Reliably really good. Come hungry and you will not be disappointed. If it's a holiday, make sure to make a reservation. Spicy tuna can be done with chili oil vs spicy mayo if you can't do eggs. Spicy tuna with Chili Oil is better in my opinion. Grilled with salt options for chicken and fish if you can't do soy or wheat like me. Decent selection and rotating specials. If the Toro Taku Maki is on the Specials Menu and in stock try it. It is so good Service is attentive and overall very good. No complaints. If you like Japanese food I highly recommend this place. read more

Daruma Restaurant - Pickled vegetables - Japanese Near Me - Schaumburg, Illinois

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Good maki, sashimi, sushi, pickles, takoyaki, and broiled fish appetizer. However, tonight's fry cook needed a lot of help or more training. The chicken wing appetizer needed more time (pink meat), and the tempura on the tempura don entree was super doughy, white and not crispy - resulting in a bowlful of limp shrimp and veggies that were further affected by a large dousing of a gloopy sauce. Very unappetizing. Couldn't eat it. Off night or bad menu pick - one of the two. Really attentive and caring service, as usual - except a delayed beer replenishment. Always get a kick out of the indoor koi pond. read more

4.5/5 - Came on a Saturday evening with a reservation in the fancy room where you take off your shoes, clean interior! Our waiter was helpful in answering all of our questions about the extensive menu. Tako Wasabi: A small bowl about the size of a pointer finger, but packed with lots of small, strong pieces of octopus; chewy, savory, with a sharp and fragrant wasabi kick. Leaned on the salty side, but very unique! Beef Tataki: The yuzu sauce, very sour, pairs well with the raw steak, with a side of fresh seaweed Japanese Spaghetti (full): Al dente, chewy pasta with a tangy flavor and a creamy aftertaste, with a side of parmesan and tabasco to add if you want; shareable between 2-3 people Buta Nira Moyashi: Slightly crisped pork with a good balance of lean and fat, served on a generous bed of chives and crunchy soybeans, comes with chili pepper to add if you want; leans a bit on the salty side Curry: A huge bowl! Celebrated a birthday, they gave our birthday person a small free matcha japanese cheesecake with a candle. :) read more

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Amazing option for Japanese food. We didn't have reservations and it was a Friday evening but we were able to be seated at the bar. They have an excellent selection of sushi. They also have daily specials and we tried the quail eggs and bacon and deep fried snow crab-both were excellent options. Tried the Jennifer roll and it was delicious. I had the ramen for my main course and it was amazing. Interior has quite a bit of seating. The restaurant was packed. Would recommend reservations if you are going on a weekend read more

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I was really excited to come out here for a little cute date night dinner with my boyfriend, since we were going to an event nearby. The space is very cute and they have private rooms that seem cute too (we weren't seated there so I didn't get a good look). However, both my boyfriend and I found the food kind of underwhelming for the price point. The Japanese spaghetti is on the cheaper end so that's fine, but we also got the beef croquettes, vegetable tempura, and curry katsu. I was disappointed with the curry katsu (I'm sorry but I like the Japanese instant curry blocks you can get better). The veggie tempura was not particularly crispy. Overall the food was enjoyable but not great. read more

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Went again with a japanese friend that constantly goes over there. She picked different things I haven't tried and everything were amazing! The sushi is fresh and full of proteins on it. There are different small dishes are great for sharing and have a beer with. The service is on point as last time I came with a friend. Tbh I would keep coming here since it is constantly doing a great job and keep the quality on everything! read more

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Hands-down the best sushi in Chicago & that's coming from me who just moved here from Los Angeles!

