The small plates are great for sharing, especially the yakitori and appetizers, which are flavorful and well-prepared. Food comes out fresh and pairs well with their drink selection. Service is generally friendly, though it can slow down a bit when it's busy. Overall, a nice spot for a laid-back meal with good comfort-style Japanese food. read more

My friend and I decided to venture out of favorite sushi places and decided to try something new. We decided on Izakaya and while it was hard to get a reservation beforehand you literally call a few minutes when they open (which is pointless), but, I still got it because this place gets packed for dinner. The restaurant is small and somehow they are able to pack a few tables in for guests. Luckily, I did make that reservation and we both got there before opening (5:30pm) so we beat the rush hour dinner time. We were promptly seated and they took our drink and asked if we were ready. We were busy catching up and weren't ready and they came twice and so we just decided the bento box because we were both hungry. While the bento looked smaller than others I've been to. The quality was there and the food was just perfect. I really enjoyed the food at Izakaya. The sashimi cuts of ahi tuna is amazing, while not as big as others that are non-traditional Japanese restaurants. I love the quality and the food they offer. My friend and I both got a bento box and everything was delicious. The servers do come in and check on you regularly which I appreciated and they are really quick to get the food to you. Overall, I enjoyed the food and service and I would definitely come here and make sure I'm first in line! read more

Izakaya - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

pros: -loved what we ordered, esp the chicken katsu curry -fast service -lots to choose from on the menu -medium sized restaurant, with tables for groups and individuals -cozy vibes cons: -parking is good read more

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We got grilled pork belly, beef tongue with salt and sesame oil, and katsu. The pork belly was crispy and flavorful. The beef tongue is the best I've had in the USA. read more

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Upping my review to 5 stars, this place is a true San Jose gem! There's not many places in SJ where you can walk in almost every night (with just a small wait most times), even relatively late at night (they close at 10:30 PM), and get legit and fresh Japanese food from an extensive menu. They have such a huge variety to satisfy any appetite, whether it's something casual and hearty like a curry or combo box, to perfect drinking food like skewers and small plates, to freshly made sushi and sashimi of many varieties. All paired with a cold beer or sake. It's a small place to prepared to be cozy, but it just adds to the old school mom and pop charm. Always ask for kizami wasabi for your sushi! read more

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Yummy great food traditional Japanese food many dishes one cannot find here in Cali. Will be back. read more

Izakaya - Yummy - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

The menu is extensive so it may be a good idea to look ahead before you visit or know what you want. I say this because this place is a bit on the pricier side and everything sounds good so you might decide on some things and realize there may have been better options. At least that's what it was for me. I found the miso soup and salad to be bland and one dimensional. It may be perfect for you if you don't eat much salt. The inside of the restaurant is very small and pretty cramped if you're a larger person. The food is pretty decent and feels more authentic compared to your run of the mill Japanese restaurant. The service could use some improvement although it wasn't terrible. We were sat at the back corner of the sushi bar and the woman who took our order was curt. She also forgot to bring us water or do anything else besides constantly pushing another chair closer to me when she came by. Another server ended up taking care of us. Everyone could try and be more warm and friendly. read more

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Authentic Japanese food in Japantown. I always order their Sushi Boat B tray which has the best variety of sushi including toro, amaebi, ikura, and other assorted sushi at one of the best prices that I know of. In the pictures, we always have unagi, California roll, and ikura separate because we have someone with a gluten allergy. I love their takoyaki and okonomiyaki, so you have to try at least one! Udons are great and bentos also. Their restaurant is quite small so come before they open or you'll probably have to wait as there is a line on the weekends and even at opening time. So I usually order takeout and they usually put in a nice sushi tray as seen in the pics. read more

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A small place which does get crowded. The food was ok, nothing I found impressive. Service was kinda slow. Probably won't be willing to wait in line for it. read more

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Delicious and fresh. Their sushi is the best in the area and their cooked food is just as good. If you like rolls I highly recommend the spicy scallop roll. So good! read more

