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    Tane Vegan Izakaya

    4.5 (444 reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

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    TANE VEGAN IZAKAYA ATMOSPHERE

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    Beet salad
    Smitha S.

    My first time trying sushi !! I know very late !! But better late than never !!! Good part all vegan , so vegetarians like me find it easy to try . We ordered Manila dune and Waimanalo rolls !! There good but on the sweeter side . We did not like either of them cos of the sweetness, then we ordered garlic edamame and miso soup . Both were good , edamame was yummm .. then ordered goma miso ramen it was yummm too !! And then ended with yummy blue Berry cheesecake !!

    katsu
    Gigi G.

    Came in on a weeknight and it was super busy. Waitress said that there was a 30 minute wait and to leave our number (she said we were second in line). There were people that came in right after us and were seated. I then waited 45 mins and come to find she never added us to the waitlist!!! The app added us to the waitlist late and said we were actually 8th in line. What a joke. I've been here before and the food was great, but please be more organized and efficient next time.

    Emily P.

    We had an amazing meal here!!! We ordered two different rolls- unfortunately I don't remember which but I feel like you can't go wrong with anything here. I am really looking forward to returning and trying more things on the menu. Got the mixed berry cheesecake for dessert and this is an absolute must. It was soooo yummy!!! Cheesecake was one of the things I didn't think I'd be able to find a good vegan version of but Tane's is a dream!!! I still think about it periodically. I am excited for when I can return

    Manila Dune (GF)
    Molly L.

    Came here on a weekend evening after making a reservation in advance. We were the first to be seated during our reservation - the restaurant fills up fast though there are about 5-6 sushi bar seats available for walk-ins. Overall we did not enjoy this place as much as we had hoped. Maybe we were biased because we had just gotten back from Austin where nori had the vegan sushi we've tried. But to start, the service here was not great. Even though we were the first to be seated, people next to us ordered first while we had flag someone down just to put in our order. We ordered two sushi rolls - the Pacifica, which was supposedly the most popular, and the Manila Dune. We actually liked the Manila Dune more because the Pacifica had random flavors in it that didn't go well together all the time. Like too much garlic in some parts instead of subtle flavors. The garlic ramen we ordered also had random strong wafts of garlic and so did someone's dish who sat next to me. It wasn't great. And what else I didn't like about the ramen is that the ingredients leaned more seafood such as vegan scallops and mushrooms and then a random patty that tasted like sausage. I think they are doing no one any favors by not making their soup consistent in expected tastes and textures. It was disappointing for sure. Our experience was just okay and I'm not sure we would come back.

    Agedashi tofu
    Amber C.

    Did not expect vegan sushi to be this good. Joined the waitlist on yelp 30 min before we planned on eating, then we were immediately seated when we got there. Got the agedashi tofu , ewa, point reyes, and futo maki rolls. My favorite was definitely the wedge, but loved the spiciness of the point reyes too. Will definitely be back to try their other specials! Ambiance was nice, dimly light like a fancy restaurant.

    Photo 1: Montage of images from Tane Vegan Izakaya
    Ed U.

    I was just wondering if this Berkeley spot was related to Shizen in the Mission since the distinctly plant-based culinary approach seemed pretty similar to me (review: https://yelp.to/vNYPXTu3eJ). It turns out the trio of co-owners did indeed create Shizen and that this is the second location of Tane after they opened the first one in Honolulu. The signage was so subtle that I barely noticed the restaurant from the sidewalk. I was early on a weekday evening so I had no trouble securing a table across from an unshy Asian couple who looked like they ordered half the menu. I decided I needed a drink, so I ordered the $13 carafe of Sho Chiku Bai Nigori (Photo 7). I'm a fan of Takara Sake, so I was immediately pleased with the milky flavor and coconut notes. It was hard to decide what to order as they offer quite a robust menu. I first tried the $12 Shizen Shiitake, a rustic plate of a half-dozen shiitake mushrooms they stuffed with shredded tofu and matcha salt drizzled with a hoisin-like sauce (Photo 10). It was good, just a bit uneventful for my palate. My second dish was the $17 Wedge, a decorative specialty tempura roll with spicy tofu, green onion, ichimi chili pepper, sesame, spicy aioli, and sweet shoyu (Photo 9). It was a bigger serving than I was expecting. Not that I was complaining because it was packed with far more interesting flavors than the stuffed mushrooms. It was a bit challenging to pick up intact, but who the hell cares? I was dining solo. I decided to end my meal with a couple of $7 vegan nigiri orders, the Eggplant with Scallions (Photo 8) and the Shiitake (Photo 6). Genuinely delicious for vegan fare. Now that's the Shizen I remember. FOOD - 4 stars...vegan Japanese specialties with character and flavor AMBIANCE - 4 stars...subdued with tables well spaced SERVICE - 4.5 stars...cordial and quite attentive TOTAL - 4 stars...Shizen reborn in the East Bay RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's my collection of places I've tried and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u

