good - wouldn’t order
F = Terrible - avoid
OMG loved this little place. The food was amazing! Service was lovely. And the best thing… they have animes playing on TV + you can request what you want.
Our server was amazing enough to put on ‘Your Name’ as soon as I asked 🥰 Thank You 😻
Our server was amazing enough to put on ‘Your Name’ as soon as I asked 🥰 Thank You 😻
The Shoyu Ramen with added Nori seaweed hit the spot and was perfect. The mixture of the soy sauce and chicken broth was delicious. The chicken version was charbroiled and added to the layers of flavor. It also comes with pork, if desired. The kikurage mushrooms are also very good. I would highly recommend this dish and literally ate every last drop!
The atmosphere is great, however the food is mediocre. I came for the cilantro ramen but found it to be too bland. The spicy miso ramen is a bit better. The sides are so expensive for their serving size. For reference, the avocado salad and potato salad are $7.5 each and a tiny dish of cilantro is $3.5, which I find rather unreasonable.
Nice and quiet atmosphere where you can have a conversation without needing to raise your voice over the ambient noise. I arrived at 12pm and was seated right away. Ordered the Ban Ban Chicken Ramen with a soba tea (soba or ice green tea is available for $1 when you order a rice or ramen). Food arrived in less than 10 minutes. $20 for a bowl of ramen is quite pricey considering that this is a Japanese-American fusion spot. But, it’s tasty for a quick fix lunch if you’re in the area. Not much selection for lunch specials if you’re looking for more bang for your buck.
This izakaya is simply awesome and would recommend to everyone!! If you like asian food then definitely it's gonna be a perfect spot!! We had taco wasabi, mackerel rolls, mentaiko pasta, grilled octopus, beef tongue, and okonomi-udon? I forgot the exact name.. but anyways that okonomi udon was the best. Also taco wasabi was so fresh!! Personally i like to eat in a bland way so every dish was a bit salty, but like i said, it's only because i just dont like super strong flavors. Except for that, everything was perfect!!!! I don't really hang out upper east area, that's the only downside. But definitely would visit this place again
The taste of the skewers is average. The atmosphere is nice and the cocktails are very delicious.
We were happy to find a ramen place that opened late and offer great ramen! Lots of seating available and a large menu so there’s something for anyone.
Go spicy!! Ramen was delicious, veggie gyoza and pork gyoza where both very very good. Will definitely be coming back for some gyoza.
We love this restaurant ! Food is amazing. Service is great. Came here for 3 nights during our trip. I loved what I had, it left me craving for sashimi still.
Izakaya Fuku delivers excellence in every aspect. The menu offers diverse, expertly crafted dishes, showcasing fresh ingredients and culinary mastery. Service is attentive and knowledgeable, enhancing the dining experience. The inviting ambiance sets the stage for a memorable meal, whether for a special occasion or casual dining. Highly recommended for an outstanding culinary journey.
Really great spot!
Perfect for lunch and the vibe is just right.
Food is on point and I’m happy with my choice, you would be too!
Perfect for lunch and the vibe is just right.
Food is on point and I’m happy with my choice, you would be too!
As a walk-in for one person and got a table right away. I mostly a solo travel and always do everything by myself especially going out to eat. I wish I could have tried the rest of the menu cause they look yum. What I got was very good and I bet you can pick anything without disappointment. The staff were very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about their menu. Bravo!
Great neighbourhood spot. Delicious ramen. Incredibly delicious (and surprising) appetisers. Wanna come back often.
Ordered takeout and was really surprised at how good it was. My only complaint is that they served the rolls in the same container which was not safe for me as someone with a shellfish allergy. But would def recommend the unagi and inferno roll.
Variety menu. Enjoyable during diet.
All staff are very friendly. Will come back to try nabe and mentaiko pasta!!
All staff are very friendly. Will come back to try nabe and mentaiko pasta!!