Izakaya - Spicy tuna, spicy scallop and natto rolls - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

It was a bit tricky to find. Enter the building that looks like it is for genji. There is a doorway on the left for the restaurant. The food came out very fast. My boyfriend loved everything we ordered. His favorite item was the takoyaki. We didn't try a bento this time but other customers sounded like they really enjoyed it. Will have to try it next time. read more

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Late night cravings = order everything From appetizers, to entrees, to alcohol, and dessert Food and drinks will come out quickly and servers are very attentive. Decors literally made me feel like I was in Japan Best izakaya spot in sj read more

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Tucked away on the left as you walk into Genji, this spot is small and hidden but absolutely worth it. It took me years to finally try it, and now it's one of my top sushi picks. The fish is super fresh, and the menu doesn't disappoint. read more

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One of the best and freshest sushi I've ever had in the bay! Ordered: - Tempura Appetizer (Not pictured) - Beef Tongue Shio - Rainbow Roll - Toro Nigiri Everything here is soo good. Tempura was crispy, hot and perfect amount of breading. Tempura sauce was also the perfect amount of flavor to it. Beef tongue was great too - tender and wasn't overly seasoned. Toro just melts in your mouth! Sooo sad it was gone in just one bite. Plus fish on the rainbow roll was so fresh and soft, quality reminded me of the ones you can find in Japan and Hawaii. Food is expensive but worth the price! The restaurant itself is very small so wait times can be high, but apparently they take reservations over the phone. Despite that, we waited around 30 minutes for a Friday night. read more

Izakaya - Beef tongue shio - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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The sushi was amazing, all of it seemed very authentic. The miso soup, sushi, sashimi, and nigiri were all good. I don't believe there was anything we didn't like. The device was also very good, the people there were very sweet and attentive. read more

Izakaya - Sashimi Trio (12) - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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We enjoyed our first meal at this small, bustling Izakaya. Everything was well prepared. We enjoyed tsukemono (Japanese pickles), ohitashi (spinach), shio saba (salt mackerel), shio gyutan (salt beef tongue), blistered shishito peppers, takoyaki, agedashi mochi, and nankotsu karaage (fried chicken cartilage). Friendly, efficient service. Expect a wait during busy times. read more

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Been wanting to bring my family here. We came on a Saturday night so it was busy. Didn't have a reservation so we waited for quite a while. The food the fresh. Food is flavorful and fresh. Their sashimi is okay. They could be better. Was gonna give them 4/5 stars but the uni was fantastic. It melts in your mouth. Even though the sashimi wasn't what I expected but everything else covered for the 5th star. Chicken gristle and onigiris added a bit of warmth into ours meal. Their miso soup (I didn't take a picture) was delicious. Not salty in msg like other places. Oyster shooters were so fresh we ordered 2 times. Scallop is a must tried if you likes something a but sweeter in seasoning. Monkfish liver was such a new experience for us but it didn't let us down. Staffs were nice and efficient. Super small and crowded spot. Parking is quite tricky. Overall, such an amazing experience. Will definitely come back for more. read more

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my favourite izakaya spot, i got to sit at the bar this time around and i brought my boyfriend to put him on. the quality is so good especially for the price and variety! the service was very good and quick and i 100% recommend the oyster shooters not slimey or oceany but refreshing and lemony very good vibes and a perfect date night spot read more