    Nap
    Vibhuti V.

    The menu at Tane is imaginative and crafter with care. Every dish feels intentional - not just a substitute for something vegan but a standalone creation in its own right. The star of the show is Sushi- delicate rolls with flavorful ingredients like spicy tofu, veggies, avocado. The texture, balance and umami in each bite are on par with high-end sushi restaurant but without the fish This place redefines what vegan cuisine can be, especially in genre like Sushi.

    Pokai
    Holly S.

    Nasu is my fav appetizer. The barbers is one of my fav rolls. Point Reyes, sunset and pokai are also on my list. I used to love the spinach salad but they recently changed the dressing on it. Now it's not so vinegar-like. My preference is the previous version, but I'm certain everyone will enjoy the current version. Everything tastes fresh. Rolls are a little heavy on rice. Wait staff are always friendly. Place gets busy but be patient, it's worth the wait.

    Gobo maki and California roll
    Sydney W.

    Food, service, and ambiance are all 5 stars. I absolutely love this restaurant and I think it's very creative. And I appreciate that it's really easy to make reservations via Yelp.

    Half Moon( deep fried)
    Maxine L.

    I'd like to preface this by saying I'm not vegan. And I love regular sushi. Most of my family is vegetarian/vegan, so came here with them. The restaurant itself is pretty small, on the outer edge of DT Berkeley. It has a more intimate vibe for dinner, with the dimmed lights. Service is nice and attentive. We ordered a pretty wide assortment of rolls and nigiris. It's definitely interesting. Flavors were good. I especially liked the tomato nigiri and the half moon roll. The Manila dune gave me king Julien vibes LOL also interesting flavors. It's definitely interesting! And I fully understand the appeal for vegetarians/vegans. I'd still rather eat a fish, but it's worth a try if you're interested! This place does vegan food well!

    Maggie C.

    I've been here 3x in the past couple of months and the food never ceases to amaze me. I highly recommend making a reservation on yelp. There are not a lot of tables and it's frequently booked out. I am not vegan and love sushi yet this place blows my mind each time. Every roll I've tried has been fantastic and doesn't have me missing real fish. My favorite roll by far is the Pacifica and Pokai. If you can take the heat, the Point Reyes roll is also great. I've tried both the spicy garlic miso and shoyu ramen. I enjoy the spicy garlic miso ramen more. It's a bit creamier than the shoyu. The garlic edamame is also an amazing starter. Packed with flavor and they also give a good amount! This place is one of my top restaurants in Berkeley. Taste, service, vibes are all unmatched.

    Monterey( GF) Great roll!
    Jeanethe G.

    The atmosphere was great as soon as we walked in. Came in, got greeted with chilled water, and the service was on it! Quick order, quick drinks, quick food. Efficient but never rushed. We love a restaurant that respects your time. Now, let's talk about the rolls. Monterey (GF): Cute, but that creamy little veggie salad on top had me guessing... cucumber? tomato? watermelon? IDK, but it was a moment. Still a great roll THE WEDGE: Listen... this is the one. Crunchy, spicy, flavorful. My top pick of the night without hesitation. Tempura Shiitake: Shiitake stuffed with a creamy tofu filling and ponzu drizzled all over? Yes ma'am, we cleaned the plate. Point Reyes: Spicy, solid, savory, can't go wrong. Cant forget about dessert! Got the mixed berry cheesecake to go! Everything came out fresh, flavorful, and honestly way more creative than other places. Would I come back? Already planning it.

