I was disappointed with the food. First the name difference (Ramen USA) on Yelp compared to their…read morewebsite and Google maps kinda threw us off. There's also discrepancy in their menu and what they actually have available as it seems they also display items for the the cafe next door. We happened to arrive during happy hour so some menu items were discounted. They also have a complimentary salad bar. We ordered chicken karaage, potstickers, salmon avocado sushi, and I had the katsu sandwich. All the food items we ordered came separately over a span of 20+ minutes, with the sandwich arriving last and cold. Not only did the sandwich come on a cold sourdough bread, the meat also had an unusual texture and so I ended up throwing it out. The other items we ordered were lacking in flavor. The chicken karaage was prepared well but it had no flavor. I'm regret spending money at this establishment.

If customers are waiting before the restaurant opens, you know that you are in for a treat, right?…read moreI mean, this was our first time to Uma Japan Eatery (didn't know it was formerly Ramen USA) and we were a little confused when we arrived because there was signage for Uma, Ramen USA, and M Cafe. So we got out of the car and saw someone pull up in front of the restaurant and jump out at 11:59. As soon as the door was unlocked at 12pm, this customer went in, and a few others after them. This is a small joint, and it was already half full by the time we ordered, then sat down (they told us the table at which to sit). I didn't know, but asked, and found out that a salad bar and miso soup are also included. The salad bar was pretty decent, with fresh vegs. They even had French fried onions (my guilty pleasure) and a very good House dressing (ginger vinaigrette). The portions are enormous. The couple next to us got ramen, and it was practically overflowing. We ordered takoyaki (too much food, we didn't need). I had the Pork Katsu bowl and my companion had a Katsu curry. I wished I had ordered the curry -- it looked dark and rich and thick like pudding (not like a boxed curry). They also gave us a bonus piece of chicken karaage which was so large and crispy. I think I'll get the curry next time, or the ramen. We originally came because we were going to get a karaage sando, but get the curry.

Wow. I found myself…read morein Arlington Heights, and my buddy suggested this place due to an upcoming trip to Japan in 2027. It's a Japanese market that features an amazing food court (and this is where I spent all my time.) I don't recall the name of the stall I purchased from. But I can tell you it was quick, not expensive and very filling. I had a bowl with beef and noodles; for dessert I hit the matcha dessert stall for some matcha and vanilla ice cream. The whole place meal me feel like I was dining outside the state of Illinois. The service from everyone in the market was very friendly and they even had a sake/soju tasting by the front door (and the vendors allowed you try was much as you wanted.) I highly recommend this spot

If you love Japanese culture, food, and want to visit a neat place and kind of feel like you are…read morevisiting Japan, you need to visit Mitsuwa! Not only is there a food court of different Japanese restaurants to try, there is also a grocery store, bakery, bookstore, and stores that sell ice cream, traditional desserts, as well as crepes and boba tea! My family and I visit here often every year and we like to try the different foods and desserts and then check out the bookstore and grocery store afterwards. My favorite foods so far have been the beef udon soup with a soft boiled egg, shrimp and vegetable tempura, miso soup, and Japanese curry with rice, beef, and vegetables (carrots and potatoes). My son always gets the chicken and beef on a stick and my daughter usually gets a garlic pork dish with white rice but I forget what this dish is called. My husband also enjoys the beef udon soup like I do. I swear that whenever my food is finished, I am legit sad! The crepes are good, there is a variety of boba teas to try, and the ice creams are delicious! Lychee has been my favorite so far but I have yet to try the matcha, red bean, among others! You can get a small sample of different ice cream flavors too, which is nice! I sampled the red bean flavor so that will be my go-to next time! At the grocery store, I love buying Happy Turn snacks which are like a sweet and salty crunchy cracker (maybe it is made of rice?) that are individually wrapped and mochi from the fridge area. Finally, I usually like to buy mochi from the store right next to the bookstore. The mochi from this location is the best! I usually buy multiple flavors to take home and eat at a later time! You must try these! My kids love checking out the bookstore and they usually pick something out for me to buy for them - whether it is a book, keychain, etc. There are magazines, anime figurines, soft plushy toys, pens, and stationary, etc. It is interesting to browse through the things they have there! You cannot bring food or drinks inside but they do have a shelf at the entrance where you can place your drink there if you like. The first time visiting here, the majority of the customers were Asians and as the years have passed, there is now more of an influx of non-Asians who simply love the food and appreciate the culture, which I think is neat! The first time I visited here was with my college roommate who was from Japan and she recommended this place back in 2009 perhaps? I have been visiting ever since with my family. We travel more than an hour from Wisconsin to come here but it is 100% worth the drive! Also, the cashiers and workers there are quick, efficient, and friendly. I have even been able to practice a few of the Japanese phrases I have learned with a couple of the cashiers too (I asked if they spoke Japanese first)! Overall, Mitsuwa is my happy place! Great food, interesting finds, different culture, and everyone there looks excited to be there. This is as close to visiting Japan as I can get until I keep learning more Japanese and save up enough money to go visit Japan someday! This is my dream! In the meantime, we will keep visiting Mitsuwa!