Izakaya - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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I wish I could eat here everyday. I've been coming to Izaka-ya for a few years now and have put my close friends on this place. We're obsessed with the food and quality that's served here. The restaurant is located besides House of Genji in this small strip of restaurants. The parking lot is next to the building and can get really busy in the evenings, especially weekends. Inside is cozy and compact; very much izakaya vibes. The service is always so quick and you get to watch the sushi chefs at the bar. Food: - Sushi: Always fresh and handled with care. It's simple and just right. My go-to is sushi boat B if there's two or more people with me, but honestly I'd eat it all if I could. You get a variety of different nigiri, rolls, maki, and sashimi. They do California rolls like no other. It melts in your mouth and there's no strong cream cheese taste. 10/10 -Takoyaki: Also my go-to order each time. Crunchy exterior with a soft and extremely hot interior. You know it's good when you burn your tongue and it's not too mushy inside. Good amount of umami flavor with octopus bits. 10/10 - Beef tongue shio: Another staple in my order. Juicy, tender, perfectly grilled, and flavorful. 10/10 - Kitsune udon (not pictured): A soup you must get on a chilly day. The udon is bouncy and at a right level of chewiness. The dashi broth is flavorful with umami that's soaked into the fried tofu pouch. 10/10 - Fried Calamari: Crunchy batter and the calamari isn't chewy like rubber. Nicely seasoned and pairs well with the tartar/mayo sauce. 8/10 - Skewers: Asparagus bacon (8/10), enoki bacon (9/10), scallops and asparagus (7/10) too saucy for me - Okonomiyaki (not pictured): Very large portion which got soggy fast and the batter was a lot as well. 6/10 - Uni oyster shots (not pictured): Very interesting texture (a bit slimy from oyster) paired with soy sauce. 6/10 - Takowasa (not pictured): The umami and wasabi pairs well together, but has a very strong kick. The green onions balance it out. 7/10 - Deep fried soft shelled crab (not pictured): Similar batter to calamari. The crab was extremely soft and had a bit of sweetness. 8/10 Psa: It's a small restaurant so reservations will save you soooo much time. There's always a line to the door. read more

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Great food, fast service but maybe it's cause we came in at closing time . Sashimi was good and everything was good. Would come back since it closes later than most sushi places :) read more

Izakaya - Salmon Sashimi Plate (10) & Seared Salmon Nigiri / sides of rice & miso soup - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

Cozy little izakaya that satisfies the cravings for just about anything! The restaurant is quite tight, so come with a small party (4 people or less). The menu has a ton of dishes to try. The takoyaki and California roll from a combo were my faves. Fish quality didn't taste that fresh for the nigiri, might've been an off day. I'll be back to try other dishes and give the sushi another go! NEGI MAYO TAKOYAKI: 5/5 ($8) + MUST try! So crispy and satisfying but still pillowy soft on the inside. Not soggy at all even with the sauces + Good amount of octopus with each bite SEAFOOD TEMPURA: 4.25/5 ($18) + Batter is airy, and the dipping sauce was good! + 5pcs of seafood were delicious! It included scallop, fish, squid, and shrimp - we loved all of it + 5pcs of veggies were a mixed bag, with broccoli, bell pepper, carrot, asparagus, and squash SY COMBO: 3.5/5 ($30) + Good bang for your buck as it comes with 3pcs of salmon nigiri, 3pcs of yellowtail nigiri and 6pcs of the roll + California roll was amazing (this was a 5/5 alone). MUST try if you order it separately. The crab was so flavorful with the buttery avocado + The salmon and yellowtail nigiri were alright. Fish didn't taste that fresh but wasn't fishy tasting SPICY SCALLOP ROLL: 3/5 ($9) + Scallop quality tasted great! I'd get this non-spicy though because it didn't taste like spicy mayo but sriracha instead read more

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What a cool little hidden gem! Seriously, if you did not know where you were going, you'd think you were lost. It's in the same building as House of Genji, just go to the left when you walk in. The fact that they close at 11 is a big bonus!!! I arrived late and after checking into my hotel, and running a few errands, it was 10 pm. Friendly greeting, I was given a seat at the sushi bar. I didn't want to eat heavy, though I could've because whatever was cooking when I sat down smelled sooooo good! I ordered an eel roll and a trio of sashimi: salmon, ahi, and I think hamachi...whatever it was, it was soooooo melt in your mouth tender! Everything was delicious and hit the spot! I also had a Sapporo draft. The staff is really friendly! I wasn't hurried, I felt I could've kept ordering but it was late and I just needed something to take off the hunger edge. Great place to come to! Not sure about the parking lot, so I parked on the street. read more