It's been a while since I've been back here, but it's still as good as I could remember! I walked in and it was pretty busy! The staff was attentive and I was greeted & was seated within a few minutes. It was kinda cold inside and noise level wasn't super loud. Still able to hold a conversation without shouting. We got wings, the spaghetti (classic....a must), and the katsu. The wings were okay. I loved the spaghetti & it wasn't dry. It was served on a hot plate & we added eggs to it as well. The portion of the katsu was enough to share for 2. I knew I wouldn't able to finish it. It came with the cabbage salad, rice, a side of spaghetti, and potato salad. I also got a miso soup as well. Everything was delicious & I wish I could have fit more food into my stomach, but we can save that for another day! Looking forward to coming back again. read more

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I had extremely high expectations for this place, and they met every single one of them! We got the katsu curry, Japanese spaghetti, and the hot soba noodles. Let me tell you... I always hate when restaurants give such small portions for their katsu curry; however, theirs was MASSIVE. I literally had to take half of it home, and it was so delicious! The katsu was crispy, and the curry was packed with flavor and paired so well with the white rice. The Japanese spaghetti was interesting since it was very sweet, but I could get behind it. The hot soba noodles were comforting and warm, and I enjoyed the tempura they gave on the side. The service was immaculate; our server saw I was struggling to find the katsu curry and secretly whispered that they have it and that it's a secret menu item. He also made sure to always check up on us and fill our drinks. The ambiance felt so authentic as well; there were private sections where you could actually sit on a pillow like you're in Japan. The outside looks a little rundown, but you definitely can't judge a book by its cover. It's a hole in the wall spot, and you gotta try it! read more

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Daruma is a solid spot with so much charm, from the traditional Daruma theme to the private tatami dining rooms. For a moment, both my wife and I felt completely teleported back to our travels in Japan. We brought our infant along, and the staff was incredibly accommodating and sweet with him. It felt like we were seated in a "family section," which was great because we were surrounded by other families with young kids. Right off the bat, my wife tried the Cha Zaru Soba (green tea soba). It reminded us so much of the shops in Japan--refreshing and cooked to a perfect texture. I went with the katsu curry, which came with miso soup. The portion was massive, the cutlet was crispy, and the curry flavor was spot on. For dessert, we tried the matcha tiramisu; it was okay, though it left a bit to be desired as the matcha flavor was a little light. Even though prices everywhere feel a bit more "premium" these days, Daruma is a fantastic treat for a special occasion. Between the attentive staff, the excellent food, and the authentic vibes, it was a wonderful experience. read more

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Daruma was an amazing experience! We went for a friends birthday and had a great time. Upon entering, you immediately feel like you've been transported to Japan. We sat in a private room that required your shoes be taken off. You sat on the floor and had your legs dangle as it was a dropped flooring. If we weren't in a large group, I don't think we would have had the opportunity to sit here but it was a definitely a dining experience I never had before! I ordered the tonkatsu and it was HUGE! The portion sizes are definitely worth the money. The Japanese spaghetti was reminiscent of Filipino spaghetti (without the hotdogs), but still had that sweetness level to it. The staff was very nice and even let us store our friends birthday cake in their fridge during our meal and brought it out for us with candles to sing Happy Birthday! Overall, a super fun experience! read more

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Daruma is an experience not just a meal. If you have a group, you can enclose yourselves in a tatami room where the wait staff comes to take orders. It's a happy place for my mixed Japanese family. We always feel welcome. The ambiance is very Japanese. The green tea is strong and authentic. The food is so satisfying. I love that they are in the neighborhood. It's a go to place for all the Japanese community. Try their lunch time specials. It's really a wonderful getaway. We bring big groups. It is tradition to eat there. read more

A hidden gem! Daruma is fast, fresh, and generous with portions. I got the Daruma Bowl, which came loaded with three salmon sashimi, two yellowtail, three tuna sashimi, plus a mountain of sushi rice, pickled ginger, and miso soup - all for a great price! My friend's lunch special looked just as amazing. Bonus tip! You're served hot tea as soon as you sit down. Highly recommend, it's delicious!!! read more

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I came here because of a recommendation, and I'm so glad I did! The food was authentic and not Americanized at all. The service was great, and they offered excellent recommendations. I love their lunch menu--it's inexpensive for the quality and quantity of food you get. I definitely recommend checking it out! I also loved their koi pond and the private rooms where you take off your shoes before dining. They even provide warm towels to clean your hands before the meal. I'll definitely be back! read more

