My wife and I visited Hakucho for dinner yesterday on a Saturday night. We had reservations for 6:30pm but still had to wait about 20 minutes for a table to open. Once seated we shared a variety of dishes over the course of the evening. We started with the Root Chips & Dip. The chips were nicely crisp and the tofu dip was creamy with a hint of spiciness. The Mushroom Karaage was super crisp and smokey and paired with a creamy garlic mayo dipping sauce. The Avocado Skewer was creamy, filled with a yolky egg and paired with a flavorful ponzu sauce. The Hamachi Crudo was my favorite dish of the evening. Fresh sliced Hamachi was marinated in a sweet ponzu sauce and sat on a juicy marinated sliced watermelon. The Chicken Thigh Skewer was juicy and smokey. Finally, the Shrimp, Scallop & Rice had savory sticky rice and tender scallops and shrimp all marinated in a milky broth. Overall, Hakucho is a nice tapas style spot perfect for a date night in downtown Lakeland. read more

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Loved this place! The vibe is very modern. Love the shareable plates. The waiter answered all of the questions we had. Went with 3 friends and shared 10 plates. SO YUMMY read more

Hakucho - Corn skewer - Izakaya Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

Came here for a first date and thankfully the date was as good as the food. The decore was kinda awesome as it was unexpected. Our waitress was super attentive but not too overly present. Would definitely come again and you should too! read more

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Was able to grab a seat at the bar for dinner on a Saturday night before it got too busy. The bartenders were attentive and did a great job of explaining the menu. The pork dumplings were flavorful and different than the usual dumplings. The pork belly skewer was tasty. I also really enjoyed the mushroom skewer. Two thumbs up for a great dining experience. read more

Hakucho - Pork belly and mushroom skewers. Gohan with egg. - Izakaya Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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We were en route from Tampa to central and needed to grab dinner. My my my this was a treat. Has an elevated vibe but with down home service. Very happy with everything. Best thing was the dumplings, everything else was very close. read more

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Hakucho is a fun and unique addition to downtown Lakeland- Japanese/ Asian fusion in shareable plates. The whole idea here is that you're meant to share things with your party. Most of the menu is small plates- there's a few actual entrees on the back but it's sparse compared to the rest of the offerings. We tried a couple of their skewers, and all agreed the wagyu skewer was pretty fantastic. It only comes with one skewer whereas the other types come with 2, which is a little disappointing. We tried some of the dumplings which were unique from other dumplings and I'm not sure how to describe it, but we enjoyed them. I also tried something that basically looked like a sushi sandwich/ small plate with salmon, roe, spicy mayo packed onto a seaweed & rice patty. It was decent but not something I'd probably get again. A highlight here is probably the drinks- even the mocktails were nice and refreshing. We sat outside because it was insanely busy and booked out inside- but it's worth seeing because the inside looks like a whole different place, not like you're in Lakeland, Florida. It does get overwhelmingly loud when there's a lot of people, however, because it's a more compact space that they made the most seating out of that they could. I'd really probably give this a 3.5 stars overall, but we had really great service which upped the experience more. For all the hype this place had I was hoping for a little more "pizzazz", but maybe they'll be like the best wines and get better as time goes on. read more

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My first time here and it was a fun experience. As soon as I walked in, there was a cool dj playing some very light house tunes in the corner. It was very nice looking on the inside. They had unique upscale booths. The flavors were incredible! I feel as though the prices absolutely match the quality and taste of everything. read more

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Modern sleek interior Sat at 2 seat high top by kitchen Attentive service Food comes out as it is ready All dietary questions were answered clearly All skewers are gluten free We ordered shrimp also but forgot to take a picture because we were too busy enjoying our food All food was absolutely delicious and we stopped from ordering more so we could have more to try next visit Hot sake coming soon read more