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Got take out yakisoba for dinner while staying nearby. The noodles were tasty and there was a generous amount of meat. The serving size was very large and I couldn't finish it. The only down side was that they didn't include chop sticks or a fork. read more

Really cute and cozy Japanese izakaya. Food was all tasty and authentic. Ordered the negitoro roll, chicken nanban, salmon ochazuke, and the salmon sashimi bento. Fish tasted high quality and chicken was juicy. The California roll was also surprisingly good, I'll definitely be back to try more of the dishes. read more

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You might get lost if you've never been to this area, but this shop is in the same entryway as House of Genji. Just enter the doors and it should be the shop to your left with a cramped hallway. There is also a parking lot just a few steps from the strip. Very very fresh ingredients!! The dishes are made on the spot, at the bar and it's such a delight. My mom and I came in on a Friday night around 9pm, but we called ahead and were told it would be a 30 minute wait - which turned out to be perfect because that was just about our commute, and by the time we got there, we were now first on the very long waitlist. Beat the line and call ahead if you're in the area! Our favorite dishes were the oyster shots ($5 each, must get) and nigiri pieces (sake and eel, each serving comes with 2 nigiri). Clams and skewers (skewers come as 1 each) were also great, as well as the mackerel. We picked a variety of dishes and they were all good - I might skip out on the soft-shell crab next time though, it was just a bit small for our preference. This is definitely a hole in the wall shop (albeit popular!), with quality ingredients and an extensive menu. read more

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This place is legit bc I heard the employees speaking Japanese. I ordered the sushi bento box, and it was fantastic! It came with fresh sushi, perfectly crispy tempura, flavorful miso soup, and a refreshing salad. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. read more

Izakaya - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

One of the few authentic Japanese owned restaurants left. It's all about the sushi here. Everyone speaks Japanese. read more

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Food took forever it came out all at random times the 1st time only one persons food came out and then the rest of the dishes took well over 30 minutes and when it got to the table it was cold. We had to remind the server to bring coffee we order and that too forever too, I get it was busy but she was just standing around not doing anything while all the other staff were rushing. Definitely don't see myself coming back. Overall it was expensive for mediocre food and awful service. (Also music is blaring and not a good place to talk to those you're with) read more

My favorite hole in the wall Japanese izakaya! The authenticity is really there, I always feel like I'm back in Japan whenever I go to this place. From their extensive menu to the fresh, good quality ingredients for the price, you can't find any other than this one right here. You know the Japanese food is always going to be good when it's ran and owned by a Japanese family. I highly recommend getting their sushi boats if you're feeling adventurous and can't decide on what kind of sushi you want. For fried stuff, I really love their Nagoya fried chicken. It's perfectly seasoned and crispy with a slight soy sauce and zesty hint to it. For the perfect little treat at the end, you have to get their fried dorayaki (Japanese red bean filling pancake). It's like a deconstructed parfait. I highly advise you to come early because this place fills up really quickly. read more

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Izakaya is a pretty small and a bit cramped restaurant, but I did appreciate their food and service. It stays open until 11 PM on weekdays, so it's actually one of the rare restaurants to be open that late, making it a very decent choice. Their bento boxes are reasonably priced for the amount of food they come with. The teriyaki chicken was flavorful and delicious. The veggie tempura was crisp and freshly fried, and their sushi was also very delectable. The chicken katsu is also a very good option to order. I enjoyed the crispiness and flavor of the breading. The salad dressing was amazing - I don't normally eat salad, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Their service was actually fast, and the staff were very attentive. They refilled our cups with water even before asking, and always came to our table to ask if we needed anything, despite the restaurant being filled with customers that evening. read more

