I drove all the way to Livermore to try out their Signature Katsudon. As a Katsudon lover, I am quite particular about how the donburi tastes. Katsudon: Overall Flavor: Like Homemade (9/10) Texture: Pork is a bit tough & quite lean. Breading is lightly crispy. (7/10) Sauce: Light (8/10) Rice: Mid Onion: Soft & cooked Garnish: Simple green onion Saltiness: Mid-Salty Sweetness: Lightly sweet Gyoza: Its like all other Gyozas (kinda oily) Service/Ambiance: Server: Prompt & Friendly. Price: Ok. You order / pay first at the front counter & theyll bring it to your table. Ambiance: Spacious & bright. Mid size seating areas. Parking: Nearby spots are reserved for neighboring businesses. Park at the free parking Livermore Parking building nearby. Short walking distance. Overall, minus the pork leanness, it fits my flavor profile. May come back again if I'm around the area. read more

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We got a gyudon bowl, signature katsu bowl, and the mixed tempura and the only thing we'd get again is the tempura. The good - portions are large and the tempura was fried fresh and was delicious. They also give you free miso soup when you eat in and food came out quickly. The meh - there was too much sauce in the gyudon which made the rice soggy. The katsu was a bit tough and overall things lacked flavor. It has good reviews over all so maybe it just wasn't to our liking or they had a bad day, but we won't be going out of our way to try it again. read more

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Unagi on rice 5stars Mixed tempura 5 stars Udon 4stars, my dad said 5 stars as he ate 95% of it Ambiance 5stars Service from auntie 5stars Cooking from granny 5 stars read more

Cut and pasted from their website: "Kokolo ~ Spirit of Kokolo: Kokolo Philosophy: Kokolo means the heart and mind in Japanese, but it has a much deeper meaning in the culinary world. Donburi is a traditional Japanese rice meal in a bowl. Its origins can be traced back to the Edo period (1600s to 1800s)." Quality/Quantity - The food was good and their quantity was generous, but the prices reflected it. As light eaters, we chose to get an appetizer and two entrees. My daughter wanted us to get 3 entrees, but I am so glad we/I did not listen to her as there would have been NO way we could have eaten all that food. Today we got the following: Takoyaki - 6 pieces. I prefer the inside of my takoyaki cooked more. But I have found that at least 50% of the takoyaki, including in Japan, the insides are soft and almost with raw dough. Just my personal preference for a more well done takoyaki. Pork Katsudon / 蛋ご飯勝ドン - With egg; a signature item. I felt the pork was a little too tough. My wife thought it had too much fat. My daughter really enjoyed this. Beef Sukiyaki Don / 牛丼湯 - With rice, I would have preferred udon ($2 more); next time. Ambiance - Small local restaurant, support local. Not sure if it is 100% family run and I did not ask. One unisex restroom, it could have used a quick sweeping. Very small parking lot. Service - 5 stars. The team was welcoming. Checked up on us a few times. Actually, when my daughter tried to order that 3rd entree, the employee informed us that they have fairly generous quantities. Again, glad we did not order 3 entrees. Price - $45 + tip. A little more expensive than I expected. But as light eaters and if you divide by 3, it is more reasonably priced. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 2015. read more

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First time here, and it was a really good experience. Food is great and the staff is really nice. read more

KoKoLo Donburi - I got the jidori karaage - Japanese Near Me - Livermore, California

Amazing!! My friend and I have been wanting to try this place for so long and we finally made the journey out! And it's such a great location right across from the movie theater and so close to the parking garage. I got the unadon and my friend got the chicken katsu. I didn't realize how big the regular size was! I could have been good with a small, but it was great nonetheless. It was such a large portion of eel, and so flavorful! Plus whatever sauce they use is amazing. Would definitely come back again. :) read more