Ordered shrimp tempura appetizer, a couple pieces of sushi, a dynamite roll, and a Sapporo to wash it down. Food was fantastic. Service was prompt and pleasant. I would definitely come back again.
This was our first time coming here for lunch. I enjoyed my salmon sizzle plate. It came with a bowl of white rice and I shared it with the table. The portion size for the sushi was large. I recommend splitting 3 rolls with 2-4 ppl. We had some leftover. The deep fried roll wasn’t tasty to me. The vegetable egg rolls were fresh and good. The spicy California was good though. The batter seems too light on their fried items. For it to be lunch time we were there over 2 hrs and it wasn’t busy, some people left. It was clean. We paid $62 no cocktails were offered. Next time we’ll stick to dinner and do the hibachi grill.
Went here for lunch and it was decent until I noticed the dramtic difference in service compared to my caucasian counterpart. I was there before him so I was able to see how he was greeted, served (fast!), checked on, smiled excessively at, even her tone of voice was different while speaking to him in vibrant English. I thought that was pretty interesting. Not once did the same server check on me, talked like she barely knew English, and damn near acted like I was invisible. On top of that she brought me noticably discolored, dried out sushi that was nowhere near fresh. I attempted a small bite and it was hard as rubber. Nonetheless, the presentation was nice and she did remove it from my tab wihout giving me a hard time so that was good. As I left I was not thanked or acknowledged for my service. I personally consider this to be rude when standing face-to-face with a person after spending my hard earned money in their establishment. Me and the other guy were the only two customers there so the issue was pretty self-explanatory. I doubt I'll ever go back.
Excellent service. Attention to detail in all of the dishes is next level. Ordered the Hawaiian poke bowl, which I really enjoyed. Great to eat at an establishment where every staff member really seems to care about your dining experience.
My husband and I had date night our first time ever there it was a great experience. We didn’t do the Hibachi experience but could still order from the menu it was awesome food was very good and tasty, customer service was great and atmosphere very inviting. We tried the Sake (hot) and I had tried a Saketini whoo too strong for me would recommend this place to anyone!!!
The bao buns were incredible. The Miso Ramen was amazingly good too.
Finally got the chance to visit Izakaya Fuku and was very pleased with everything we ordered.
The food was good, the service was amazing, and the atmosphere made me feel like I was back on Japan. Will definitely be back in the future to try a few more things.
The food was good, the service was amazing, and the atmosphere made me feel like I was back on Japan. Will definitely be back in the future to try a few more things.
Let me begin by using the words of my 14 year old: this place is exceptional and the staff is incredibly talented. The produce used is of the best quality possible, fresh and handled with care in its preparation. The staff's knowledge of the menu and their recommendations; specially taking into consideration our lack of understanding of this cuisine, made the experience memorable and our enjoyment even more amazing. Garrett our server is hands down one of the best servers we have ever had in our dining experiences across the world. David made the moment of celebration of our 14 year old's birthday a great event with a spectacular video (and ensured consent was provided) and even the restaurant joined. If you don't know anything about Japanese sushi this is your spot, if it is, then again; this is your spot! Thank you for the amazing experience
We had a perfect family dinner here with a party of 6 thanks to our server David. The food was fresh, cooked/seasoned perfectly. The vibe in the terrace was chill and relax. And David’s service added even more to our experience. He offered great recommendations and warm and friendly service. Will definitely recommend to others as well as coming back for another perfect dinner in Waikiki.
Title: Authentic Japanese Fare with a Cozy Vibe
Mochiron Izakaya offers a delightful journey into Japanese cuisine, with a menu that showcases traditional flavors and contemporary twists. During my recent visit, I indulged in their Chicken Katsu and Takoyaki, and the experience was nothing short of fantastic.
The Chicken Katsu was impeccably cooked, boasting a crispy exterior that gave way to tender, juicy meat inside. The accompanying tonkatsu sauce added a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, elevating the dish to new heights.
