Kurumaya is a place that I have visited maybe three times before, several years ago. It was a…read morepopular, well reviewed place back then, just as it is now. But it just kind of slipped out of my consideration for no particular reason. But today I was driving near there, headed for somewhere else, and it hit me - Bento box sounds good today. And so it goes.. Parking in this small strip mall is usually pretty easy. It is a popular choice for lunch for many people that work in this business area of Elk Grove. I think that is because in addition to the good food, the service is not only friendly, but also very efficient. That allows you to have a nice sit-down lunch and still get back to work in time. They don't rush you, but you won't have to wait long for both the food and the check. Today I did have my delicious bento box, which as others have agreed, is a great deal for lunch. But I also splurged for a "Rock' n Rol" sushi roll, which was quite tasty. My waitress was wonderful - friendly and efficient as usual. But she didn't rush me personally. She even asked me if I wanted tea. In summary, it's an excellent choice for lunch. Good food, affordable, kind people, and a nice change from a fast food drive-thru.

Ask for Harumi - She is the most wonderful, nicest server ever and knows the best recommendations…read moreon the menu! If you're looking for the most authentic Japanese food outside the city, seems like this and a couple other places are all in the Schaumburg/Elk Grove Village area. Highly recommend hitting their lunch menu if you can because the bento box values are so worth it for authentic Japanese food/sushi. We got there at opening for dinner on a Saturday and got there just before dinner rush! This place is such a hidden authentic gem - you can tell from the decor to the choice of seating design to the actual menu and way they cook the RICE and other dishes. They serve the same grain for sushi as they do regular rice (Tamaki gold). Quality is not skipped here. We got the agedashi tofu (must get appetizer, as it's hard to really every achieve at home cooking), house special curry katsu, the beef kurumaya gozen (bento box) (which has incredible tempura, juicy soft beef), and assorted sashimi platter (I forget the name). All come highly recommended and were well worth the price point. I am just a bit sensitive about the freshness of the sushi, but I think this is probably as fresh as you can possibly get with generous cuts outside the city. Everything down to the miso soup too was delicious - best place to take your friends/family/coworkers for an authentic Japanese meal. Parking lot available out front. Recommend also stopping by Tensuke market nearby after!

My gfs had introduced me to Sozai Banzai last year, and since then, I've taken my family and…read morefriends here several times. We've always had delicious food and friendly service. We usually get a bento, udon, katsu or their special of the day. My son likes their muffins too :). Everything tastes made with care. Highly recommend.

Come here for lunch on and off. Usually grilled fish are good. Hamburg is also delicious. So as…read moreside dishes. Like to try all kinds of things in the menu.

I've now been here twice in less than two weeks and the first review was for my first visit for…read morelunch. This is now my updated review as a purposefully came back for a dinner on a Friday night. You should try to make a reservation because on this particular Friday night they actually were full. And you can do it online through their website. The dinner menu is significantly different from the lunch menu. It is much more expensive with a lot more choices, especially as it pertains to the sushi and the cold as well as hot appetizers. You also have the option during dinner to order a sushi tray whether it is a Nigiri sashimi or maki tray. And if you sit there and do the math if you order the trays, they're a lot cheaper, but you have to like what the options are on the tray. You can tell by the pictures we ordered quite a bit of food as usual for dinner. Everything was so super fresh and delicious as usual. Everything came out with really good timing as well. We had a completely different waitress and a team of of servers this evening and all of them were absolutely friendly and helpful and attentive. This is got to be my new go to for authentic Japanese. You can also tell because while we were there the patrons coming in were Japanese in majority. I cannot say enough about this place being amazing with incredible quality fish, and a great menu.

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.

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.

Yo this place smacks, I brought my parrot, Lucky, with me and he really enjoyed the Hokkaido broth…read more I had to bring some home for the rest of the birds

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.

Nikko is the best spot in the burbs to grab fresh made to order sushi. The apps were amazing well…read moreput together .. and the rolls and nigiri had the right amount of rice to fish ratio. Unlike them ayce places that serve warm rice and a huge ballad bland fish ( ahem ahem royal sushi). Nikko does it right. Quality of fish is A1 and service is on point. Friendly peeps in there. This is my fav sushi spot a hidden gem

Ambiance - intimate, lowkey spot, great for dates & they have 1 table for large party…read more Service - servers were super nice, food came fairly quickly Food - fish quality was fresh, Nagasaki SP noodle had a good kick, do not skip the short ribs (super tender, juicy, really generous portion)

Definitely worth coming here in addition to Mitsuwa - they are physically a smaller store, but…read morerecently reopened to a location next to the old one due to renovations and it is just as clean, variety just as fresh, and sales are just as good. I prefer going here for the fresh cuts of various sushi fish and other seafood as they import from way more places than other Japanese grocery stores and at fair prices. The snack selection here is also unique and they have a great frozen food selection. The food court is on my list for next time as I hear it's also incredibly fresh and the staff are really knowledgable about the sushi and other menu items they serve and it's always busy on the weekends from what I used to see. Parking lot available.