Love this place. Found it by mistake and I have order three times already love the sushi.read more

Very friendly staff and the fresh fried food and soup were good…read more The sashimi (otoro, fatty salmon, ikura) were very good, melt in your mouth level of deliciousness. The yakitori had issues, most of our skewers tasted reheated or cold, which was then reheated anyways. I think they have staffing issues as well. Ordered a lemon sour and it was flat due to having flat soda water. They kindly replaced it with a slightly less flat soda water. Strong recommendation for the otoro and sashimi cuts. Maybe double check if yakitori is hot before ordering more.

The food is the supreme. The service is unmatched. The Ambience is very comfortable to me. The…read moretaste of the food went well.

Everytime I visit Mitsuwa, I always get ramen. Always walk by this place and the food looks…read moreappetizing. I ordered their Chicken Katsu Curry. I'm not really into curry and to be honest I didn't know Japanese cuisine consisted of curry dishes as well. The chicken was good but I did not like it paired with the curry. Not my cup of tea. I also ordered their Gyoza and they were just ok as well. Nothing special. I wouldn't mind coming back to Sutadonya for something else on their menu, but definitely won't be ordering this dish again.

Plain and salmon (no sauce) rice balls are my go to. I avoid dairy, wheat soy and eggs so my…read moreoptions at Mitsuwa are very limited. I am just sad they run out so quickly. The rice balls are amazing when fresh so I recommend eating them soon after buying. They now offer rice noodles for the soba dishes. They can be made gluten free by removing the meat and fried onions. It has curry powder, but cashier says that the curry powder is gluten and dairy free. I got number 45 the Curry Maze Soba. White flakey things are cheese. I really thought it was cabbage when I started eating it. I was able to pick it out. They also offer chili oil which can be a good seasoning of you can't have soy sauce and don't mind a bit of spicy.

My first try at pork cutlet curry was at Coco Ichibanya in Tokyo. It was the most delicious thing…read moreI've had during my time in Japan and could not find anything that came close to it in the Chicagoland area until I found Tokyo Shokudo in the Mitsuwa Market. Unlike Coco, the only downside is that you can't customize the curry spice level but regardless, Tokyo Shokudo gives me my fix whenever I'm craving pork cutlet curry. The pork cutlet is fried to perfection and the pork meat is lean and tender. If you're not a pork fan, they also have chicken, shrimp and oysters as alternatives. I've also had their Salmon Onigiri and Gyoza. Those are pretty decent too. Don't forget to pick up side condiments to the left of the register. I usually get the chili oil and seasoning to top off my curry dish. The best time to go is during a weekday. Preferably after 1pm. Going on a weekend is guaranteed to make you miserable. There are lines everywhere and there's a high chance you won't find anywhere to sit in the food court. Trust me. The atmosphere on a weekday vs weekend is like night and day.

Hands down the best ramen in the Chicago area. Broth is creamy and flavorful, the chicken katsu is…read moreperfectly battered. The ground pork is a great alternative to slices of pork belly (which I don't like). The veggie ramen is equally flavorful. Absolutely addicting. A must try!

This was hands down some of the best ramen I've ever had. The broth was packed with flavor and…read moretasted like it had been simmering forever in the best way. Every bite was comforting and rich without being too heavy. The edamame was surprisingly amazing, perfectly seasoned and super fresh. And the shrimp tempura? Chef's kiss. Soft on the inside, light and crunchy on the outside, and not greasy at all. Everything we ordered hit. You can tell a lot of care goes into the food here. Definitely coming back next time I'm craving ramen.