As for the Takoyaki, each bite was a burst of savory goodness. The octopus-filled spheres were expertly crafted, with a creamy interior and a crisp, golden-brown exterior. Drizzled with a savory sauce and topped with bonito flakes, they were a true delight for the taste buds.
Beyond the food, the ambiance of Mochiron Izakaya was cozy and inviting, with traditional Japanese decor creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The service was attentive, adding to the overall pleasant dining experience.
In conclusion, Mochiron Izakaya is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Japanese cuisine in a charming setting. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a newcomer to Japanese fare, this restaurant promises a memorable dining experience that will leave you craving for more.
Mochiron Izakaya offers a delightful journey into Japanese cuisine, with a menu that showcases traditional flavors and contemporary twists. During my recent visit, I indulged in their Chicken Katsu and Takoyaki, and the experience was nothing short of fantastic.
The Chicken Katsu was impeccably cooked, boasting a crispy exterior that gave way to tender, juicy meat inside. The accompanying tonkatsu sauce added a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, elevating the dish to new heights.
As for the Takoyaki, each bite was a burst of savory goodness. The octopus-filled spheres were expertly crafted, with a creamy interior and a crisp, golden-brown exterior. Drizzled with a savory sauce and topped with bonito flakes, they were a true delight for the taste buds.
Beyond the food, the ambiance of Mochiron Izakaya was cozy and inviting, with traditional Japanese decor creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The service was attentive, adding to the overall pleasant dining experience.
In conclusion, Mochiron Izakaya is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Japanese cuisine in a charming setting. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a newcomer to Japanese fare, this restaurant promises a memorable dining experience that will leave you craving for more.
I didn’t know anything about the place going in, so I had an average 3 star expectation. I left with a 5+ star experience. We really connected with our bartender and had some A+ food and drinks. Really a delightful experience. Will be going back.
The place is small and situated inside a business area. Despite it's hiddeness, it's a very popular spot.
We arrived at 830pm on a Saturday night and had about an hours wait.
Once in, you get to see why the long wait. The place is small but they make do by being space savvy. I saw one booth for large parties and many small seating and bar seating.
The place's decor is cute. Some of it looks hand drawn!
The food was good. Not the best or really worth the wait but it was good and reasonably priced.
We ordered 2 specialty rolls, 2 different Ramens and a Katsu Curry all for $75.
The Shoyu Ramen broth has a rich fatty taste, it was nicely garnished with green onions and seaweed and Naruto. I didn't exactly enjoy the texture of the noodles, felt a little hard maybe under cooked or maybe it was the brand they used.
The Hakatu Ramen has a nicer creamy taste to it, with heavily marinated mushrooms. I'd recommend that one.
The curry was not exciting, but actually bland in taste.
My favorite was the Rainbow roll. It tasted very fresh and sweet! The Sandiego Dream was alright.
Despite the averageness of most of the food, the standout was the staff. They were very quick and attentive. Withing 2 minutes if our ordering they already started bring out out our Rolls, then the Katsu then the Ramens.
The staff and the cooks really have speed nailed down especially during dinner peak hours!
We arrived at 830pm on a Saturday night and had about an hours wait.
Once in, you get to see why the long wait. The place is small but they make do by being space savvy. I saw one booth for large parties and many small seating and bar seating.
The place's decor is cute. Some of it looks hand drawn!
The food was good. Not the best or really worth the wait but it was good and reasonably priced.
We ordered 2 specialty rolls, 2 different Ramens and a Katsu Curry all for $75.
The Shoyu Ramen broth has a rich fatty taste, it was nicely garnished with green onions and seaweed and Naruto. I didn't exactly enjoy the texture of the noodles, felt a little hard maybe under cooked or maybe it was the brand they used.
The Hakatu Ramen has a nicer creamy taste to it, with heavily marinated mushrooms. I'd recommend that one.
The curry was not exciting, but actually bland in taste.
My favorite was the Rainbow roll. It tasted very fresh and sweet! The Sandiego Dream was alright.