KoKoLo Donburi - Unadon / 鰻丼 - Japanese Near Me - Livermore, California

Cozy place for pure Japanese comfort food with gracious service To order, you walk up to the counter in front of the door. Once order placed, you find a table and the waitstaff will bring out your food shortly. Food was served quickly and efficiently. The portions were impressive!! The size of the pork katsu was HUGE for a $14 price tag. The mixed tempura had over a dozen pieces!! Not only were the portions huge, everything was delicious. All the fried stuff was perfectly done and not greasy at all. The staff were all so sweet and gracious. They were super patient with our large party of 10 read more

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This is one of my go-to places for a "healthier-ish" option for fast food! Love that the prices are affordable and service is quick. Staff is also very friendly. We like their katsu curry, agedashi tofu, and gyudon. My only gripe is the sauces are a bit too sweet for my liking but overall good value and taste for your money. read more

KoKoLo Donburi - Oyakodon - Chicken & Egg Rice Bowl Curry Chicken Katsudon Rice Bowl Agedashi Tofu - Japanese Near Me - Livermore, California

Went with a group of friends and tried a variety of items on the menu; all are delicious! My favorites are: garlic edamame, mixed tempura, katsu curry (love its curry sauce). The people serving us are super friendly, too. Sure, we ll swing by again. read more

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We drove around looking for a new place to try and we seen KoKoLo Donburi and decided to stop in. The service was great. The food was amazing and we were given a sample of food to try! highly recommend and I'll be back. read more

This is a great place for very reasonably priced Japanese comfort food, things like katsu and yalisoba. I liked their curry katsu and mapu tofu (Japanese style obviously). Friendly service - you order at the counter. Nice big portions. Very relaxed, not fancy at all. Recommended - it hit the spot adter being on the road for several hours. read more

KoKoLo Donburi - Menu - order at the counter - Japanese Near Me - Livermore, California

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If you are looking for fast and delicious Japanese food, KoKoLo Donburi is a great choice. It's not a sushi place. They have dishes with rice like katsu, wagyu beef and unagi. They also have small plates like tempura and gyoza. We ordered: Signature Katsu Don: Delicious with a perfect crunch and not greasy at all. Gyudon: A flavorful bowl of tender Wagyu beef over rice. So good! The service was efficient and quick. The person who helped us was polite and friendly. The place was clean with simple Japanese artwork. Will definitely return when in Livermore. I want to try the sukiyaki! read more

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Very quick service, and very filling. I like the menu cause it has pictures of all the dishes. read more

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First time trying this restaurant out and my family and I were very happy with all of the dishes and appetizers we. Their katsudon pork and chicken is fantastic. We also got their tempura appetizers and that was a solid 10/10. It had asparagus, shrimp, onion rings, sweet potato, and when I was packing it up to go I kept finding new little goodies at the bottom. My youngest daughter had the bbq eel rice bow with steamed rice and she loved it. I tried a piece of her bbq eel and it was scrumptious, super soft and flavorful. The Korean chicken wings had a sensational sauce. As a matter of fact all of the sauces they paired our food with were superb. The potstickers had a wonderful flavored meat filling. Over all this is a fantastic place to eat at. The parking is the only setback. I recommend parking in the neighborhood behind the restaurant. A block or two out has random parking spots. read more

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I've come here a few times whenever I'm in the area for lunch. It's a small / family? business and the ladies behind the counter are so nice and friendly. The food comes out quick and is great. I especially like the katsu - huge portions and super crunchy. Next time, I really want to try their sukiyaki or curry! read more

KoKoLo Donburi - Mapo tofu w udon - Japanese Near Me - Livermore, California

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Found a new favorite lunch Asian spot in downtown Livermore. Everything we ordered was so delicious. Our lunch came with a bowl of miso soup. Generous portion easily shareable with reasonable price. The service was super friendly, helpful and fast. Order in the counter and they will deliver your food. I already can't wait to return! read more

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Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 My first time in this area of Livermore and it was definitely worth trying. The staff were really nice and helpful with their recommendations. I would definitely come back here. read more

KoKoLo Donburi - Japanese Near Me - Livermore, California

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Outstanding service. Great food! The lady at the counter was very friendly and gave me free ice cream for my birthday. Very clean restaurant and diverse menu. read more

Food is super yummy and the staff is very friendly!! Decor is also very nice looking and clean. Looking forward to coming back again!!!