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My SO suggested this restaurant and it is allright. We selected many sushi dishes, different beef tongue flavors, a sushi boat, bento boxes, chirashi bowls and okonomiyaki. The okonomiyaki is the best I have had in the states and this place is perfect for large groups. They had a large group waiting by the time it was 6:30pm. The food is great for a late night out with lots of alcohol. The food quality is decent and it is a bit hard to find this location. It was a nice place to try out all the dishes and their best dish was easily their beef tongue. Sushi is a pass. read more

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Came here for our valentines dinner and it was such a good dinner. This place is small so it gets busy and wait is long but luckily we beat the rush and didn't have to wait too long to be seated. The service was really good and the waiter was very attentive to us We ordered sake and the waiter helped us pick between our options. I also got an oyster shooter which is one of their popular items and it was so yummy! It has a qual egg yolk inside that complimented the oyster very nicely. For dinner, we shared an appetizer and I learned the sushi bento box, which was very filling. All the sushi was fresh and the food came out really fast. read more

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A very small/cramped dining space indeed, you wouldn't like it if you're claustrophobic. The Alaskan roll is one of their most popular salmon rolls but it's underwhelming. I'd skip the salmon skin salad, for $15, my husband and I could only describe it as weird. The soft shell crab was extremely disappointing--super small and hardly any crab meat, skip this one too. I usually love salmon skin rolls but I didn't like the ones here at all. Surprisingly, the eel roll was my favorite and I would order that again but really don't see myself coming back. Everything was on the pricey side for such small portions. Also, we didn't like the service and felt very rushed to order. read more

Date of Interaction: 2024-01-18 TL;DR: - Actual rating: 4.2/5 - Rounded rating: 4/5 - An intimate and authentic-feeling izakaya with a pretty decent Osaka-style okonomiyaki. Food: - Okonomiyaki (4/5): The okonomiyaki was served nice and fresh and had good flavor; while it felt a little bit batter-heavy for me, that might just be me finding out I like Hiroshima-style more than Osaka-style where the toppings are mixed together (essentially it was kind of like a giant flat takoyaki). The portion was also huge--big enough for two meals. I'll have to try the buta variety next time. - Saba Nigiri (4/5): There was a good balance between the savory richness of the fish's fattiness and flavor and the vinegar's acidity. The texture of the flesh also didn't feel frozen or "overcooked" by the vinegar. Service: - Attentiveness & Relatability (4/5): There was some miscommunication, as I ordered the fresh saba but was given the regular saba instead and later learned they ran out of fresh saba. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on this, and the regular saba nigiri was still good. Also, the waitresses were super friendly and attentive. - Wait (4/5): They seem to expect reservations, but I came at a time that wasn't busy so was quickly seated. Food came out within a reasonably expected amount of time. Ambiance: - Space (4/5): The space is intimate with an interior that's nicely designed and aesthetic. The downside is that the intimacy of the space (it's smaller than I was expecting!) can result in people watching and waiting through the glass panes for a table to open up, which may feel a little bit uncomfortable for some. - Noise (5/5): I don't recall background music, but the restaurant fills up rather quickly so conversations are the ambient noise here, which I enjoy in a bustling dining establishment. read more

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Tried out this place for dinner on a weekday and got their buta okonomiyaki! My party got the salmon sashimi and bento box. All their food is made very fresh and hot, and generally tastes pretty good. Portions, presentation and service were good as well. The location is small and intimate, with a bar section and several 4-person tables, with total capacity around 25 people. I came around 6 so there was no wait, but I can see this place having a wait on weekends or later times. The place can be difficult to find since the sign is not obvious. There is a large parking lot on the side with signs for a Chinese place and Genji. The entrance and address for both Izakaya and Genji seem to be the same, so when you enter at the street-side entrance, Izakaya will be directly on the left (do not go straight upon entering towards the counter for Genji). read more

Izakaya - Buta Okonomiyaki - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