Despite the averageness of most of the food, the standout was the staff. They were very quick and attentive. Withing 2 minutes if our ordering they already started bring out out our Rolls, then the Katsu then the Ramens.
The staff and the cooks really have speed nailed down especially during dinner peak hours!
Great, small neighborhood restaurant! Food is reliably great. Ramen is some of the best we’ve had in the city. Everything else has been delicious too.
All the servers we’ve had have been very nice and helpful. We especially love Lauren:)
If you want to go on a known busier dinner night, you should plan for a reservation ahead of time - would definitely recommend going and giving them your business on a typically more slow day or time of day, and you’ll get a table easy!
All the servers we’ve had have been very nice and helpful. We especially love Lauren:)
If you want to go on a known busier dinner night, you should plan for a reservation ahead of time - would definitely recommend going and giving them your business on a typically more slow day or time of day, and you’ll get a table easy!
I have to be honest this ramen is very mediocre. There aren’t many places in wahi to compare to but compared to what you get downtown this ramen is nothing to write home about. I had the spicy miso and it wasn’t spicy at all, egg was overcooked and char siu was not high quality and felt lacking. Overall the broth could use more flavor as well, was not very hot, and did not taste authentic. Service was slow but it was new years so they should get a break for that. Nothing was bad per say, just disappointed based on the reviews I expected more. If you have a ramen kick in the area I guess its a good spot to go since there aren’t options but would not go out of my way to come here.
Dark atmosphere. Food was above average. The Katsu Curry was filling and flavorful. My friends got the spicy ramen and original, it’s a favorite for two of them. One of them said it was alright.
Ambiance (5/5): The setting reminds me of the izakaya scene of Japan with the themed decorations and dining area that overlooks the kitchen. There's bar side seating along the kitchen and also a back area with addition seating. The bathroom is also decorated with anime cartoon posters everywhere! I liked how this venue was not loud or too dark.
Service (5/5): We came in around 8:30pm on a Sunday and seated immediately. There seems to be authenticity from the Japanese-speaking staff. They attended to us often and were very nice.
Food (3/5):
Lychee Hi-ball (5/5): Hardly could taste any liquor in the very forward lychee flavoring (which I loved!)
Charsu Bun (3/5): The bun bread was extremely soft and warm. The chars pork was not the most tender but the sauce complemented it well. There's nice variation to the bite from the lettuce and cucumber.
Kaki Fries (3/5): The inside of the breading was a moist oyster. I wish the breading had a little more flavor. It came out nice and hot that provided a nice crunch.
Yakiniku Don (4/5): The beef slices were nicely marinated but not the most tender pieces. The veggies included were carrots, cbbage, onions, and pickled ginger. It tasted great on the bed of rice that soaked up all the sauce. I would have enjoyed it with more sauce.
Beef Don (2/5): There was no sauce at all which result in any flavor to the dish. The beef was dry. The egg in the middle should have been prepared runny to allow the yolk to serve as a sauce/provide moisture to the dish.
Service (5/5): We came in around 8:30pm on a Sunday and seated immediately. There seems to be authenticity from the Japanese-speaking staff. They attended to us often and were very nice.
Food (3/5):
Lychee Hi-ball (5/5): Hardly could taste any liquor in the very forward lychee flavoring (which I loved!)
Charsu Bun (3/5): The bun bread was extremely soft and warm. The chars pork was not the most tender but the sauce complemented it well. There's nice variation to the bite from the lettuce and cucumber.
Kaki Fries (3/5): The inside of the breading was a moist oyster. I wish the breading had a little more flavor. It came out nice and hot that provided a nice crunch.
Yakiniku Don (4/5): The beef slices were nicely marinated but not the most tender pieces. The veggies included were carrots, cbbage, onions, and pickled ginger. It tasted great on the bed of rice that soaked up all the sauce. I would have enjoyed it with more sauce.
