It's a cute little place seating maybe 15 people, including two tables outside on the sidewalk. Friendly service. Short menu. Ordered up a portion each of the vegetable gyoza and the chicken & shrimp gyoza. Both delicate and delicious, the fillings fresh and tasty. The ponzu sauce has a really nice smokiness to it. I'd have actually been happy just stopping there.
Decided to order a bowl of udon. Disappointing - first off, those aren't udon noodles (oh hey, there's a topic for my next Ingredients 101), they're ordinary spaghetti, and they're doused in soy sauce and tossed with some cherry tomatoes, barely warm slices of bacon, and bits of chicken and beef. Little to no flavor. Was also a bit disappointed in the sake offering - which on the menu is touted as "imported from Japan". It was an okay but rather heavy sake, and when I asked to see the bottle, it turned out to be Sake Yaegaki, which is made in Vernon, California. I don't know if they just saw some Japanese characters on the label and thought it was Japanese, or if they know and just hope no one will notice or ask to see the bottle. Overall, I'd go back for the dumplings, and someone at the next table had ordered up a rather good looking okonomiyaki, the traditional Japanese pancake/pizza topped with all sorts of stuff - I'd try that. A little pricey - two plates of 5 gyoza each, a bowl of noodles, and a sake came in at over 400 pesos. read more