    Poke Salad (GF)

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    Loved the food and the service. Can't wait to return. It's a great place for vegans or anyone who loves fresh, delicious food.

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    Page 1 of 12

    Ask the Community - Tane Vegan Izakaya

    Is there dessert available?

    We are planning to have it next year

    Does this place serve alcohol?

    Yes

    Dessert yet??? Oh please...

    Is there a no-onion, no-garlic menu?

    Yes we do have it. When you dine in ask the server to have the allergy menu please

    Do you have dessert menu?

    We don’t have it yet. We are making the dessert and drink menu. We will have it soon. Thank you

    Does this place have drinks & desserts?

    Hi Alise, we are applying the Alcohol license for soft opening at this moment. We will have homemade Gf dessert and alcohol when we get the license. Thank you

    Do they take large party reservations?

    We don’t take party more than 6 . Thank you

    Do they have outdoor seating?

    Sorry we don’t

    View All 9 Questions

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    Kiraku

    Kiraku

    4.4(1.8k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Really great restaurant. Was able to easily make a reservation on Yelp for 5:30 on a Wednesday…read more They have an iPad in the front that you can waitlist on, but you can also check-in for your reservation on it. Inside is definitely cozy and you'll be sitting fairly close to the tables next to you. Service was really fast and easy - no complaints at all! The food was all great. Standouts were garlic edamame, 6pc omakase, beef tongue, pork belly, negitoro maki, corn tempura, & sweet potato creme brulee. Edamame was lightly charred and salted well, with generous amount of garlic flavor. Omakase was fresh and tasty, although a tiny bit small so definitely perhaps get your own instead of sharing one order between two. Beef tongue was hands down the best thing. I thought it was a boneless short rib with how tender it was (can break apart with chopsticks). The pork belly was also soft and went well with the spicy miso. Negitoro was fresh and the wasabi was grated very well. Corn tempura was perfectly fried and very crispy while still being soft inside. Lastly, the creme brulee was a great dessert. You do get a hint of the sweet potato. Would love to return to try other dishes!

    Came here for dinner with my sister and brother-in-law at their recommendation, and I can…read moredefinitely see why they keep coming back. The restaurant was packed and seating is pretty limited, so I'd highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time. The atmosphere is lively and energetic with casual Japanese eatery vibes, and service was friendly throughout the meal. Everything felt creative, rich in flavor, and very texture-focused. Here are the highlights: * Ankimo Mousse (monkfish liver) with sweet potato chips - Made with truffle paste, capers, and chives. Absolutely delicious. The mousse was rich and savory but surprisingly fluffy in texture -- honestly a savory girl's dream. The sweet potato chips added just enough sweetness and a snap to balance the richness of the liver. 9/10 * Bluefin Tuna & Tsubugai Sashimi Nuta - Bluefin tuna, sea snail, broccolini, and fresh wakame tossed in a sweet Kyoto yuzu miso vinaigrette. Kind of like a sashimi-seaweed salad. I really liked the vinaigrette and especially the texture of the sea snail. I'm not sure all the ingredients fully came together cohesively, but it was still enjoyable overall. 7.5/10 * Yuba (house-made tofu skin with ikura and uni) - Served as single bites on spoons. SO good. You can really taste the difference between house-made tofu skin and store-bought. It's much more delicate, creamy, and tender, with a mild soybean flavor that balanced the richness of the uni and salmon roe beautifully. The textures in this bite were incredible. 9.5/10 * Iberico Pork Jowl Skewer with miso marinade - I honestly prefer pork jowl over pork belly. The fat and meat are more integrated instead of layered, so every bite is tender, juicy, and flavorful with just the right amount of chew. So good. 9/10 * Clam & Cilantro Ramen - I've never had a ramen broth quite like this. It was slightly creamy and deeply flavored from the clams, and the cilantro added a lot of depth and freshness. The noodles had a great texture too -- chewy and bouncy. Everything worked together perfectly. 9/10 * Uni Carbonara Pasta - Pasta with parmesan, uni, and ikura. They do not skimp on the uni or roe here. Super creamy and rich with bursts of saltiness from the ikura. The texture was great, but I honestly wished it had just a tiny bit more salt to really make all the flavors pop. It was almost there for me. 7.5/10 * Desserts - We tried two desserts, including the sweet potato brûlée. Both were delicious. One had a silky panna cotta-like texture, while the sweet potato brûlée was creamy, lightly sweet, and had the perfect crackly sugar top. 9/10 Overall, such a fun meal with a lot of unique dishes and flavor combinations. There are still so many things on the menu I want to try next time. I'll definitely be back.