Craving Japanese curry, miso salad and mixed tempura but don't want to drive too far? This spot has you covered! Great food, friendly service, and a relaxed, casual dining vibe. Parking can be a little tight since the lot is small, but there's always street parking nearby. Definitely worth the stop! read more

This review is far past due. I've been here a few times with my husband and we've also ordered it to go. You get a LOT of food with your order, which I love because I LOVE leftovers. My personal favorite is their signature, Katsu Don (both pork and chicken are great and I don't think I can decide which is better). Their Katsu Curry Don and Mapu Tofu Don are two others that I love as well. That curry sauce is excellent. What I did really want to point out and why I'm really writing the review is that the staff is amazing and so very kind. I came in while I was pregnant as I was CRAVING one of these bowls. Unfortunately, their credit card system was acting up and there was quite a delay. The staff member who helped me was so upset that she was delaying my order and I tried so hard to portray that I wasn't upset in any way. I feel like her and I were going back and forth with the "I'm sorrys" - it was probably comical to anyone else. When we finally got it all together, she apologized maybe a million more times and gave me some free soup (which she ABSOLUTELY didn't have to do). Anyway, this is literally from so long ago (my daughter is almost 16 months now) but I wanted to just tell everyone how great this place is :) read more

A downtown favorite for whenever I'm craving a comfort meal. Always great service with attentive staff. I'm a sucker for their katsu curry don and ika gesso karaage too if I'm feeling extra hungry. Great place to visit before/ after a movie since it's right across the street from Livermore Cinemas. read more

KoKoLo Donburi - Ika gesso karaage - Japanese Near Me - Livermore, California

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we absolutely love their Katsu Curry Don! So flavorful delicious and comforting at the same time. Warm and friendly service. Made us feel so welcome and at home. Will definitely return, this will definitely be our new go to spot. read more

KoKoLo Donburi - Japanese Near Me - Livermore, California

Service: The woman who took my order is an angel! She was super kind and warm, and her positive energy was contagious. My interaction with her made my day, even if it was a small moment. Food: The food was amazing! I ordered the unagi tempura and the oyakodon. The unagi tempura was perfect -- it was so crisp and juicy, and the sauce that came with it was delicious. The oyakodon was very flavorful and comforting. I wish I lived closer so I could order from here more! Ambiance: Right when I entered, I heard them playing YOASOBI on their sound system, and I felt instantly welcome and energized hearing the music. I got takeout, so I didn't eat at the restaurant, but I feel that I would have had a great time eating here considering the amazing service and the fun and familiar music. :) I did not take any pictures, unfortunately (I devoured the tempura unagi haha). read more

Wow! The reviews are for real. Excellent lunch experience today. Friendly service (Jenny) x great Japanese street food quality. Loved to tonkatsu curry with noodles and misu soup. Nice artwork to give you a reflection of being in Osaka, Tokyo, etc. I'll be back! read more

Food portion was generous, tonkatsu curry was juicy, fresh and piping hot. We also got a regular sized unagi don with plenty of rice and roasted eel. Squid karaage was well fried with a light batter. Was pleasantly surprised by this location in downtown Livermore, next time we come up would try again! read more

Absolutely amazing food. I got the Chicken Katsu Don and am stuffed. I couldn't finish the meal it was so big. Came out super fast. They also really take care of their customers. At one point a girl with her father were chatting with the staff. They ended up giving her a free soda. Great food and customer service. Coming back soon to try other meals. I'll be bringing my kids next time. read more

