Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Chanko

    4.6 (225 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese, Bars
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Chanko Takeout or Delivery

    Chanko Photos

    Business Info

    CHANKO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

    You might also consider

    More like Chanko

    Recommended Reviews - Chanko

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    The inside is so vibey.
    Francisco R.

    I must say this place has become one of my favorite places to eat at after just one visit. The vibes are so good, with it being a repurposed diner into an Asian restaurant. Not much seating inside but it's manageable and there is also outdoor seating if the weather isn't bad. The parking is also on the smaller side but there is nearby street parking as well. The food was so good at a decent price and we didn't have to wait too long to boot. The service was kind and everyone seemed to have a good time, would highly recommend.

    Jasmine R.

    Uhhhh amazing!! This is definitely going to be my new Japanese spot. You walk in and order on a kiosk. Wait maybe 5 minutes and the food is out hot and ready to eat! This is an introverts dream! Don't have to talk to one person if you don't want to. Spicy Karaage rice: 5/5 Beef rice: 5/5 Strawberry matcha soda: 5/5 Usually when I order spicy food I don't assist will actually be spicy but their sauce definitely is! Everything is so flavorful and I'm still thinking about it ever since. The place has all kinda of figurines and anime vibes so if you love anime, you will enjoy looking around!

    Side of the building
    Giselle P.

    Situated inside of an old diner, Chanko offers traditional Japanese cuisine. They have an automated ordering by system. As soon as you walk in you'll be met with two screens to place your order. They provide pictures and printed descriptions of their sauces and seasonings. I ordered the katsu with curry and vegetables. It comes with three thick slices of daikon on top of a bed of rice. I haven't had katsu curry that good since I've moved. Seating can be limited as they do get a lot of foot traffic. There are additional seats outside. Beverages include Japanese sodas and regular fountain drinks. Once your order is ready, you go to the pick up window and grab necessary utensils.

    Alwin L.

    This might be known to others but definitely a new find for us. Efficient self-service model in an american dinner setting but serving japanese dishes, great food and more than AAAAMPLE but GENEROUUUUUUS portion. Hindi tinipid especially taking to consideration their prices for each dish. Suulit! We'll not shy away in recommending others to give this place a try if you're at the area. This is Chanko in Tampa. The beef with rice, chicken with noodles and some crispy stuff (dont know what it is called and lazy to look it up) were yum!

    Amanda T.

    Ordered on Ubereats since the prices were reasonable and the portions looked big! Overall, I would give this place a 3.5 on food but rounded up because of the reasonable prices. - Hiro Classic with chicken katsu: genuinely enjoyed this dish. It was very different from what I was used to and it had great flavor. The chicken katsu was delicious. The slaw and vegetables helped cut through some of the grease. Very big portion which makes it worthwhile ** GET THIS IF YOU COME HERE - Pork Belly Rice: simple and straightforward! Lots of fat and very filling. I really liked the Chanko spicy sauce but the overall dish wasn't memorable - Chicken Karaage on the side: they gave you great portions here! It was crispy and I loved the spicy sauce with it!

    Cecilia B.

    There was very limited options when I visited. I don't know if it was the day but after seeing many reviews I was disappointed. The staff were very friendly and the wait time was short. Though my portion was good and the food tasted fine but I was expecting more. My friends' dishes did not turn out great. Their pork they ordered was very dry. I hope to have a different experience when I decided to visit again.

    Yumz!
    Kalin M.

    Absolutely incredible from start to finish! This place is so dope! Used to be an old diner & has been revamped! Ordering was easy peasy on the screens at the counter & our food came out so quickly! The chicken & rice with Chanko sauce was definitely some of the BEST I've had! Still dreaming about it & will be back when I visit friends in Tampa! Bonus little lore for you is there is a booth there where Elvis used to sit when he dined there! You absolutely have got to check this place out!

    Sm. Curry No Veg
    Anna P.

    Oh my goodness. I came here to eat with my Dad (he found this spot!) and I am so impressed and pleased!! I created a vegan veg okonomiyaki with the customizations on the kiosk and my dad got the shrimp rice bowl. I will say, initially I was hesitant because I've made my own Japanese curry at home and I really didn't want this one to just be a copy and paste of the instant curry cubes (because it's not any more unique to me than making it at home) and I am so happy to report, the curry does have a typical Japanese curry flavor profile but it's definitely spiced and zhuzhed up and soo flavorful and spicy! basically, I could not replicate it. I was completely blown away by the vegan oko, it's HUGE (like probably going to take me 3-4 sittings to eat) and it's got crazy textures, cabbage, bean sprouts, noodles, tempura crunchies, the soft crepe, and of course the fried tofu. It comes out fast and hot off the grill. My dad said he liked his meal and would go back, so I would say overall, it was a 10/10 experience! Also I noticed a lot of cool people inside. I will be back to try the tofu katsu.