I would love to give this restaurant a five stars but it's not deserved it. The staff was unprofessional and unattended. We got there around 1:30pm, the restaurant was emptied. We got sat and ordered our foods; nabeyaki udon and bento salmon. Food was delicious! The nabeyaki broth was well balanced and flavorful. The server dropped out our foods and never came back to check on us. At 2:10, we finished eating and they dropped off our check, we paid and left. No greeting No thank you! Showing disgraceful behaviors! That's terrible service. read more

Daruma Restaurant - Nabeyaki udon - Japanese Near Me - Schaumburg, Illinois

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The food was DELICIOUS! The portions were also very big. The outside of the building doesn't look like much, but it's beautiful inside! Very comforting interior. The service was also great, everyone was very kind. I will be back!! read more

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My favorite Japanese restaurant in Schaumburg! Very authentic, generous portions, great service and atmosphere. On special occasions my family and I enjoy renting a tatami room! Definitely come and check out the lunch specials as well. read more

When I walked into Daruma, staff was immediately attentive and friendly. You could also see that they were all genuinely happy to be working together. That felt welcoming on a cold, winter night. Also, right when you enter, you feel as if you are truly in a Japanese restaurant. It does not at all have the feeling of a typical strip ubiquitous restaurant. From the architecture, the wood used, the flow with right angles, the design of the bar to the pathway to the separate dining rooms and even the separate, sunken, sit on the floor, private dining spaces, it all felt like I was back in Okinawa. As I waited for my friend, I had a seat at the bar and some oolong tea. Bartender and her coworkers were also Pleasant and engaging. When my friend showed up, we asked if we could sit and eat there and they said yes but the owner or general manager said no because he had some friends coming. We thought that was strange but it was the one negative experience of the whole night. We sat down and immediately ordered me so soup which arrived promptly and hot. It was good but nothing special. We ordered more tea which took a bit of time but that was okay. We ordered a big roll, I think it was called a rainbow roll, and also nigiri. It all arrived quickly and while it wasn't the best in the world, it was certainly presented nicely enough, was fresh enough and tasted good. My friend and I were able to engage in good conversation in our booth without overwhelming noise from the other tables. Staff was attentive. Pricing was reasonable for what we got. The shopping area had plenty of parking. read more

Love coming to Daruma for dinner. The service overall is usually pretty good, of course you'll get the occasional server who just doesn't seem to be paying attention, but 3/4 times I've been here lately the service was great, and the 1/4 the server changed shortly after to a much better server. Their food is always solid. Quality is great, and the portions are probably the largest portions you'll find at a Japanese restaurant, anywhere in Chicago. Can't even finish the Katsudon anytime I go here. I have never been disappointed with the experience here. The decor is very quaint, and my niece and nephew love the little koi pond they have inside. I hope one day I can eat inside one of the more traditional rooms they have, it looks really nice in there! read more

Highly recommend! Make sure to call ahead and make a reservation just in case! Sometimes it could get crowded and there could be a long wait. Check their hours ahead of time before calling though bc they have a break between lunch and dinner. The food is great! Huge plate of sizzling spaghetti for such a great price. Fish has always been fresh every time. The takoyaki is always amazing!! Nice presentation, servers are kind. You won't be disappointed! Only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because the tables and floors are kinda sticky. But they always provide hand wipes and I just use that to wipe down my side of the table :) read more

Daruma Restaurant - Spaghetti, hamachi, salmon - Japanese Near Me - Schaumburg, Illinois

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I tried both spider rolls and rainbow rolls, although they were both exceptionally tasty, I thought the rainbow roll had a superior flavor and texture. They had an amazing tonkatsu meal. Even though the dish was large, I can't believe I finished it all. read more

Daruma Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Schaumburg, Illinois

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We had a great night out and ate at one of our favorite restaurants. The food was delicious, and the service was excellent. The ambiance reminded me of a traditional Japanese restaurant in Tokyo or Sandai. It's a restaurant to bring Japanese friends if they are missing back home cuisine and a good place to take your friends or go on a date. I will be returning here soon to try some more of their delicious food. read more

