Cute, clean, friendly & delicious. All words I would use to describe Sugar Pine. The interior is bright and welcoming, very open and tidy. The staff was very patient and friendly when we were ordering, chill vibes felt. The food speaks for itself, great usage of classic Japanese ingredients in each dish, some flavors subtle while others more bold and vibrant, really impressed. I recommend everything we ordered -- soba noodles, house fries with yuzu mayo, spicy tuna onigiri. Will have to try the chicken katsu next time. Their bar menu is also quite impressive, with several drafts beers on tap. I want more places like this in Austin. 5.5/5 read more

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The ice cream / sorbet is a MUST TRY. this is incredible. Best dessert ever. You can skip on the onigiri, but the sorbet do not pass on. Definitely get the mango sorbet. It is made in house. Actually I believe most if not all of the flavors are made in house. It is incredible. Sugar pine staff is amazing, they have these beautiful snake plants in there and we asked for a clipping and they happily accommodated thank you so much! The ambiance is cute and the location is right by a bunch of other amazing Asian eats. Certainly check this place out. read more

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We were looking for iced coffee and stumbled upon this cute spot. It may not look like much on the outside but it is very modern and comfortable inside. They have soft comfortable chairs that feel like you're in someone's living room. The decor makes it for a cute date spot or just catching up with a friend. They have small snacks, ice cream, homemade waffle comes, beer, wine and various sake. Staff were very friendly and helpful. read more

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Regrettably having gone back frequently, the flavors is just not the same. Used to love the chicken Katsu in curry with mushrooms and chicken Karaage. Like it so much that I would recommend plenty to go by but we traveled a way to return and was disappointed. It was still hot, still fresh and still like the different combinations within the bento set but it lacked flavor. I don't add too much salt in my food ever buy salt would've helped. The Karaage was still crunchy but without the mayo, it left more to be desired. Curry tasted diluted and thinned out by too much water in the gravy making. This experience not one off either as like I said, we've been supporting for awhile it's just something about the recipe has changed. Yes perhaps it's pandemic or lack or cooks, unsure, but hopefully it gets back to the delicious place that we crave and can recommend as before. read more

Sugar Pine - Chicken Katsu in Mushroom Curry $16.75 combo set - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This place piqued my interest because of its unique flavors, like miso caramel swirl and black sesame. I got the white chocolate thai tea and it was a little sweet for my liking but the tea flavor was definitely there. The ice cream itself was creamy but also melted kinda quickly. It came out to $4/scoop which is kinda pricey. The space was clean and the staff were attentive to our needs. Not sure if I'd come back though. read more

Sugar Pine - white chocolate thai tea - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

The shop is really cute but the ice cream is only OKAY at best. The onigiri is only okay as well.

This place is so cute! I went here for dinner with my friends and got the chicken yaki udon and it was really good. I thought the chicken was cooked really well. My friends got the Karaage, Curry chicken katsu, crispy tofu, salmon and tuna onigiri and it was all really good. The workers there were nice and the food came out really quickly. At the end we also got some ice cream and they have really good flavors like matcha, black sesame, taro, watermelon thai basil and miso caramel. I particularly enjoyed the white chocolate thai tea. Overall this place is really good and it would be a really nice study spot as they have drinks, ice cream and free wifi it just might be a little more on the pricey side for food dishes (5 for onigiri, 5 for one scoop of ice cream and about 15 for a plate of food). The workers are really nice as well. read more

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If you love Japanese food, you really can't go wrong with Sugar Pine! My PIC and our baby girl headed here primarily for the onigiri and SP delivered! Service was friendly and helpful, the food was absolutely delicious, and the ambiance was perfect for a weekend afternoon. The plating was gorgeous and the prices are what you would expect for something so good. I'll be heading back again to update my review! read more