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Had a great evening enjoying the ambiance and food. Sorry no pictures, we were too busy eating. We sat at the bar, and our server and bartender Jack was excellent. This was our first visit, so he had to review the serving process, and the menu. The only disappointment was they were out of the KFC Wings, which came highly recommended. The wagyu skewers were amazing, as was the chicken thighs, two of the best things we had. The pork belly was probably our least favorite item that we ordered, but it was still good. We ordered the Wagyu and Frites and it was excellent melting your mouth steak. read more

This was our first visit, and it's already one of our favorite spots in Lakeland! The atmosphere is beautiful and such a unique experience. The food and drinks were delicious, and we loved the shared-plate concept--it lets you sample a great variety of the menu without feeling overly full. Our server Jojo was extremely helpful and very knowledgeable. We'll definitely be back! read more

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The food was very good. Our first time there and fun in a group to share and enjoy time together! Service was also very good! Our server kept our glasses full & food came out hot and steamy. Ambience was also good. We were a party of 7 celebrating a birthday, we had a good table that allowed us to talk and enjoy without being too close to other diners. I forgot to take pics so can't review food per plate so let me just say my favs. Their wings were all delicious, the potato salad was over the top delish and I'm trying to figure out recipe! The ones at our table that got ramen liked it. The shrimp was good I heard, and the fried rice was delish. The only thing not loved by all was the steak skewers. Not sure why cuz I was busy with eating other things. read more

Great restaurant located in downtown Lakeland. We came in during their 6 month celebration and it was extremely busy and lively. The restaurant is easy to find and there is a free parking lot across from the park across the street. The restaurant has very nice decor and style in my opinion. The menu is different enough from other Izakaya restaurants that I have been to that it's definitely worth a stop. The drink selection is really really nice as well with craft cocktails and Japanese whiskeys. Food wise- they have some good gluten-free options. The skewers shrimp were my absolute favorite of all the skewered meats/protiens that I had. I did have the wagyu and it was overcooked as well as the chicken thighs. The vegetables on the menu are very very good if you like vegetables there is a large array in that dish and it's enough for multiple people and comes topped with housemate lotus chips. The lotus chips are a MUST TRY and you can order those under the small bites or bar bites section with a garlic aioli. Anyhow, the ramen was also good and we tried a lot of small items and the price point is very fair. I would highly recommend this restaurant. 3 stars because my protiens were overcooked and all of it came out cold which was strange because it is supposed to be served as soon as it's ready because it's all small plates. Service however, was fast so I am not sure why everything was cold. read more

Hakucho - small plates - Izakaya Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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I forgot to take pictures but everything here is amazing We had a great time here, the staff were very attentive and friendly read more

Hakucho - Izakaya Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

Okay so I just want to say that this place was absolutely outstanding both in taste of the food the ambience was great, The service was very fast. We did get there right at 4:00 and they started filling up pretty quickly after we got here they do open at 4 pm. All of the food was out quickly and was outstanding. Little bit on the pricey side so for all the dishes that we got it was $160 plus $20 tip. See attached pictures it was quite a bit of food we were stuffed. I didn't get a picture of it but I also got a margarita pineapple flavor it was good but strong. read more

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Time and time again I am pleasantly surprised! This has become our favorite place in Lakeland! From the ambiance to the service and food has been outstanding, amazing, and every word that can possibly describe an extraordinary experience each time! It's no wonder it has been the hot spot since it has opened! I'd name every server that has helped and whose service we have enjoyed but I'd be naming everyone! Thank you to the whole team! read more

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You pay for ambiance. Food was mediocre and did make me go to the br shortly after eating here...probably would not come back tbh read more

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Super modern and cool addition to the Lakeland area best suited for date night or small groups. Very pleased with our server, Jojo who was spunky and provided excellent recommendations. We've dined at a few tapas style restaurants, but the Asian flare here was unique and executed well! We were disappointed that a few menu items were not available during our visit. However, we are already talking about visiting again after the official grand opening. The Eggplant & Tofu was one of the most surprising dishes, tried something different and loved it! At this time there is not an official dessert menu, but the staff is ordering cookies and treats from local bakeries around Lakeland (such as Born and Bread and Banditas, YESSSS support small!!!!) and topping them with vanilla ice cream. read more