Five stars all around. I got the beef stir fry udon bowl with a beer and it was exactly what I needed--comforting, flavorful, and just the right portion. Tried the chicken curry too and the flavor was packed in every bite. Cozy vibes and the service was an absolute sweetheart. Perfect spot for a chill, satisfying dinner. read more

KoKoLo Donburi - Stir-Fry Udon Bowl - Japanese Near Me - Livermore, California

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This is the very best Kokolo restaurant I have gone to. The restaurant is exceptional clean and the size of the restaurant is very very spacious. Now let's talk about the delicious food. I ordered mix tempura. It was nicely fried, crispy and not greasy. We had a new appetizer on the menu which was siu mai with a mix salad with a yuzu sauce. It was so good I asked the hostess what type of sauce is this. She said it was a secret dressing. For the entrees, we had stir fried beef udon which was quite scrumptious. It was actually wagyu beef and the noodle was cooked al dente. The flavor was just right and not salty. The best was the unagi don. That was the star of our dinner. Large portion of unagi and a proportional amount of rice. It was flavored well with a little bit of sweetness. Also, the presentation of all the food was exceptional. They even offer many flavors of UJI TIME ice cream which is individual cups of ice cream. Lastly, the hostess is very pleasant to all the customers and ask each table if everything is ok and if there is anything else I can do for you. I will return to Livermore kokolo and recommend to all my friends and family. So, if you are by Livermore or even shopping in the outlets, come by and say hi to Janny. read more

KoKoLo Donburi - Uji time ice cream - Japanese Near Me - Livermore, California

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Very nice environment. Plenty of seating. Very friendly people. You order & pay before you sit. We ordered the Signature Chicken Katsu Don w/ egg & spicy edamame. Both things came out pretty fast. When our meal came out, we realized it wasn't the curry katsu rice plate we were craving. We asked if we can buy a side of curry. The lady was super nice & brought us each a bowl (bless her soul!) the curry really changed the meal & made it 10x better (maybe because that's what we were craving but it was yummy regardless). The katsu slices were thick, the thickest I've seen chicken katsu. It was meaty, not dry at all and was perfectly cooked. The spicy edamame wasn't something I was used to, it has a different type of spice/pepper taste. It's not bad, just different from what I'm used to. Overall, very yummy place! Would def come back if I was in the area :) read more

KoKoLo Donburi - Signature Chicken Katsu & Spicy edamame - Japanese Near Me - Livermore, California

This place is so gross. Found hair in my food! When I called to return it they didn't seem very surprised

I went on a Monday around 6pm for dinner with a friend! There is limited parking next to the building but a very close walk from the downtown Livermore parking lot. The food here is super underrated. I got the Unagi Don, size small. The portions are HUGEEE (see pic). The food is simple, comforting, and delicious. The staff is super nice :). read more

KoKoLo Donburi - Calamari - Japanese Near Me - Livermore, California

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Ordering on Yelp is easy. The ladies at the counter were friendly & our order was ready a little bit before our pickup time. The chicken katsu is very crispy. I love how it came with rice, curry sauce, and miso soup. I forgot the name of the noodle dish we bought, but the udon noodles are cooked to my liking. The texture was perfect, and the flavor was delicious. I would recommend this place. read more

KoKoLo Donburi - Japanese Near Me - Livermore, California

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very kind staff, great food n good prices my fav is the stir fry udon it's satisfyingly chewy read more

KoKoLo Donburi - Katsudon / 蛋ご飯勝ドン - Japanese Near Me - Livermore, California

I had a great lunch experience here while at work last week. The Miso soup is fantastic with plenty of Tofu, green onion, and seaweed. The chicken teriyaki was very good and a sizeable portion as shown in the photos. The restaurant was very clean and I was lucky to get the last open table. What made it really good though? The service from the lady who works the register and delivers the food as each customer orders directly at the counter and pays there too. I did not know she would bring the food to the table and she was very nice and checked in with me during the meal to ensure everything was fine. I can think of some full service restaurants that should take lessons from this lady. read more