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    Kiraku - Ankimo chips & dip

    Ankimo chips & dip

    Kiraku - Nigiri sampler

    Nigiri sampler

    Kiraku

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    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

    3.9(442 reviews)
    0.6 miDowntown Berkeley
    $$$

    Top contender for Japanese cuisine in Berkeley--equal parts sophisticated and scrumptious…read more Highlights include: - Sea Bean & Corn Tempura: a savory funnel cake worthy of a Michelin star thanks to its texture and the side of matcha salt - Salmon sashimi: succulent with fresh wasabi - Wagyu Shime Special: insane price for insane flavor--a generous portion of veggies and wagyu in a big ol' iron bowl of bubblin' broth

    Ate Christmas dinner here with my mom as our celebration tradition is usually a Japanese…read morerestaurant. The ambience was intimate and cozy yet elegant, and the staff was very attentive and kind. I loved the decorations, the plates and silverware, and the food was just as intentional in flavor and selection. For appetizers we had: Anchovy Stuffed Olives Tempura - Tempura Spanish alives stuffed with anchovies $9 Kombu Tsukudani - Premium Hokkaldo kelp, say sauce, bonito, shiso, sesame seeds, enjoy with sake or rice $6 For our meal we had: Saba Bouzushi - House-cured saba mackerel bouzushi - stick-shaped sushi, also called battera, served with shiso, sesame, scallions, topped with Hokkaido shiraita kombu, ten pieces $29 Gindara Yuanyaki - Local black cod marinated in soy sauce and shikuwasa Okinawan citrus juice served grilled $34 Steelhead Trout Nabe - Norwegian ocean trout raised sustainably in the clear, cold ford where the seawater meets fresh meltwater from the glaciers in the mountains. Enjoy the rich flavored, melt-in-your-mouth fish, hotpot with dashi broth, mushrooms, napa cabbage, burdock, clear noodles, tofu, mizuna, scallions, yuzu kosho $39 We've been to many izakaya spots and this place had some of the most unique flavors I've tasted. The Saba Bouzushi stood out to me because it reminded of Filipino paksiw but as a roll! The Gindara was buttery and soft and had a yummy smoky flavor. The Nabe was perfect for a rainy evening - hearty, fresh, and so well balanced in flavor (I loved the yuzu kosho the had us add for a citrusy, peppery flavor)

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    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya - Inside

    Inside

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya - Takeout Basque Cheesecake ($15) - good but the slice is very small. Doesn't have a strong cream cheese flavor.

    Takeout Basque Cheesecake ($15) - good but the slice is very small. Doesn't have a strong cream cheese flavor.

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya - Chicken Karaage

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    Chicken Karaage

    Iyasare - Assorted nigiri

    Iyasare

    4.0(987 reviews)
    1.8 miFourth Street, West Berkeley
    $$$

    Came here for dinner, loved the kakiage - it's a must to add shrimp imo, the thick juicy bites of…read moreshrimp are great and make the dish stand out. We ordered the mentaiko pasta, miso black cod and a paper crane to drink. The pasta was great, and had a little spicy kick to it, and the miso black cod was so good!! Very umami flavor with the mushrooms. Delicious cocktail as well. Overall really impressed with the meal- and we had a really attentive waiter- he made sure we were taken care of and refilled our waters pretty often. Will definitely be back to try rolls and the ramen!