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Incredible first time experience. Flavor and pricing are unmatched, a place you go back again and again just to experience something new each time. read more

Our reservation is 7:30pm. When we arrived, we were told it is going to be another 1 hour wait because they overbooked. Obviously this place is busy and they do not care about losing customers. read more

Hakuchō has amazing food, service, and ambiance. Their Japanese inspired cuisine with a twist is just what Lakeland downtown area needed. Amazing flavors. read more

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I went for lunch and had an excellent outside experience with a great server. They have inside and outside seating. Hakucho is essentially the word for ordinary or working class pub in Japanese. It was definitely elevated in the modern interior. They mostly serve "small plates" meant to be shared but there are definitely some entree-sized options on the menu. Everything I ordered was perfectly cooked and well-executed, artfully, for the eyes. They do a nice Japanese curry, a chicken katsu, some great sandwiches, both udon & ramen, several lemon-flavored dishes, fried chicken (karaage). You can add a poached egg or a tasty potato salad to any order or as a stand alone item. I will be back again and again. Lunches are around $15-20, depending on your add-ons and more if you buy drinks. This place will be habit forming for flavors alone. Service was prompt & friendly. read more

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This place was amazing. The place was well kept and clean. The front staff, wait staff, bar staff, and the cooking staff were so friendly and welcoming. They even helped with dietary needs. And mostly the food was delectable. There are many options to choose from and is made to order. It was fresh and delicious. Thank you Joey, Luke, manager Clay and the ice cream man for a great experience. read more

Great food, amazing ambience and awesome service ! Just a really long wait even with reservations .

I've been to izakayas in both Orlando and Tampa, and this one definitely has a more modern vibe. The staff were super friendly and helpful. While I felt I got a bit more value at other places, the food here was great and came out fairly quickly. My 21-month-old grandson especially loved the karaage chicken. Nice addition to Munn Park area! read more

Hakucho - Kaisendon - Izakaya Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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I have now been to Hakucho twice! Both times it has been incredible! Service is top notch, food is so good. I am not a vegan and would never order the tomato and tofu on my own. My friend did order this, I was so impressed with how much flavor there was in this dish. This is a must go to place! I recommend making reservations in advance. read more

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Again make reservation. We didn't so we were offered to sit outside and it was exceptionally hot. Additionally our host took us to a table where it seemed like someone has urinated around that area. The food was okay not delicious. It was burger week and the server was recommending that. It wasn't that good. The ramen looked good but the broth tasted too salty. Imagine hot soup in hot weather and outside with no fan. This is like an Asian Fusion. Not the best food. read more

This was the worst first experience ever. We had an 8:00 reservation but did not get seated until 8:45. Want seated, we did not get acknowledged until 9:15 and this is , after we had to keep asking , are we going to get any service. The places closes at 10 p.m. that alone made my our experience terrible.I that alone will make me never, ever go there again for such an upscale restaurant that recommends reservations. read more

We were seated at the counter so we were overlooking the bar and kitchen. We got to chat with Chris the owner and Luke our Bartender. They were very friendly and chatted with us throughout the meal. Outside of images posted we also got the lacto fries with anchovy sauce and Tsukemono. I ordered a 2nd order of the prawn skewers as that sauce was delicious. Will be a repeat spot for sure. Glad Lakeland is bringing in different flavors. read more

Hakucho - Prawn skewer - Izakaya Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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Newly opened in a "soft" opening phase. Service and Food just okay. However, two critical things happened during our visit that left an unpleasant taste in our mouth. 1: Dumplings on the menu are listed for $8 as a serving of 6. We received 5 and when we mentioned this we were told that 6 was a typo on the menu and that the $8 price was for 5. Typos are not the customer's problem and the server was not coached to mention this prior to (or even at) ordering but immediately knew it was a typo and that other customers had raised the concern when we mentioned that we only received 5. Knowingly putting a menu out they try not to honor and not mentioning it up front feels a little bait and switch-y. 2: While service fees are becoming common I have never been in a place that charges them without letting the customer know up front. They charge 2% for a service fee and there is no mention of this from staff or on the menu. Usually you get some note which mentions the service fee and how it is used to further compensate the staff. Nothing like that here. The food itself is fine but you really have to buy into the concept to feel it is of value. The manager on duty addressed my concerns but also said something to the effect of it being my choice to dine there. Yes, it was my choice. However, this place is not yet up to the higher standards or any other restaurant downtown. read more