Beef Don (2/5): There was no sauce at all which result in any flavor to the dish. The beef was dry. The egg in the middle should have been prepared runny to allow the yolk to serve as a sauce/provide moisture to the dish.
It’s been over six years to visit this place.
We went there and signed the waiting list and waited about 40 mins for the table. It’s kinda slow rotation service.
And the server nor the hostess didn’t tell us the scan QR code for the menu on the table. It was unfriendly.
Food was ok and not so impressive.
Six years ago was better than today including the server service.
We went there and signed the waiting list and waited about 40 mins for the table. It’s kinda slow rotation service.
And the server nor the hostess didn’t tell us the scan QR code for the menu on the table. It was unfriendly.
Food was ok and not so impressive.
Six years ago was better than today including the server service.
it’s a cute spot for appetizers, to say the least. right off the bat, we were served dirty cups as shown in the first picture. my partner and i ordered the karaage chicken and the veggie spring rolls, and were both yummy! we went on to order the shiyo ramen and the donburi rice bowl and… it was AWFUL. perhaps, either they had a bad day or it wasn’t up to our taste but there was very little broth in the ramen, because the broth itself had somewhat of a bit of flavor. however, i ordered an extra egg, and both eggs seemed spoiled for some reason..? tasted rotten. in regards of the rice bowl, it just lacked flavor. there seemed to be (A LOT) of spicy mayo and barbecue sauce to drown the rice and chicken so it can be somewhat flavorful? we didn’t finish any entrees, and when i brought it up to the server, they were kind enough to give me a fifty percent discount on the ramen, however, i didn’t finish it at ALL. i took at most three bites, so i really wasn’t expecting to pay for it at all, but it’s fine. wouldn’t personally come back.
Here goes another one of my favorite spots to have my ramen & Japanese fix in the Astoria area. The Mochiron (chicken broth w/ torched porks, egg, bamboo shoot, scallion & nori seaweed) for the cold winter days is always a must for me and my family, the food is always fresh, flavorful, crispy and comforting. Service is always great and so is the vibe of this Japanese style restaurant.
Some of the food that I have tried from here & that I enjoyed are the karaage, yaki gyoza, grilled squid, chashu bun, crab salad & chicken mayo don.
During the summer they have a small backyard which is nice to enjoy a warm day with good food and good company.
Some of the food that I have tried from here & that I enjoyed are the karaage, yaki gyoza, grilled squid, chashu bun, crab salad & chicken mayo don.
During the summer they have a small backyard which is nice to enjoy a warm day with good food and good company.
Decor is fun, the food was great, and the service was great. I came here during lunch on a work week. I had the lucky cat ramen with a short rib and it was all great. They had a tv at the bar where they were playing studio ghibli movies. The overall experience was good and I’ll definitely be back
The food was tasty, but the music was very loud — it wasn’t an issue for me but the person I was with had a hard time hearing. The house sake was over warmed, so I’d recommend getting it cold rather than hot. The service was decent considering how limited staff was and how busy they were, and the two waiters were very kind and considerate.
We had an excellent meal here. The Gyoza was great and we all adored our sushi rolls. They were affordable and very well-made. The ramen was delicious. Pretty standard but well-made and would definitely come back for it. The only thing that was a bit off was the timing of the meal. We wanted to enjoy our appetizers and drinks before getting the meal ending ramen. The icing was more like dim sum. The wait it was about a half hour and there are a lot of great places to go have a drink to pass the time. Or you can just wait on the patio.
We had a lovely dinner here recently, as my husband was craving sushi for his birthday. The service was good and the sushi was top notch. We also ordered a bottle of sake and some beers to go with our meal. The place was pretty empty, so we had the upstairs basically entirely to ourselves. The quietness may have bothered some other folks, but we enjoyed the private dining experience. I would definitely come here again!