The little things matter, they add up, and do not go unnoticed. These little details is where…read moreTensuke Market truly shines above and beyond other specialty/import grocers. The baseline meets expectations. For a store of this size, they have a very good selection of Japanese and other Asian products, imported and domestic. Further, their selection of house-made items, like the tsukemono is impressive! The store is very clean (restrooms included), and well-stocked. The prices are on the higher side, but this is common and expected from a specialty market. They also have a food court - one counter sells all the food (rather than multiple stalls). The selection is fair with bowls, sushi, ramen, and other apps, IIRC. The dining area is massive and very well through out. There is free water, large containers of miso soup (which one is apparently free to refill at their heart's content). Bonus points for not having to carry (and spill) hot soup on the way there. While the area is clean, there are table wipes provided. The only thing missing is unlimited green tea like many places have in Japan, but given the cost of matcha in the US, I understand, and am by no means complaining. I'd ordered a bowl with various kinds of seafood. While not a masterwork, it was excellent for the category of items prepared in a grocery store. There are other small things which go a long way in the big picture view: The staff are helpful and friendly, think a Trader Joe's like attitude; increasingly rare in retail. At the register, items that have the potential to leak are sealed in small plastic bags. Going further, there are small bags of ice (think school nurse for playground boo-boo's sized) to help keep delicate items cold and fresh. Final thing I loved: the parking lot has ample EV charging, and there is even a charger by an accessible parking spot. Though I don't need an accessible spot, I appreciate that those who have a need and drive a plug-in are able to charge. Final verdict: Tensuke delivers an all around excellent experince, with a great selection, friendly staff, and little details like preventing items form leaking and free ice making the experience truly top notch. Would recommend?: Yes, especially if you're a fan of Asian cuisine. Would return?: Absolutely, I see myself going at least once a month, or when the snacks run out!

Got the #25 bento and tiger roll. For rolls, I'd recommend you come at opening for the grocery…read moremarket's sushi since it'll be more fresh and at better price, just without some bells and whistles. They do go fast though. The tiger roll shrimp tempura was a bit stale and there was a bit too much rice in the roll. The salmon on top wasn't that fresh. Loved the spicy touch and flavor though. The bento is a great option for traditionally friend Japanese side dishes. Large food court with all the fixings and free miso soup, but it can fill up quick during peak hours - this was 4pm on a saturday though! Be aware the food court takes a reset break from 3-4pm, so that they can reopen at 4pm!

My wife and daughter ordered their Tonkotsu Udon. They were craving ramen but decided to check this…read moreplace out. It was good but I do prefer ramen over udon. I do like thick noodles but prefer the thinner noodles used in ramen. Not sure I would personally order this, but my daughter sure liked it.

I've been to the food court many times, passed by Mugimaru and others because every time I visited,…read morethe place was packed. Finally had time to visit on a Monday after lunch rush. I got the #2, large, then grabbed 2 shrimp tempura, karaage and lotus tempura. Tempura was decent, lost some of the crunchiness but it was still good. Now, the Udon. The broth was lukewarm, which failed the whole dish. If they had brought the broth to a hot temp before it was served, that might have made the experience a lot different, but walked away beyond disappointed with their udon.

I drive 90 minutes just to wait in line for this udon shop. I've had both hot and cold udon bowls…read morehere and always regret not getting the larger size! The noodles are chewy and such a good texture. The broths are always delicious and flavorful. I'm in love with all the tempura options, from veggies to eggs, as well as fried chicken. Service is always fast so the line moves faster than expected. The prices are also quite reasonable. Highly recommend!

I go to Mitsuwa quite often, and I've tried pretty much every vendor in the food court except this…read moreplace. They specialize in udon, offering everything from hot to cold dishes, so I decided to finally give them a try. I ordered their rice curry and udon set, and added a shrimp tempura and potato croquette on the side. The curry sauce had a nice, thick consistency and was packed with flavor, with a pleasant level of heat. They also added sweet potato, onions, and lotus root, which gave the curry some nice color and different textures. To wash it down, I got the kake udon. The udon noodles were chewy and firm, and they were cooked perfectly. The broth was light but still flavorful and made for a nice contrast to the richer curry. Neither of the main dishes came with much protein, which is why I added the shrimp tempura and potato croquette. Unfortunately, both were disappointing. They had lost their crunch and tasted like they had been sitting out for a while. Freshly fried would have made a big difference. Other than that, I thought the portions were filling and the price was reasonable. I enjoyed the curry and udon, and I'd be willing to come back and try some of their other dishes.

Was super fun and the food was great. The guy in the store was really polite and super helpful and…read morehad a really great environment!

It's exactly what it claims to be! With a wall full of unique ramen options there something for…read moreeveryone to try! The machine was a fun and easy way to cook the noodles. The only thing I would change/add was more protein options for the ramen bowl. Can't speak to the boba but it looked good! Will come back.