    Started with a drink and the iyasare kakiage tempura which has burdock root, onion, sweet potato,…read moreshiitake, enoki, carrot, shungiku, and bonito soy dipping sauce. Highly recommend the iyasare kakiage tempura, wish it had some less sweet potatoes and more of the other ingredients, but overall it was savory and very sweet from the sweet potatoes. I enjoyed the kara-age curry rice which is a japanese style fried chicken thighs in a tokyo style curry sauce, a small salad, and koshihikari rice. They gave sooooo much kara-age chicken and it was quite filling. Good dish to share with others. Lastly, we had to try the iyasare mentaiko pasta which is a spicy cod ros, spaghetti, ikura, shiso, and kaiware. It's quite heavy and creamy, but definitely worth trying if you like the ingredients!

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    Water being poured..

    Iyasare - Kakiage Tempura

    Kakiage Tempura

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    Kirala - Lunch special Bento box

    Kirala

    3.9(1.9k reviews)
    0.9 miSouth Berkeley
    $$

    Kirala isn't just another Japanese spot for us--it's a reminder of how far we've come. My wife used…read moreto only treat herself to Kirala when she was younger--on special occasions when a bonus check came in. Now, we get to dine here as a family, and that nostalgic treat feels all the more satisfying. Food (4 stars) + Ribeye teriyaki was a hit--tender, cooked to perfection, and the kids loved it! + Lamb chop was a standout--one piece, but perfectly grilled, juicy, and tender. I could eat 2 of these with a bowl of rice and it would be a hearty meal! + Chicken karaage was solid--crispy, good portion, and a nice appetizer. It's basically a Japanese version of chicken strips that is way better than nuggets. + Salmon sashimi for the kids never disappoints. ~ Chirashi bowl was fresh and filling, though standard compared to other spots. There was a lot of rice which if we knew that we probably would've skipped the extra bowl I ordered to eat with my lamb chops. For the somewhat premium pricing, I wish they provided fresh chopped wasabi. ~ Stuffed mushroom skewer was just okay--tasty but nothing special. I guess for mushrooms it does taste kinda like a chicken meatball which could be a good thing. Service/Ambiance (4 stars) + Attentive and thoughtful service, especially accommodating a broken foot. They let my family wait at the bar instead of standing. + Ambiance is that classic Japanese vibe, busy but comfortable. Maybe not high-end, but definitely a place that feels special--especially now that we can afford it!

    Saturday night dinner for a group of 3. The place opens around 5. There are no reservations, so you…read morehave to wait in line. The wait wasn't too long though. We ordered a few different items - tempura, sushi dinner, shisito peppers, miso eggplant and croquettes. Most were decent, eggplant was meh. Service was prompt. Prices are reasonable. Note that they do tack an extra 4% fee on credit card payments.

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    Mensho - Signature Smoked Toripaitan Ramen

    Mensho

    4.5(642 reviews)
    3.2 miPiedmont Ave, North Oakland
    $$

    Stumbled upon this ramen place that happened to have a michelin star/ guide for the last three…read moreyears! The wait was about 30-45 mins for a party of two at 7:30pm on a Saturday. Considering other reviews, I don't think we waited too long. We ordered two of their top ramens, although the matcha duck one was enticing, I did like the Garlic overload on my ramen. The fried enoki mushrooms were also good, I just wish the portions were a bit bigger for both dishes. Staff was also quick and helpful going through the menu with us first timers. We sat at a shared table but I like how they had a divider to separate the spaces. Pretty small restaurant and they only have street parking so if you want to try, I recommend going early! We were lucky to snag a spot right in the front!

    Yummy ramen would recommend the chain…read more I've tried this ramen chain at their Houston location. This time I ordered the signature smoked & Black Vinegar Karaage. The noodles are the highlight for me. They're bouncy and have a nice texture. The bowl is packed with flavor. The Karaage was good, crispy, absorbed the sauce well, there were also pieces of soft eggplant as well. I would go lighter on the sauce or have the excess on the side. The sauce became overpowering the more chicken I ate. I think the Houston location had better service. This location felt cramped, loud and cold. There is only street parking at this location, there is Fentons a few doors down but there's more parking in the surrounding neighborhoods. The Chicken ramen at Mensho is the best I've tried in the U.S thus far