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Stopped by here with some friends on the way back from the domain because we had it bookmarked. The location is a little out of the way from anything and off the side of the highway, so if it weren't for the great reviews online we definitely would've never found this ourselves. It kind of has a cozy cafe style interior, with a fairly open layout that is self seating. We ordered up front and wait for our names and orders to be called, a normal casual dining setup, but I will say the individual at the front was still very helpful in giving recommendation on what we should order or try. Wanting to try multiple dishes, we all went for the smaller plates. I Started with the chicken Karaage, curious as to how it compared to the others I've had at numerous places. I will way the batter was nice and light, crispy without being soggy, greasy, or too thick to where it all falls off in the first bite. Also, I was pleasantly surprised by the tangy dip that came with it. I am very glad I ordered the salt & pepper tofu, and that was definitely some of the best fried tofu that I have ever had. I think in all of the dishes that we ordered, most of which are fried, they have really nailed down the perfect batter and cooking techniques. The sugar pine spritz that I ordered was a twist on an aperol spritz, but slightly fruitier. Definitely an upgrade from a drink that is already one of my favorites. Lastly, we did order ice cream to go on our way out, and that was the most unforgettable part. Their flavors were creative and reasonably priced, with the ones that I chose being the miso Carmel swirl and the black sesame. This definitely has to be one of my favorite, if not my ultimate favorite, ice cream shop now, and even if I am not there for a full meal I know I will be back for that! read more

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I came here with not expectations, and boy was I super impressed. The restaurant is so tidy, plenty of seating. The walls were cutely decorated, from furniture to table settings, and food plating - such an amazing experience! Not only is the presentation of the entrees amazing, the taste of food is as well! The chefs have such great creativity and the staff here are so friendly and welcoming. We ordered a couple onigiris, the steak and karage plate. Everything tasted so good! I would love to come here again to try their noodles and dessert menu. This is a great place to bring friends and family. 10/10 would recommend! read more

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Amazing space and delicious food and treats. I like it to be my secret but business is business. If you go be respectful, the servers are so nice and the food is delicious. Just take a seat and relax. read more

Really great Japanese food! I got the katsu curry meal and enjoyed it! I love all the side dishes that come with some of the sets--quick and easy wholesome meals. read more

Sugar Pine - chicken katsu curry set - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Really cute Japanese cafe and ice cream spot right under 183! It was my first time there and the nice lady at the counter made me feel very welcome, and immediately cleared a table for me. I was recommended the onigiri by a friend, and although it's a tad pricey ($5.25 each, it's just a fancy rice ball haha) both the spicy tofu and the tuna onigiri were delicious! I also wanted to try the tempura fish and chips, and the fish was the absolute star of the show. Crispy, light, and sprinkled with a chili powder mix, the flakey fish paired perfectly with the mystery sauce on the right! I've heard rave reviews about the ice cream, so next time I'll definitely check for a dairy-free option! (I'm also curious about the meal trays, like yaki soba or katsu) read more

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We went for ice cream. It was ok, had some interesting flavors. The "homemade toppings" we things like chocolate chips, nuts, etc. not exactly homemade, and a little anemic. Place is very cute and the staff were very friendly. read more

Sugar Pine - Ice cream - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Discover a cozy Japanese-inspired ice cream spot with a warm atmosphere and friendly staff. Don't miss their standout black sesame ice cream--it's uniquely delicious! Perfect for a simple and satisfying dessert fix. read more

Sugar Pine - Black sesame ice cream - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

What a lovely surprise! This fun and cute little spot sure surprised the heck out of us with the quality, atmosphere and friendly staff. We ordered a two onigiri (shiso-plum/ume, and salmon) and both had absolutely wonderful flavor. The rice was well seasoned and had a great texture as well. (Would have been perfect if they had squeezed the rice ball a bit harder to prevent it from falling apart so easily). We also got the chicken karage meal set, which included delicious miso soup, seaweed salad, some beautifully seasoned pickles, a bowl of steamed white rice and a small cookie. The perfectly crisp chicken was paired with a yuzu mayo dipping sauce, which provided a wonderful citrus complement to the savory and juicy chicken. We topped off our meal with a scoop of miso caramel and black sesame ice cream. The miso ice cream was smooth and delicious and the black sesame was fragrant, but wasn't very smooth. Overall, a great little spot to check out and add to your regular spots. (4.5/5 - easily 5 stars with slight tweaks). read more