    Seating
    Avani P.

    Really great concept, Charles's and self service, you order on the monitor and cashless payments. Grab your utensils, napkins and food as it comes out from pick up counter. You oh do clear your own table and throw out all your used containers, or can pack up left overs yourself. No waits very smooth, easy parking. Cute retro diner look with so many different Japanese / Asian drink options! Also lived the tofu and rice and their sauces! Kiddos loved the drinks and noodles and tofu! Would definitely recommend!

    Cool decor and plenty of drink options.
    Lisa M.

    I'm from Orlando and one thing we're lacking is Japanese restaurants that aren't just sushi and ramen. While on a trip to the west coast for a concert I did some searching and Chanko hit 2 of my favorite dishes - curry and okonomiyaki. I wasn't prepared for the sheer awesomeness of the unique design of this place. It's a mullet - brick and mortar in the back and 50's diner party in the front. Stepping in it only gets cooler from there with retro Japanese toys and crazy decor everywhere. I honestly forgot to take pics of food because I was having too much fun staring at the stuff all over the walls. My anti-social self loves the low contact - order at kiosk, food pops out from the back. We ordered a hiroshima style okonomiyaki with a side of spicy veggie curry and mentaiko mayo and my friend got a shrimp rice box with their chanko sauce. All the proteins were cooked to perfection, the rice was fluffy and well furikake'd and that tiger slaw is addictively sour and sweet. The okonomiyaki was a bit more noodle-y than I expected as I really enjoy the cabbage batter more, but it wasn't a problem, more like a blessing in disguise, as it served as the perfect vehicle for the curry which was delicious and not just 'chuck in a roux cube and call it a day' taste. I'd love if they'd open up a location in Orlando but I guess this just means I need to come to Tampa more often!

    Hiro Classic Okonomiyaki with Beef
    Hannah H.

    Stopped by here after a hair appointment close by in Seminole Heights and happy I did! The self service touchscreen order system was one of my favorite parts so I could really look at each menu option as a first timer. The old diner vibe was so cute and the Japanese decor was pretty. They had a very large selection of beers and sake, which I will definitely have to come back to try the lychee wine they had as an option! I decided to get the Hiro Classic Oko with beef and a beer. It came out so quick and the staff that was working the counter was friendly for our interactions. The Okonomiyaki was fantastic!!! The flavors were great, loved the crunchy tempura crisps on top and crepe at the bottom! The beef was also amazing - I loved the way it was prepared and the flavor combo was so good with the Hiro Classic. I'm a person that loves a lot of flavor and different textures in my meal and this did not disappoint!!!

    Exterior
    Mike W.

    We love Chanko! The food is delicious, the service is prompt and friendly, and the location is cool and welcoming. I would use the following three words to classify Chanko - "Yummy Manga Diner". We've eaten here roughly six times and the experience has been consistent. You order from a touchscreen at the counter and they call your name when food is ready. Our goto proteins are the chicken and the pork belly. We've tried all the various sauces and prefer the Chanko Sauce If you are getting a bowl, I would suggest noodles over the rice. The okonomiyaki is also a world class bowl. Enjoy!

    Tofu okonomiyaki
    Ashley D.

    I don't know what it says about me that I love a place where you don't have to talk to anyone to order... Getting to eat at Chanko is my favorite part of trips to Tampa - from the vintage diner vibes, to the quick mobile ordering, I love it all. Food comes out quick and hot, in HUGE portions! I can easily make 2 meals out of an order of their okonomiyaki pancakes or curry. The only way it could get better is if they opened an outpost in Orlando **hint hint**

    See all

    16 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    21 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alwin L.
    9
    85
    299

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 days ago

    Excellent food at a great price. Service was excellent. Come hungry. Good location that's close to downtown.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Hayato D.
    80
    37
    55

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dylan M.
    418
    15
    2

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Chanko

    Is this a place to dine with a party of 7?

    Its pretty small tables, meant for a max of 4 per booth / table. There is one section on the right where you could all sit together, but if it's taken, you might have to sit at two separate tables.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Morgan’s Cove - Gochujang Wings

    Morgan’s Cove

    4.4(72 reviews)
    2.8 miDowntown Tampa

    What a DOPE, PIRATE THEMED, speakeasy to go to grab some delicious drinks! Totally blown away!…read more Tucked, downtown Tampa you enter through a secret bookcase door and you enter a very low key pirate bar! Lighting is dim, which is part of the concept. (Auto flash is needed for pics) The joint, is VERY CLEAN! The staff is awesome and very attentive! They understand process. The drinks are SOOO WELL MADE! I had a Zombie as my first drink, and it is very well presented and STRONG! I prefer,my first drink at an establishment to be strong cause then I can lighten it up later. Then I had a Rum Barrel, not as strong, but well presented and delicious! Note: Prices for drinks are worth every dime! They have a small food menu, but everything on the menu looked delicious, but I did not eat there. This speakeasy is attached to a British pub which I went for food after. (Review to come) All-in-all great spot to come and have a drink you are well treated, appreciated and just a fun experience! I will DEFINITELY come back here for a delicious drink and DEFINITELY will try something off the food menu. I'll just make sure next time I won't go there after a big breakfast lol! Five stars alllllll day long!!!