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I really wanted to like Daruma since a friend is a regular here and there are so many good reviews. We came here on a weekday evening for dinner and were promptly seated but also came around the time they opened for the evening. The restaurant was pretty busy by the time we were done eating. We shared a kani (crab) croquette (2 pieces) and chicken karaage. We ordered a Japanese spaghetti for our toddler since there is no kids menu. I had the tempura soba while hubby had the black tonkotsu ramen (pork bone based ramen noodle soup with burnt garlic oil, topped with chashu, egg, woodear, bamboo shoots, and green onions). The croquette were decent but they were pretty small and slightly overcooked. The chicken karaage was pretty standard. However, I did not care for the Japanese spaghetti and although the description did mention that it is made with ketchup it just mostly only tasted like ketchup to me. The tempura soba was pretty bland and the tempura had so much batter but was undercooked. Service was good and everyone was kind. One of the waiters even prepared a "kid's chopstick" for my toddler by using a rubber band and the chopstick wrapper. Maybe we ordered the wrong things but had a pretty forgettable experience. read more

It's been a while since I last visited this. Their lunch usually carried some good choices, like curry chicken, salmon bento box. The only menu we always order if it was for dinner was the Nabeyaki woodon, and occasional pork broth (not always available). But the sushi nigiri is kind of pricey as they counted per piece, average $4 to $7 each. read more

Best sushi is here. Everything delicious just l ate the food in Japan. Service also good. read more

I have changed the rating to 5 stars as this restaurant always hits the spot. Everything melts in my mouth here... :) Tip: I'd recommend making a reservation or calling ahead if you want to do walk in to ensure there isn't a long wait. It can get pretty busy. Parking: parking lot available Food Takoyaki: The texture and taste is just perfect. Best to eat when it comes out as it is still warm. Kuro Tonkatsu Ramen ($13.95): A good portion to be shared if eating other items. Otherwise, a good portion for 1 person. Toro Taku Maki ($13.95): the fatty tuna melts in your mouth. They didn't have fatty tuna at the time we went so it was replaced with tuna but I've had their fatty tuna before and it was delish. Spicy Tuna Roll: I love how they have more tuna vs rice ratio and it just melts in your mouth. I'll be back when I'm craving Japanese food! read more

Okay since this review 7 years ago, my palate has since grown and matured haha We ordered the ramen and sashimi. I still love the ramen. It's rich, yet light and full of flavor. When they bring it out, there's a strong garlic scent that draws you in. The char sui is tender and flavorful. The noodles were cooked perfectly. Overall over pleased with how this has not changed. The sashimi was a huge surprise. Since the last review, I've ventured away from makis and cooked rolls. I've had omakase and sashimi at numerous restaurants. None of which serves their sashimi pieces as big as here. It was intimidating actually. I feel like they could have slice it's again and it would be a much more pleasant bite. The fish itself were fresh and delicious. I actually liked the tuna they served, and normally I would prefer something else over regular tuna. I ordered the fatty hamachi just to try because I didn't know hamachi came as fatty? Again, the piece was huge and I had to take like 3 bites. It was okay, didn't felt like it was "fatty" I would prefer regular hamachi. We also ordered the coconut milk Panna cotta and I'm so glad I did because that was AMAZING. The panda cotta itself was creamy and lightly sweetened. The mango purée was an excellent compliment to the richness because it was tangy. read more

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I wanted to add 3 additional items that are worth ordering. Beef tataki, soft shell crab, and tonkatsu dinner. Tokatsu dinner you get a nice big piece of pork loin. It's crunchy and moist. 5/5. Soft shell crab is not overly fried it's just right. Tastes great with that ponzu sauce. 5/5. Beef tataki has great quality NY strip meat. Make sure you eat it with the garlic, green onions, and ponzu sauce. Those components will amplify the taste read more