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Ice Jasmine Green Tea (5/5) [$2.50] Very refreshing and very pretty. Matcha Limeade (5/5) [$3.50] Like the green tea, very refreshing and very pretty. Yaki Soba Shrimp & Squid (4.5/5) [$13.75] Not your traditional yaki soba but definitely a lot prettier; lots of color with lot of ingredients. The sauce was a little blander than I would have wanted it and the squid rings texture felt like they were boiled instead of seared, but still a good dish. Karaage (5/5) [$7.45] Again, not your traditional karaage where they are marinated in garlic/ginger/soy sauce/sugar. However, these were really well fried. Not oily at all, super juicy, and the sauce they came with (Yuzu Mayo) actually went really well with the chicken. Sweet Potato Fries (5/5) [$5.45] Like the chicken, very well done on the frying. Not super oily, and not over or under cooked. The yuzu sauce fit these fries perfectly. Love the sauce and love the creativity. Spicy Edamame [$4.95] Just your typical edamame but with a little more effort by throwing them in a pan with some spices. Three Scoops with Cone [$11.25] -Taro Root (4/5) Typical taro flavor. -White Chocolate Thai Tea (3/5) Interesting and creative combo but just didn't hit it for me. -Watermelon Thai Basil (5/5) Amazing to eat on a hot summer day. Love the combo and love the color. Atmosphere and Service (5/5) Service was great and the atmosphere was very instagram pretty. The yellow walls on the outside fit the food colors well, and I saw the folks there were taking extra steps to clean for the pandemic. tl;dr Their food was a great spin off of Japanese food, and the place very aesthetically pleasing in both food and decor. Service is better than what I expect at a normal restaurant and they go above and beyond to keep things clean. Give them a shot definitely get the Karaage, Sweet Potato Fries, an iced drink, and the watermelon thai basil sorbet! read more

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Very good! Trendy photogenic spot well lit with plenty of comfortable seating. My kids enjoyed the fish and chips which were very large and freshly breaded. The chips were sweet potato fries. I tried the seafood soup with a large portion of asian noodles, peas, carrots, greens, shrimp, and fish. The adults particularly liked the Japanese Onigiri and the Chai and Honey teas. Dessert was worth the stop! We tried a White Chocolate Thai, Taro Root, Miso Caramel, etc. They had many other flavor options available. Little pricey, but a great experience for all ages! read more

Sugar Pine - Onigiri and Fish & Chips - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

This place is so great!! I was craving some katsu and my husband and I hadn't been on a date for a little while so we thought this place was a good option and it was! We had so much fun. He got the spicy chicken udon and I got the pork katsu. The ambiance is unbelievably cute. From the second you look at the building till the time your leaving it's comfy cozy and cute. They even had pumpkins outside! Gotta love a place that's on theme. The people working there were great! Special shout out to Cyrus. Thank you for providing excellent service and answering all my questions. Everyone seemed very knowledgeable about the menu and were kind and courteous. The bathrooms were also nice and had very good/fancy soap. But there wasn't a purse hook in the bathroom stall which is like a minor pet peeve of mine but no big deal. The food was fabulous!!! The katsu was super crunchy but the pork was still nice and moist which is hard to do with pork. The sauces were delicious. The pickles were refreshing, varied, and not too strong which can sometimes overpower a meal. Rice was nicely cooked. Miso soup was good and flavorful. And the seaweed salad was classic and great! The udon wasn't all that spicy but was still flavorful and had a large portion size. The noodles were smooth and soft. Overall very delicious meal. The iced green tea was super yummy too. Overall I really appreciated the ambiance and laid back nature of this place. The food was really great and the people who work here went above and beyond! Shoutout to Cyrus again. read more