    These are the coolest places in Fla. Secret cryptic entrances with a speakeasy like ambiance…read more Hidden passages and a clear throwback to the days of prohibition. With all that was going on, it's a wonder we could find the exit after all the drinks. The pirate theme was the caveat. A perfectly dimmed atmosphere and willing performers that can conjure up delicious delights. The red light and point on music only enhanced the experience. Plenty of signature drinks, a dozen different beers and even a few dishes are offered. They stir a nice whiskey sour. It's really what suits your fancy. Fear not. They have mocktails, too! 12/25

    Photos
    Morgan’s Cove - Secret entrance to the speakeasy!

    Secret entrance to the speakeasy!

    Morgan’s Cove - Rum Barrel

    Rum Barrel

    Morgan’s Cove - The bar area, tables surrounding it and another little closed off section.

    See all

    The bar area, tables surrounding it and another little closed off section.

    Alter Ego - Bar Area

    Alter Ego

    3.8(71 reviews)
    3.0 miDowntown Tampa
    $$$

    The vibes are there 100%. Cocktails were pretty okay,…read morenothing super great or crazy but still a solid drink. Fries were delicious with the herb salt on them and of course the dipping! But go for the ambiance.

    I really like this spot overall...Alter Ego has smaller, moody dark vibes that feel super cool,…read morewith good cocktails and great music. It's got that all-around fun, energetic atmosphere that makes it a solid choice for drinks. Not sure how it is during the week, but it would make for a fun date night spot to grab some cocktails. That said, I had a real hang-up the last time I went with my girlfriend around Christmas. They tried to hit us with a $10 cover just to get in, on top of $15-20 cocktails. I don't mind paying for a nice spot, but the cover felt absurd, especially since it wasn't even busy. The bouncer said we could make a reservation to avoid it, so I did...and then he made us stand outside forever before letting us in. At that point, we should've just left, but since my friend had never been, we stuck it out to try the themed Christmas cocktails. Once inside, there was a two-drink minimum per person, which is kind of crazy. It feels like they jip you either way...cover or no cover, minimum spend or not. While waiting outside (for no real reason, since it was empty), we chatted with a party of six who came straight from Ash (the sister restaurant upstairs). They'd just spent over $1,000 on their meal and were still getting charged a cover to enter Alter Ego. That's poor business, don't force extra fees to guarantee money when good music, drinks, and vibes should bring people in naturally and make them want to spend. There's plenty of places on Water Street with great (and I'd say better) cocktails where you're not forced into minimums or covers. The Christmas cocktail menu was disappointing too, poor selections and way too sugary. Love the potential here, but the strict policies really turned me off and made me want to go elsewhere next time.

    Photos
    Alter Ego - Smother fries

    Smother fries

    Alter Ego - Bramble and Rickey cocktails

    Bramble and Rickey cocktails

    Alter Ego - Lighting

    See all

    Lighting

    SpookEasy Lounge - taco salad

    SpookEasy Lounge

    4.1(124 reviews)
    2.0 miYbor City
    $$

    A unique, one of a kind cafe/tea house/lounge/bar that is not to be missed in Tampa. As the name…read moresuggests, the decor is incredibly spooky, featuring scary statues, pictures that change on the walls, and furniture that looks like it all belongs in a haunted house...all located in renovated former Baptist church. But other than being one scary venue, Spookeasy has food and drinks that are worth hanging around for while you take in the spookiness of the place. A full coffee bar, they already have my name on it, but they also feature sandwiches, snacks, salads, and other bar food. While I came here for a Death Cafe event, I decided to make myself comfortable by getting myself some food and lattes. Thankfully, the place serves up food that makes a visit here worth more than just a quick look around. I got myself a hot marshmallow flavored latte, and a breakfast sandwich. The latte was delicious, and I loved the marshmallow flavor I got with it to give it a more unique taste perfect for winter. It gave me just the right kick while I waited for my event to start. The breakfast sandwich seems simple enough, bacon, eggs, cheese on toast, but each ingredient was thoughtfully prepared to make one filling meal. I can tell the egg is fresh cracked and the bacon was perfectly crispy, all held together by two slices of thick toast. I also loved the fries that came with it, well seasoned with cheese sauce AND melted cheese, so I was pretty occupied and well fed during my meeting. The staff here is great, laid back, and super-friendly to talk to. They have a good vibe about them that makes me want to come back to haunt--er visit them, haha, Death Cafe meeting or not.