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    Mensho - Waiting area

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    Spicy garlic karaage fried chicken

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    The Public Izakaya - Classic Chirashi

    The Public Izakaya

    4.2(725 reviews)
    9.8 miLower Nob Hill
    $$

    This is a great late night spot, especially due to the fact that they have a late night happy hour…read morefrom 10 PM - 11 PM! The deals are not just great, but all of the food we had was fantastic. All of the fish was very fresh and all of the grilled skewers had a nice smoky flavor. They were very nice and let us order happy hour dishes even around 9:45 PM. Got seated very quickly on a weeknight (Tuesday). Can be tricky to find street parking.

    Came into town last night to catch a show at the Masonic Auditorium & we were looking for a bite to…read moreeat & some drinks before the show. Since there isn't much to do around the immediate top of Nob Hill, we came back down to explore the neighborhood around Union Square & found Public Izakaya as our dinner spot. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but once you enter the doors, you enter a world that is classically Tokyo/Shinjuku. Decor is everywhere, on the walls, the ceiling, with toys, figurines, art, plants, anime, lanterns, books, and other sort of interesting, authentically Japanese trinkets. The interior space is very appealing and everywhere you look, you'll see something that catches your eye & imagination. They put a lot of work into decorating this space! It's big & small at the same time. Tables are a plenty, but space is tight. It's really hard to get around in here, you'll have to squeeze between people, tables, chairs, and just walking to the bathroom or your table, you'll have to zig-zag and squeeze past many obstacles. But, it's worth it, and classically Japanese Izakaya, and judging from the packed restaurant on a Friday night, everyone came here to socialize, eat, drink, and hangout & have fun. Music was also very pop-py Japanese, so it really set the right mood for an energetic & fun experience. The service was great. Lots of wait staff roaming around the restaurant ready to take orders & answer questions. Prices are fairly affordable, and offers you a chance to try many small dishes, or splurge on larger entrees. Since we were going to a concert that would go well into the night, we wanted to keep or food intake light, and alcohol intake heavy! The cocktails are good, diverse, creative, authentic, and tasty, but rather small for $15. There is no bartender, the drinks come out to you from the kitchen, but service was fast & efficient. We tried a Lemon Sour, Lychee Mojito, and Ume Shiso. Each were well crafted & presented, but pretty tiny and with very little alcohol, but lots of flavor. We ordered the Mushroom Hot plate, Agadashi Tofu, and salt & pepper broccoli. Food was tasty, portions small, and everything was pretty salty & oily. It's an Izakaya, so I did expect small plates to share in between sips of drinks, but I think the food kind of missed the mark. I ended up feeling a little sick from the salt & oil in the food, but the alcohol kept me going. I think we will come back to try some fresher seafood & Sushi next time, and skip the heavy fried appetizers. Might also stick to wine, beer, or sake, as the cocktails were pretty pricey & small & weak in alcohol. But, it's a really fun, upbeat spot. Lots of eye candy to look at as you are hanging out, eating, drinking, and having fun. The decor & atmosphere is so fun, creative, detailed, and pop-culture Japanese. I really felt like I was transported to an Izakaya in Tokyo for the hour that we were there. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, and I'd like to go back to explore the menu as well as artwork & displays around the restaurant. We had 3 drinks and 3 appetizers, and our bill was around $100. We left satisfied with our Japanese Izakaya experience here, only disappointed by the size & weakness of the alcoholic cocktails, the saltiness & greasiness of the fried foods, and I even felt a little bit fat trying to squeeze into the aisles & tables of the restaurant as a 6' 150" thin asian man, lol. Oh well, I guess Tokyo is dense and Japanese spaces are supposed to be small, tight, and narrow. That mostly added to the authentic Japanese Izakaya experience. PS, it's pretty loud & crowded & busy here, so don't expect to have a calm, quiet, and peaceful conversation here, you'll have to shout above the music, chatter, and noise of the urban jungle here, which actually adds to the classic Izakaya experience. It was a lot of fun, but not a lot alcohol. 3 cocktails and I didn't even catch a buzz!

    Photos
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