Sugar Pine - Chicken spicy udon - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Sugar Pine onigiris hit the spot on a Friday lunch craving during this covid-19 quarantines era. My husband and I placed an online order right at 12, which if I could, would like the system to let me order prior to store opening since we wanted to place it at 11:30 for 12 opening pick up. Once there, they had us call for curbside pickup, so someone would come out. They were running slow although we were the only ones there for a bit but we waited patiently. My husband ended up having to go in since we waited almost 20 mins til 1pm and we still had no food in sight. They apologized for the wait, and told hubs they had a trainee making the order so that was what the hold up was. They closed our bag to ensure nothing would be compromised, received our black sesame ice cream which is the bomb, and even threw in a box of picky as a sorry for the wait. The patio was open for dining in and we await the day we can return to enjoy the interior vibes! Onigiri flavors were delicious and very well presented. read more

Sugar Pine - Pint of ice cream - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This is a super cute and cozy restaurant with nice staff. Everything we ordered was delicious. If I had to pick my favorites it would be the nigiri and the ice cream. Rice to filling ratio on the nigiri was great! The ice cream is made in house and is so creamy! I would definitely back to try more dishes! read more

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This place was so cute! I loved how it was decorated with little trendy lights and plants. We came during happy hour, which gives you $2 off each Small Plate item. We got the Chicken Karaage and Salt and Pepper Fried Tofu. The food came out fast and tasted delicious. Their ice cream is hand-made by the owner, who likes to experiment with different flavors. We got Miso Caramel and Black Sesame. Both were rich, creamy, and not too sweet. I am definitely coming back to try more ice cream flavors! read more

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Came here to try out their specialty ice creams and boy they did not disappoint! I tried all the flavors they had available and was hoping that the black sesame one was good but it was quite grainy. So I went ahead with the toasted coconut and taro flavors. It was so creamy and delicious! I can't wait to go back and try their food on a different occasion. read more

Sugar Pine - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Sugar Pine is high on the aesthetics. The restaurant is bright with sunlight shining through the large windows. Plants are abundant as they find home throughout the restaurant as well as on each table. And you'll also find no shortage of colors and nice design choices. This place serves dishes that are a play on Japanese bento as well as onigiri and creative ice cream flavors. The staff are all as friendly as the restaurant is inviting. We ordered the Salmon Onigiri, Chicken Karaage set dish, and the Katsu Chicken set dish. Note that their salmon and tuna onigiris are cooked, not raw. The rice and seaweed are good, although we wished the seaweed was bigger to prevent the onigiri from falling apart as easily. She liked the salmon on the inside, although I felt that it was dry. The set dishes were hit and miss. The miss was on the chicken for both set dishes. The flavor in general as very bland to me and could definitely use more seasoning. The curry was nice, and I was super impressed with the mayo for the karaage and the seaweed salad. The little cookie was also delicious. After lunch we grabbed two scoops of ice cream: miso caramel swirl and the watermelon thai basil. Such contrasting flavors as the miso caramel was creamy and thick, while the watermelon thai basil was a sorbet and very refreshing. Although the under-seasoned chicken was the biggest offender, I love the concept and would like to come back for more of their desserts. I would give this place a 3.5, but will settle for a 4 since the owner's head is in the right place. read more

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The service was amazing the ladies were super nice and helpful. Beautiful and clean restaurant. But the food was lacking, which is what I was there for. I ordered the cold soba and but the dipping sauce had a strange taste. Couldn't finish it - it was that bad. The rice ball was decent but smaller than I had expected. The tofu dish was pretty good if you generally like fried tofu. I did like their ice cream though. read more

Sugar Pine - Soba Noodles - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Discovered a great new place for lunch today: Sugar Pine. It's an order at the counter Japanese place with really excellent food. We had the pork katsu, the salmon bento, and some salt and pepper tofu. Green hot tea for me and red iced tea for my wife, who also finished with the honeydew mint sorbet. All absolutely excellent. Only complaint was my salmon portion which was really small. read more