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Authentic food, admirable service, and astounding ambiance! Daruma Restaurant has such lovely, homey interior that makes you feel as though you traveled to the heart of Japan. The waiters went above and beyond to make sure that my brother's birthday was special. We made a reservation to sit Horigotatsu style on tatami floors. I highly recommend making a reservation for this private seating since it's wonderful to fully immerse yourself into the culture. For appetizers, we ordered the Beef Tataki and Chicken Karaage. Although a bit on the pricier side, the Beef Tataki is a must-try when you come visit this restaurant. The ponzu sauce complimented the beef very well. The Chicken Karaage was the perfect temperature and crunch. Although I would have much preferred a dipping sauce on the side, the cold mashed potatoes were surprisingly refreshing. Now for the main star of the show-- the entrees. The waitress was incredibly kind, helping provide information on the portion sizes for the sushi menu. We ended up ordering the Daruma Sushi Assortment, half a Crazy Roll, Spicy Scallop Roll, Hon Maguro Taku Maki Roll, and Tempura Udon. With such a wide selection of dishes, each one of them was a showstopper in their own way. The Hon Maguro Taku Maki was one of their specials, recommended by the waitress, and ended up being our favorite dish of the night. The nigiri slices were more than generous and the quality of the fish was excellent. We ended the near-perfect night with a complimentary Matcha Tiramisu to celebrate my brother's birthday. It tasted good, but I think adding more matcha powder to the top would have elevated the flavor a lot more. However, the dessert was very much appreciated. I will leave here with a few notes: 1. Jump out of your comfort zone and try some more authentic Japanese dishes here 2. Reserve the Horigotatsu seating 3. Thank me later read more

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It's been at least a decade of being a patron at this restaurant. While they offer Japanese izakaya and other comfort foods, Daruma's staple has always been the sushi. The value for the skill of the cuts and quality of the fish is hard to match. It's also always a good sign when folks from the restaurant's respective country dines at the establishment and Daruma is no stranger to the Japanese community in the Chicagoland area. The restaurant offers private tatami rooms and is a great option for groups. There are some veteran staff I had the pleasure to greet again during my most recent visit and some newer staff clearly still learning, but they are always respectful and helpful while the owner is always a welcomed sight at this establishment. Most importantly - the food is a delight and it's hard to go wrong. Try their specials if you want to venture outside of sushi and the spaghetti is a Japanese comfort food well appreciated. It's definitely different for most non-Japanese, but can be weirdly addictive. Until next time! read more

The sushi and entrees are excellent, and the staff and ambiance fantastic. We love this restaurant and have been going there for more than twenty years. It never disappoints. read more

Newly discovered spot bec I was jonesing for some tasty katsu curry... and I am so glad we found Daruma! One of the BEST katcu curries I've had outside of Japan. Katsu is crispy, tender, juicy and the curry is delish... just a bit of spice. perfect. But be aware, it comes in a gigantic bowl of rice and is large enough for 2 people to share! I did find out it's on the lunch menu and I've just been lucky enough that there was some available for dinner.. Next time I'll have to call ahead to ensure there's some left.. unless they would be so kind and put it on the dinner menu!! It's a cozy place too, with private dining rooms.. read more

Daruma has been a tried and true family favorite for consistently high-quality Japanese food including teishoku (combo plates / bento boxes consisting of rice, miso soup, and a main dish such as grilled pork ginger, etc.) and my personal favorite, chirashi-sushi. The prices have gone up over the years. The appetizer neapolitan spaghetti is a classic Japanese-Western dish served on a cast iron plate - piping hot. It's priced attractively. I usually trek out to the suburbs so I can enjoy some sushi. I usually get the chirashi sushi here which costs over $35. My mom got their teriyaki chicken plate which was generously portioned with enough for leftovers. read more

Best real Japanese food in the city. This is the type of Japanese food that you would get if you got off the airplane in Narita; this is what I would love placed in front of me after a long flight. Best local Japanese in Chicago, but don't come here because I don't want to wait in long lines to eat here! read more