A family friendly restaurant that’s fun for the kids and cozy for adults. We liked the drinks and appetizers - hojicha latte and chicken wings in particular were highlights. Ramen a bit bland for adult palette but was good for my toddler. Some at our table found the food to be under seasoned.. but I prefer less salty food so that was great for me. In general, the restaurant is perfect for drinks and small bites. Unfortunately, the ramen kind of misses the mark, but I’d definitely go back for other food.
My friend and I went here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. I’ve been to this spot once before but during my most recent experience I had such a good time I had to write about it. We had made a reservation before but on a Saturday around 12:30 it wasn’t too full. The space itself is on the smaller side which gives it a cozy feel. I’d come here with a small group or one other friend. When it came
Time to order I went with the fried chicken bowl which left me filled and also had great flavor. Overall a good dining experience in a trendy area. Go check it out!
Time to order I went with the fried chicken bowl which left me filled and also had great flavor. Overall a good dining experience in a trendy area. Go check it out!
Went for lunch and ordered the teriyaki salmon bento box.
The size of the piece of salmon I received is laughable for $12. It’s literally the size of my fork.
To add insult to injury they laughed with each other about the portion size, gave me a million excuses as to why the meat portions are so small (citing increasing food costs, so let’s reduce the portions and change the same?!) and I received a $2 refund.
Needless to say, this will be my first and last visit to Kenji Sushi.
The size of the piece of salmon I received is laughable for $12. It’s literally the size of my fork.
To add insult to injury they laughed with each other about the portion size, gave me a million excuses as to why the meat portions are so small (citing increasing food costs, so let’s reduce the portions and change the same?!) and I received a $2 refund.
Needless to say, this will be my first and last visit to Kenji Sushi.
My partner and I have been coming here for almost two years now and we love it every time. The food is really good and staff is very friendly. We use to bring our visitors here and they all seem to love it too.
Cute little place! 1st time in. Waitress was very nice. Sushi was good, but it seemed lacking in the amount. It was served on a huge boat platter, but it was very little food.
Had a craving for ramen and decided to give this spot a try. Speedy service and friendly staff. Fried chicken tender appetizer was ok. Tofu salad and sesame dressing was amazing! Would try different ramen dish next time. Broth needed more flavor. Very small establishment.
Had a great experience at Tampopo. Staff was super friendly. We had the chicken and pork Bao Buns and Purple sweet potato Tempura fries. The fries weren't that sweet, but went very well with the curry mayo dipping sauce. Buns were spot on. Perfectly soft with amazing combo of sauces. For main I ordered the Ginger Beef Ramen. I highly recommend adding the spicy chili oil if you want to kick the Flavor up a notch. It was truly perfection
Very nice place. We love coming here. I ordered Set C it was delicious. Please try their pig ears if you like crunchy. Sushi were not bad. Will try next time their ramen.
We really enjoyed Kenji Sushi. The sashimi plate and 2-piece sushi were awesome.
Fish tartar plate- this was more like a cucumber/avocado salad with some small pieces of fish mixed. It’s a shame you don’t get more fish for the high price point
Fish tartar plate- this was more like a cucumber/avocado salad with some small pieces of fish mixed. It’s a shame you don’t get more fish for the high price point
Been coming here for years and it never disappoints. The sushi is delicious and very fresh. Great variety of specialty rolls. Also try the housemade Soju! 🍶
I had basically given up on finding good sushi in center city but gave one more spot a chance and luckily the rolls I ordered for take out at Fuji Mountain were good! I really liked how I could select avocado or cucumber for my spicy salmon and spicy tuna rolls. Fresh and flavorful. I’ll order for pick up again for sure!
Izakaya Masa offers a vibrant and delicious escape for a fun family outing. Our recent visit with two young children proved to be a delightful experience, thanks to the restaurant's welcoming atmosphere, attentive staff, and, most importantly, exceptional sushi.
We dove headfirst into the classics, indulging in perfectly prepared California rolls and spicy salmon rolls. The freshness of the fish was undeniable, each bite bursting with flavor. Even the simple salmon nigiri showcased the high quality of the ingredients.