This New Japanese HOT SPOT checked all the feel-good boxes for me. Great design, cozy, modern atmosphere, The service was top notch and the food was to die for. Everything came in small shareable plates and was so well prepared, well seasoned, and flavorful. I especially loved their potato salad that was made with cucumbers and carrots, and their chicken thigh skewers, grilled perfectly with a sort of sweet teriyaki sauce and chimichurri. CHEF'S KISS! I am definitely recommending this place to my friends and will definitely be back. read more

Amazing service, fantastic food, Vibe was great, Very clean and a very feel good atmosphere. This was one of the best restaurants I've been to in a long time amazing team work, and very positive attitudes. I wish I could give this place 6 stars!! read more

Ambiance was cool they had a dj. Food was average would not come back for dinner again. read more

Hakucho - Korean fried chicken wings - Izakaya Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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Food was unique and well seasoned. Chef inspired and well plated. Atmosphere was comfortably upscale, and staff was welcoming and helpful.

This was a new experience for us. The waitress was so kind and informative. The food was excellent in taste and presentation! It was a nice adventure on a Saturday evening. We highly recommend this restaurant! read more

We were so impressed with the value. Very reasonable and so many new flavors. We had a great time and will definitely come back. We sat outside and it was awesome! read more

Hakuchō is a great new addition to downtown lakeland. It is basically Japanese tapas. Think small plates made for sharing. I haven't had anything that wasn't delicious at Hakucho. The only thing I don't recommend is the "wagyu skewer". It didn't taste like wagyu, it just seemed like a regular sirloin skewer. Which I would have been happy with if it wasn't so damned expensive. read more

The food was amazing. It is one of the better Izakaya style restaurants we have been to. We had the Lacto Fries with the Anchovy Sauce toss, Korean Fried Chicken Wings, Wagyu Sando, Dumplings, Gohan with onsen egg, pork belly skewer, and chicken thigh skewer. I can confidently say this was an amazing meal with fantastic preparation. Service was great and our waiter was wonderful. The restaurant has an elevated cozy vibe and I loved it! Will 100% be coming back. read more

Came back again for one more try since they opened. We had a bad experience the first time around. We walked in and there were only about 3 tables worth of customers. We asked to place a Togo order and they said they won't do Togo orders on the weekend. Completely understand if they're busy, they clearly weren't. Not sure if we'll be coming back again. read more

Was so looking forward to this to open up. We had a drink each and a snack on a night out after leaving a dinner next door. I have a few pointers that I hope might be considered. Around 8:30p as we walked up the outdoor seating was in the process of breaking down. When I asked why I was told they didn't have a server for outside. On opening week?! You walk in and first thing, you are accosted by an intimidating physical desk and we were asked instantly if we had a reservation. I said I was just looking to get a drink at the bar located at the furthest point in a a narrow space. But was told there was no space. I inquired about outside and a very polite young man who said he was the floor manager sat us outside after I inquired about that. Points to consider: 1. The patio seating creates a very inviting atmosphere and helps to attract potential passing customers- like it is at 1961 next door. 2. The host desk should not be the first thing you walk up to head on. It feels like a dentist office. 3. The bar is so far back, too far back. Nothing like seeing from the sidewalk a beautiful bar display and customers having a good time. It makes people want to join. Structurally it's too late to make this change. 4. But moving the host desk to the front right wall and adding a few more 2 top tables to the left front can give the restaurant some life. Might consider another visit to see if the kinks from opening has been addressed. read more

Loved the ambience and the food! Servers were more than willing to explain all the menu items.