We've been to Tensuke Market Food Court a couple of times over the past few years, and it feels…read morelike an underrated spot compared to the H Mart Food Court. If you're looking for quick eats while doing some Asian grocery shopping, it's definitely worth checking out. One thing I really like is that finding a table isn't difficult. They have a separate dining hall with plenty of long tables and seating, plus a free-refill miso soup station and a water station for convenience. Pricing here is noticeably lower compared to Hmart. The udon noodle soup is a family favorite, especially for our kids and moms. At Hmart, a bowl of this would run about $15-16 but here for $12.50, you get a generous bowl plus a side like two egg rolls or gyoza, and a small miso soup bowl with seaweed and tofu (you can refill the miso soup at the station). If you skip the side, you save about $1. The Godzilla roll is also a great deal--eight large pieces for about $14. My oldest loved it and was completely full from the sushi. They also offer poke bowls and chicken teriyaki rice plates, which my husband ordered during our visit. My only gripe is that many of the dishes tend to be on the salty side--they could definitely tone that down. Our udon broth tasted good, but we ended up adding some water to dilute it. They also offer discounted cooked hot and cold items--sometimes 30% to 50% off--after the dinner rush (probably after 7 PM). I picked up a large container kimchi pork soup to go for under $5 but it was also quite salty so I took most of it home, added more water and it was perfect as leftovers next day. Ordering is simple: you select your items and pay at a kiosk, enter your buzzer number, and it will vibrate when your food is ready for pickup at the counter. Eating inside a grocery store has its perks--you can grab extra snacks or drinks to customize your meal, and then browse the store afterward. Our moms and kids always enjoy coming here with us--it's definitely more fun for them than a typical grocery run. Overall, prices are reasonable and they run good deals. It's smaller than H Mart, so there are fewer options, but if you prefer a less crowded and more relaxed environment, you might actually like Tensuke better.

We went in 30 minutes before close and made our own ramen. Everything was very clean and organized…read more The gentleman working the front was so friendly and didn't make us feel rushed at all. I also ordered a mango smoothie, which was delicious (I'm picky with my mango smoothies). I'll definitely be coming back!

Discovered this place by chance and ive always wanted to try something like this. I was overwhelmed…read morewith the Ramen selection snd would probably have to go back again n qgqin to try most of it. They do have free toppings like green onion, bean sprout, corn and onions. The place is very spacious. Mostly a self serve except when you check out but service was still good. I want to try the kimbab and teokboki when i go back and they also have a few selections of bubble tea. Will definifely be back. Happy eating!

It was our first time trying this stall at the Mitsuwa Food Court in Arlington Heights. Good news…read moreis that I now have a new favorite that can alternate with, and is at par with, our all-time favorite bowl of ramen from the Santouka stall! I ordered the Special Tempura Plate and it was Oishi! Yes, with an upper case O! Absolutely delicious! The service was friendly and fast, considering that they cook each plate or bowl to order. It was so good and so fresh that we decided to order two more pieces of the white fish tempura to add to our meal and 4 more to go for my mom who loves fish. The very friendly guy at the counter advised that I use an air flyer to warm the fish up at home. The Food Court is of course not a place you go to when you look for ambiance, but it definitely has the Japanese vibe with the variety of Japanese food that you can select from. It is also a plus that it is in Mitsuwa Market so that you can shop after getting your belly full of deliciousness!

Absolutely delighted for this newer spot in the food court! I had the combo with hot soba and a…read moreveggie tempura rice bowl. My husband had a combo with cold soba and tempura. The noodles were cooked perfectly and I really liked my soup. The tempura was nice and crispy, but I would have liked some sauce for it that wasn't spicy chili. Though, the chili oil was good - hot but not too much so. My husband was also happy with his meal, and I did steal some of his tempura sauce. We didn't have to wait too long even though everything was made to order. The staff were friendly and patient with my indecisive self. I'm definitely going to be back, hopefully sooner rather than later. While I do prefer udon, soba is a great change of pace and I'm happy for the added variety of food offerings!

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!

Came to this particular Mitsuwa to pick up bentos for a long work day for the entire weekend and…read morewas very happy that the entire bento area was well stocked everytime I came in around 10 am. I also really enjoyed picking up a variety of delicious breads from the bakery every single day as well. My favorite was the cream pan; it was super soft, and had a perfect amount of cream filling. There were also a lot of cute breads in the shape of different characters that were also as delicious as they were cute. There is a self check out line as well as plenty of cashiers so the wait to check out was minimal to none.