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OMG the service was so good and the food we got the white chocolate Thai tea ice cream with another scoop of toasted coconut and it was so filling also having the water out is very nice and the chairs were so comfortable if you're in Austin, this is a must see place! read more

A fabulous place to grab a casual lunch with friends. Or onigiris and ice creams to snack on. The location is in a less than stellar area, but that hasn't stopped Sugar Pine from exploding in popularity. I only tried the miso caramel swirl ice cream with the candied ginger on top. The ice cream was enjoyable, and the candied ginger was great. Candied ginger is an underrated candy, so I'm glad that Sugar Pine offers it instead of the standard toppings like mochi or gummies. The puffed rice was also unique. Parking is okay. Sugar Pine gets packed during lunch and dinner rushes. Plan to come during the mid-afternoons when not many customers are around. Next time I try this place, it'll be for their lunch menu. read more

Looking for a place with snacks, ice cream, coffee, and boba? Well, this is the perfect place because it has all that! I like their unique concept with their small plates, entree dishes, and most of all, onigiri! I've been looking for a place that serves onigiri and Sugar Pine makes some tasty ones, definitely the perfect snack for on the go! We also got the kaarage chicken which I think could use more seasoning & flavor, but the chicken is juicy & tender. The Thai Tea ice cream is also worth a try as with their other flavors. Overall, cute little shop for a quick break or snack - clean, interior has character, and service is quick and friendly. Parking is limited with a few spots in front. read more

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Yes! I finally made it to Sugar Pine. A friend and I wanted to get some dinner and we chose this restaurant. I wasn't familiar with the menu and didn't realize that you walk through a line to order. After reviewing the menu on the wall, i quickly ordered my food as people were lining up behind us. I order the Katsu Pork and a Chicken Onigiri. The food arrived quickly and looked great. I started with the seaweed salad, which was a first for me and it was delicious. The miso soup was pretty good as well as the pickled veggies. The chicken onigiri was also a first time treat for me. It was tasty but it was honestly too much rice for me. Now the star of the meal was the Katsu Pork of course. It was warm, crispy, tender and had a wonderful drizzle of glaze on top that is perfectly sweet. I'll have it again for sure. The staff was very friendly and helpful during our visit. Recommended! A+ and very affordable. read more

Growing up, watching Pokémon, I definitely had moments where I wanted to try Onigiri. Thankfully, Sugar Pine has fulfilled my foodie dreams. It's super cute on the inside, definitely great for picturesque moments. I ordered the Iced Coffee (on the hunt for the best cold brew) and The Spicy Tuna Onigiri. The iced coffee was on the brink of sour, but it wasn't sour. It could be due to the amount of water from the ice, but I did not mind it. The Onigiri was very tasty. There is a very savory coating that gives it a crunch. I really enjoyed my experience here I can't wait to come back a try the other options on the menu! read more

Sugar Pine - Iced Coffee and Spicy Tuna Onigiri - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

This will be short and to the point. We simply enjoyed this place. Their food were tasty creations of culinary art. Both beautiful and delicious. Overall the restaurant was clean and tables were bussed immediately after customers left. Water and to-go containers are self serve. Be sure to leave room for ice cream! read more

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Super yummy chicken karaage and onigiri! I swung by for lunch and was pleasantly surprised by the cute interior and delicious food. I would not have expected such a yummy, nicely decorated restaurant on the frontage road by I-183. I ordered the karaage lunch set and 1 spicy tuna onigiri. It's not a super cheap lunch as I spent about $20, but I had enough for 2 meals. I have been on the hunt for asian fried chicken, and I've finally found a spot. The chicken is super moist and flavorful. The sauce they provide to dip is very yummy. Also a decent portion of fried goodness. The other items in the lunch set were okay/normal. The cookie was definitely a let down; why did they do gluten free?!? The onigiri was yum yum and there was definitely a kick. They don't skimp on the filling which is nice. Overall, would definitely come back again, especially for that karaage! read more