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I hate to bag on this place because it is consistent. However if you want Japanese food this ain't it. No one speaks Japanese in the restaurant. The food has a bent that is away from Japanese food. I would really like them to do better, OR, just say Japanese-like food read more

I've visited the Milpitas location a few times, so I decided to give this location a try. The ambiance here feels quite cozy and inviting. The staff was friendly and did a good job of making you feel welcomed. The mixed tempura was one of the highlights for me. It was perfectly crispy and could not detect any sogginess even after you dip it into the tempura dipping sauce. The portions were generous well adjusted for the price, which is always a plus.I also got the Wagyu Curry Don. The flavor had a great umami depth, where you can taste the richness of the Wagyu with a nice blend of spice and sweetness from the curry. I can warn you it's a hefty meal because I couldn't finish it in one sitting. Since it is getting chilly as winter is slowly creeping on us, you should come here if you want to look for something satisfying and comforting without breaking the bank. read more

Realizing I forgot to take pictures! We came here on a Sunday afternoon, 4 adults and 1 toddler. We were seated right away but you order and pay first at the front before settling in. They got a high chair right away and engaged the toddler very sweetly. We got the uni don, sukiyaki don, pork katsu curry don, stir fry noodle, spicy garlic edamame and calamari. Everything tastes delicious and came out quickly. Definitely would revisit! read more

Came here on a Sunday around 7:30pm and it wasn't busy!! I have tried many different katsu places and KoKoLo Donburi was just alright in my opinion. Food: Chicken Katsu Curry: 4/5 Curry could have been a bit more flavorful, but I did enjoy the carrots and potatoes inside! The katsu was crispy and tasty, but the meat felt a bit overcooked? Or just like it was precooked and refried when served. I liked the pickles a lot though! Takoyaki: 5/5 Good deal when you check in with Yelp! Very crispy and was very hot and fresh when we were served. I liked it even though I don't typically like to eat takoyaki :-) Service: Really great service! Super kind and friendly cashiers/servers. Ambiance: Very clean inside. They play music and it's not too loud. Pricing: $ A good amount of food for a reasonable price. Around $15 per person. Parking: Honestly so hard to find parking in Downtown Livermore, despite it being not that busy. Would maybe come back to munch... The donburi looks like it would be yummy! read more

KoKoLo Donburi - Curry Chicken Katsu (Curry on side) - Japanese Near Me - Livermore, California

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If there's a subcategory for Americanized Japanese food, Kokolo Donburi would fall under it. This humble, comforting, and affordable Bay Area chain will surely fill you up. My Dad and I came here for dinner on a weekend. The restaurant is decently sized with tables and booths, silly Japanese-inspired artwork, and a quiet atmosphere. The menu is displayed in the front and on the counter which has small plates, rice bowls, and noodle dishes. It was overwhelming, but the lady working provided wonderful recommendations to us. She was cheery, friendly, and sweet, making our experience much better. Even warned us the portions were massive, but we didn't listen haha. Our items came out quite hot and speedy--it's a popular spot to take out too. For dinner, my Dad ordered the Katsu Curry Don. I had a bite and the katsu was thick and crispy. The curry tasted like typical Japanese curry--nothing special. I ordered the Mapo Tofu Don with Chicken. It was sweet, savory, salty, and saucy. The pieces of chicken were bite-sized and there was lots of tofu. We also shared Takoyaki which was saucy, battery, and had a small bit of octopus. It was average at best but we got it through the Yelp Check-In deal, as well as a complimentary Miso Soup from the nice lady. The portions are giant and takeout boxes are necessary. If you're in the mood for a simple, comforting, and well-priced meal then Kokolo Donburi in Downtown Livermore is a great option! We appreciated the attentive and kind service and substantial food. Parking is convenient in the free Livermore Parking Garage and a straight shot to the restaurant off First Street. With my Dad living in Livermore, I can tell this place will be on our rotation. read more

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