We have been coming here for years. Great little restaurant right next to Genji on N 1st Street. There is a large parking lot close by. It has bright lights in the lot. So, it is safer. Also, there is a smaller lot on the backside by Sushi Kan Restaurant. The service was great. All the waitstaff are friendly, helpful, and attentive. Yaki Onigiri (plain): Grilled rice ball brushed with soy sauce. Usually , we get it with salmon flakes, but we wanted to try the plain one. This was just ok. We are used to it being deep fried, and the outside of the rice is crunchy. The takuwan added a saltiness. Miso Soup - standard. Side of Pork Tonkatsu: Deep fried panko crusted pork loin. This was crunchy and had a great fry to it. Unfortunately, the pork was overdone. Green Salad: Iceberg lettuce, julienned carrot, cooked noodles, sesame seeds in a light dressing. This was different and good. California Roll: Sushi Rice, Nori, Imitation crab stick and avocado. This is your no frills roll. Standard. Salmon Sashimi Bento Box: 7 piece salmon sashimi, 2 pc shrimp, 3 pc vegetable tempura, plus side choices, and steamed rice. I chose the chicken teriyaki and the salmon teriyaki. First off, the salmon sashimi was fresh, but they were thin slices. The fry on the tempura was good. It was light, crispy, and not oily. Both the dark meat chicken and the salmon were overcooked and a bit dry. I'll chalk it up to they were just too busy tonight, and they left if on the grill a bit long. I've had the bentos before, so I know it's not always like this. This restaurant has the decorations and the feel of actually being in Japan. A lot of Japanese businessmen frequent this restaurant in the past. read more

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Amazing Japanese finger food! I loved their okinimyaki and grilled sweet shrimp! Came here on a weeknight and was surprised there was a wait. The shop small is small and looks like it's owned by a small mom and pop. Food and service were amazing and I'd definitely come back! Very fun environment to catch up with friends or coworkers. read more

This was the perfect place to have a semi casual dinner with friends. The interior is quite small, so expect to be seated closely with others, but the intimate setting also means that you will likely be served quickly with super fresh food. This was my first time trying okonomiyaki, and my friend raved that it tasted just like the dish that she had in Japan. It was delicious and a great, very filling appetizer to share. I ordered the chicken teriyaki plate, which had absolutely huge portions and lasted me through lunch and dinner the following day. Everyone else also raved about the food, both in terms of flavor and portion size. I will definitely be coming back - their menu is super extensive, almost overwhelming, And I'm sure there are a ton of additional delicious items that I need to try! read more

Izakaya - Okonomiyaki - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Really love this small restaurant! Great food and well priced. I love getting the sushi bento box, it's a great deal for the amount of food you get. Portions are good. Always get the okonomiyaki, it's so good. Staff is kind. Only recommend going here with a small group since seating is very limited and tight. read more

Izakaya - oyster shooters - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

This is a really special restaurant. I have been here twice for dinner. Someday I'd like to go back for their omakase. Sushi here is delicious. Dragon roll is fresh, tasty, and has good texture. Their salmon sashimi is fresh and fatty. I could eat a whole platter!! Their okonomiyaki is also so tasty!! I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it once. I'm glad my friend ordered it and I got to try it the first time I went. I made sure to order it when I came back my second time. I tried both the octopus and pork belly, and I liked both. Can't pick a favorite between the two. The yakiudon (beef and veggie udon) was good but would rank lowest on the things I've tried here because I wasn't excited to finish the leftovers. Not pictured: chicken skewers. Tasty! Not usually a big skewer person, I ended up liking it more than I thought I would. The restaurant is pretty tiny. Both times I went, it was a weekday night and I didn't have to wait over 5 minutes either time. I would highly recommend Izakaya!! Great place to get sushi, and it is so fun trying new dishes here. They have a pretty big menu, but I've enjoyed everything I've tried here. I would definitely recommend trying at least one new thing on the menu here. You won't be disappointed. read more

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