For the adventurous eaters, the San Diego Dream roll offered an exciting combination, while the rainbow roll provided a visually stunning and flavorful experience. We also couldn't resist the irresistibly crispy gyoza, a perfect appetizer to kick off the meal.
The beverage selection complemented the food perfectly. Our children enjoyed the refreshing ramune sodas, while my wife and I opted for a smooth kikusui sake and a crisp sapporo black.
The entire meal, catering to four people, came to a very reasonable $133. Considering the quality of the ingredients, the generous portions, and the overall enjoyable experience, Izakaya Masa offers excellent value for money.
Highlights:
Exceptionally fresh and flavorful sushi
Diverse menu with options for both classic and adventurous palates
Attentive and friendly service
Clean and inviting atmosphere
Reasonable prices
We dove headfirst into the classics, indulging in perfectly prepared California rolls and spicy salmon rolls. The freshness of the fish was undeniable, each bite bursting with flavor. Even the simple salmon nigiri showcased the high quality of the ingredients.
For the adventurous eaters, the San Diego Dream roll offered an exciting combination, while the rainbow roll provided a visually stunning and flavorful experience. We also couldn't resist the irresistibly crispy gyoza, a perfect appetizer to kick off the meal.
The beverage selection complemented the food perfectly. Our children enjoyed the refreshing ramune sodas, while my wife and I opted for a smooth kikusui sake and a crisp sapporo black.
The entire meal, catering to four people, came to a very reasonable $133. Considering the quality of the ingredients, the generous portions, and the overall enjoyable experience, Izakaya Masa offers excellent value for money.
Highlights:
Exceptionally fresh and flavorful sushi
Diverse menu with options for both classic and adventurous palates
Attentive and friendly service
Clean and inviting atmosphere
Reasonable prices
Very flavorful, would relieve any hangover or if you’re feeling under the weather I recommend it. The pork buns are my favorite they have this sweet yet not overbearing taste, they’re perfect. Though it’s a really small place to dine in the tasty food makes you overlook this con.
The food was super delicious, my favorite were the okonomiyaki, kaki fry and grilled spelt.
The service was warm, friendly and efficient. Cant complain honestly, I would go back for dinner and to chill with some beers and sake
The service was warm, friendly and efficient. Cant complain honestly, I would go back for dinner and to chill with some beers and sake
Service was kinda slow (maybe they were short-staffed?), but they accommodated my request to move to a booth. The decor is cozy. Atmosphere is casual. The food was excellent. I would recommend.
The food here never disappoints. Always fresh and hot. We tried the crispy chicken and shrimp 🍤 this time around and it was really delicious 😋. Of you're in the area and are in the mood.for some tasty Japanese food, give them a try! P.s. the calamari is awesome 👌
Edited review after been there dozen of times during the past couple of years.
This place is actually amazing. I really misjudged my first impression.
The food is actually very tasty, all their Don's meals, fried stuff, are simply the best and done exactly right.
Special mentions to the Snow Chicken Don, with the extra grilled/torched onion and mayo on the top. And the home made cucumber pickles, those are addictive.
With a couple of Sojus, this is a real good place to have fun.
[Original 2019]The food is good, but I didn't get this Wahou effect.
This place is actually amazing. I really misjudged my first impression.
The food is actually very tasty, all their Don's meals, fried stuff, are simply the best and done exactly right.
Special mentions to the Snow Chicken Don, with the extra grilled/torched onion and mayo on the top. And the home made cucumber pickles, those are addictive.
With a couple of Sojus, this is a real good place to have fun.
[Original 2019]The food is good, but I didn't get this Wahou effect.
This place is the best. It’s never crowded and the food is always delicious. You get seated very quickly and the food comes out equally as fast. The servers are very nice and professional. I always come here for the Katsu chicken it’s probably the best friend chicken I’ve ever had. It comes out with two large cutlets cooked perfectly tender and crunchy. The menu also has a pretty good selection of items to choose from. I would highly recommend eating here.