My friend told me about this place saying it's very cute and good. I decided to bring my family here on the weekend. I called at like 5:30 pm for a reservation on the day of and was told they could only seat us at 7pm which was fine. Everything was so good and fresh. The steak freaking melts in your mouth here. The tonkatsu entree was freaking huge! Honestly, you can pretty much share each entree with at least 2 people. I was stuffed after eating half of the tonkatsu. The sashimi were ginormous and fresh. The tako wasabi was so good! I will definitely be back next time. Price is super reasonable for the amount of food you get as well as the quality is ON POINT! Come here if you're in the area for some Japanese food. It's so hard to find both quality and quantity these days with the crazy inflation prices! read more

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When I first moved out to Schaumburg This was the first Japanese Restaurant I went to and thinking about how good the quality was when I first came here Now a days I'm not sure if there are different owners or why the quality seems to have gone down. Everything was cooked properly but none of the dishes just had any wow factor to it. Inflation definitely feels like a factor here as all the dishes just don't match up to the quality read more

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I went to Daruma with a friend and did it make reservation. The wait was a bit since the place was very packed! The food was amazing! I really liked it a lot! The quality and taste make me think of Japan! The service was okay. The ambiance was great I liked the layout of inside of the restaurant! I highly highly recommend DR to anyone who wants high quality food! read more

Daruma Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Schaumburg, Illinois

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I am japanese and Daruma has been my go to place for my home-country food cravings. As of January 2025, I've been a loyal customer for almost 13 years. I have tried many Japanese restaurants in the Chicago and Chicago suburbs, and I can say majority of "Japanese" restaurants are not authentic at all. But Daruma is NOT one of those. This is where you can taste the feel of home. The quality of food is amazing, and unlike many other, portions are very generous. I highly recommend their weekday lunch specials. You get the best deal on authentic Japanese food. It won't disappoint you. One other thing I want to note, besides their great quality of food and service, I have noticed that the staff have been consistent. In many restaurants, you see new servers every time you visit. Daruma has a group of very consistent and seasoned staff that provide a personable experience on tops of their amazing service. (I thinks that's a remarkable quality to measure for this industry.) My high school-aged kids know some of the staff their entire life. I usually visit for lunch with my friends during the day, so kids are rarely with me to dine here, however, when they get to come, even after a long while, the staff always remember and recognize my kids and welcome them back. I can't say enough great things about this place. I am certain you also won't be disappointed and hope that they continue doing well. read more

Was looking for a place in the burbs to have an early dinner with the fam, and found Daruma. When I was in Tokyo I fell in love with all the Japanese cuisine that isn't just sushi and ramen, and I've longed to find a good place with stuff like Japanese curry. Daruma seemed to fit the bill, and we got to reserve a private tatami room (I read for fewer than four people there's a fee for it, so be aware). The don't have a website but will take reservations over the phone. I was a little cautious as despite being Asian, my parents aren't the most adventurous eaters. They left it to me to order, so I went for a big variety of things - fried oysters, beef croquettes, potato salad, takoyaki, yakitori, chicken karage, and a bowl of ramen to share. I loved everything, and I really want to come back for their lunch specials since that's when they seem to serve curry. Everything tasted the fresh, the potato salad had a nice pop of bacon, that takoyaki wasn't a molten ball of lava in my mouth - it's exactly what I've been missing. The room was perfect for a little celebration as my family took pics and I put my little Bowser Jr. toy from my sister on the table to pose with us. Our server was terrific and entertained my dad's attempts at speaking Japanese. My wife and I agreed it felt like being back in Tokyo, but with a lot more space. My parents, who'd never had ramen even after the big ramen explosion in the Chicagoland area a few years back, enjoyed it. They saw it as a kind of Japanese dum sum, and I'm excited to be able to try and expand their palates even more...dare I say, maybe even sushi?? Either way, Daruma is great and I can see why it was so busy even at 5pm. read more

More variety in their menu and everything we ordered tasted very good! Will definitely be back!