Sugar Pine - Chicken karaage bento set - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

I don't know how many times I've passed by Sugar Pine, assuming it was just a new ice cream spot. Then, it started popping up on those "Best New Restaurant" lists that are always floating around our city. Needed a quick, tasty bite before a movie and decided to check it out. And I gotta say, I'm impressed! I could definitely see myself being a regular here. The location doesn't lend itself to fine dining, but this really is a hidden gem! The food was tasty, service was quick, and while I didn't try any desserts they looked pretty amazing! I wasn't super hungry, so I got the spicy tuna onigiri and it was perfectly spiced--enough kick to be worth it, without burning your mouth off. My dining companion got the katsu, and it was perfect. We shared a sake and while a little expensive, it was tasty. I wish they had a bit more of a selection, but I think it's smart as a new restaurant to stick to a few things before really branching out. My dining companion is a picky eater and was disappointed you couldn't do the katsu a la carte, but I happily helped him with his sides. Can't wait to see what they do with this place, they're off to a solid start! read more

Sugar Pine - Menu at Sugar Pine - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Fantastic menu, flavors, and choices! I had their curry katsu and spicy tuna onigiri! A great place to meet a friend and enjoy a meal together! Parking can be a bit tight as is seating, so I would not go during peak hours. read more

In the 5-10 times I've been here I've had solid and consistent experiences. Sugar Pine has a very bright clean and inviting atmosphere. This is the perfect place to come to escape work, relax, and have a filling snack. When the weather is nice I opt for the outdoor patio. I've enjoyed everything I've ordered from here, I haven't had anything I don't like. My favorites include: - salmon onigiri - avocado onigiri - iced jasmine green tea - white chocolate Thai tea ice cream read more

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Unsuspecting name and road signage. Maybe a little miss on the marketing. I have driven by this place for 2 years not even knowing it was an eatery. An upgraded Japanese version of COCO's Taiwanese eatery. Apparently the same owners. Nice presentation of food. Heavy-handed on the salt like COCO's. The ICE CREAM was fantastic and earned the extra star here. I would go back and eat here. read more

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5 stars for the ice cream. I loved the sesame, miso caramel, and coffee flavors. 3.5 stars for the savory food. The kimchi chicken onigiri was really good. The shiso onigiri was too sour for me. The cold soba noodles had a really good dashi broth. The chicken katsu curry lacked flavor. read more

I am all for the onigiri! The spicy tofu and ume shiso were prepared differently and were a perfect combination to try for the first time. Both were delicious but the former is quite spicy and the latter quite pickled. They are filling due to all the rice and I could certainly eat nothing more. The place is done up in an adorable way with beautiful wallpaper and fun yellow chairs. The service was tad bit lacking but according to the new normal, it would be considered good. read more

Food: 8/10: We ordered the katsu pork and chicken karaage set dishes and the soba noodles as an appetizer. The katsu pork was nice and crispy and seasoned just right. I would have liked a bit more of the sauce over the top, but only because the pairing was so good! The karaage was my favorite - the tiny bites with the mayonnaise-based sauce was the perfect bite of crispy savoriness. And of course, the soba was delicious. The broth was good - a bit too salty for my taste, but you hardly notice it after you add the ginger and bonito. All of the presentation was really simple and clean and I really liked the small ceramic containers it came out in. You can tell they put your plates together with a lot of attention and care. Service/Vibes: 8/10: The service here was really good - the lady who took our order was extremely patient with us as we looked through the menu. The food took a little bit to prepare, but she was very attentive in keeping us updated along the way. Also, she happily brought me some more of the white sauce for the chicken when I asked. We felt very well attended to and comfortable throughout the entire experience. Overall: 8/10: The vibes here are great, and the food is just as good! If you like high quality Japanese food at a fair price and good service, this is a must-visit! I will definitely be coming back! read more