    Esrom is an absolute standout at Spookeasy Kava Bar…read more We were initially told by the bouncer that we had to leave because there wasn't a place to store my electric scooter. Esrom caught wind of the situation and immediately went out of his way, came outside, and told us he would personally store my scooter so my girlfriend and I could come in and enjoy drinks. That level of care is rare. He didn't have to do that -- but he chose to. On top of that, once we were seated, he brought us games to play and made sure we were having a great time. It's extremely uncommon to see someone who genuinely cares about their job and the customer experience to this extent. Esrom is a huge asset to this establishment, and that kind of hospitality doesn't go unnoticed or forgotten. Because of him, we'll absolutely be back.

    Photos
    SpookEasy Lounge - Horror bar

    Horror bar

    SpookEasy Lounge - Taco salad

    Taco salad

    SpookEasy Lounge - Decor

    See all

    Decor

    CW's Gin Joint - Angeled Eggs

    CW's Gin Joint

    4.2(576 reviews)
    2.6 miDowntown Tampa
    $$

    Ok. For context I'm a foodie and a snob when it comes to restaurants. This place is just plain…read morecool. Little speakeasy. Little high end restaurant. I am also a sucker for egg white drinks. If you've never had one you are not living. Then there is the wine. They have Cade from Howell Mountain. So hard to find and one of the best. I will come back every time I am in town. It is way up there on my lists as I travel.

    This post is based on my second visit to this restaurant. My husband and I did enjoy it the first…read moretime around and immediately thought of who to bring for our next visit, which was the reason for this visit. We originally planned on bringing some family here for their anniversary but that plan feel through so we made it into a friends catch up dinner. Right off the back LOVED our server Nimah. She was funny, helpful, and attentive. And they are on top of refilling your water so you will never go thirsty. I'm not much of a drinker, so I don't have much to say on that matter. The ambiance was nice. A lot of eclectic paintings on the walls. And loved the outfits of the servers. Very 20's speakeasy. There is a live jazz band that started performing at 7 pm. They were good but at some points it was a bit difficult to speak and listen to those at your table unless you got really close. My meal hit the spot. We started with a charcuterie board for the table. It had a lot of great options like dried apricots, actual honeycomb pieces, and my most favorite cheese, some Brie cheese. The only thing was there was only 4 pieces of bread, one for each of us, which wasn't enough but I guess it made sense not to fill us up too much. For my main meal I had the sweet potato salad which was very tasty and the sweet potato risotto, which a little spicy kick. The only thing I missed was the Brussels sprouts and potatoes but was told that was from the previous chef. But they serve you enough so you definitely will have left overs. Not a big fan of eating in the lounge areas, those are best just for drinks and maybe desserts. But it's definitely a great place to people watch. You will definitely have a meal and a show no matter what. Hopefully can schedule another time to bring my family because I know they would love it.

    Photos
    CW's Gin Joint - Corner of bar

    Corner of bar

    CW's Gin Joint - Oysters with Mignonette

    Oysters with Mignonette

    CW's Gin Joint - French 75 with Hendricks

    See all

    French 75 with Hendricks

    Hotel Bar - Cocktails

    Hotel Bar

    4.3(229 reviews)
    2.8 miDowntown Tampa
    $$

    The bartenders really know what they're doing at Hotel Bar! I'm not usually a dirty martini person,…read morebut one of them took the time to ease me into it with just a slightly dirty version! You can tell they're skilled and actually care about your experience, not just making drinks. Oh and they have bar snacks now! It's not included with your drinks like in Europe. You have to order separately and they come in the most adorable tray for $5! The music is always on point, which honestly makes a huge difference in the overall vibe. Also, I love their hours...it's one of those places you can count on when you're not ready for the night to end.

    From the moment I walked in, I was treated like I wasn't wanted there. No greeting, no attempt to…read moretake my order, and no basic customer service whatsoever. I tried to be polite and patient, but the staff was rude from the very beginning and made it clear they didn't want to serve me. To make it worse, I was kicked out for absolutely no reason. They claimed I "argued" with them, which is completely false. I never raised my voice or caused an issue--I was simply responding to their hostility. Instead of owning their behavior, they chose to make something up and remove me. I've never experienced such unprofessional, disrespectful treatment at a bar. If you're looking for a place where you feel welcome or even acknowledged, this is definitely not it.

    Photos
    Hotel Bar - Hotel Bar

    Hotel Bar

    Hotel Bar - Old Fashioned

    Old Fashioned

    Hotel Bar - Bottle display

    See all

    Bottle display

    Chanko - japanese - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...