Izakaya 68 on Shawan Road absolutely nails the feel of a real Japanese Izakaya. The atmosphere is warm, lively, and authentic--exactly what you'd expect if you stepped into a neighborhood spot in Japan. One of the highlights (especially for families) is the robot cat servers. They're a hit with everyone at the table, from kids to adults, and they genuinely add to the fun without feeling gimmicky. The food is excellent and checks all the Izakaya boxes: yakitori, gyoza, and my personal favorite--takoyaki--are all done right. On top of that, they also offer sushi, ramen, and full entrée dishes, so there's something for every appetite. Drink options are just as solid, with Japanese sodas, green tea, and a good selection of Japanese alcoholic beverages. This is a great spot for the whole family and an especially awesome place to host a birthday dinner for teens. We brought a 13- and 14-year-old group, and it was a perfect balance of fun, great food, and a relaxed environment. Highly recommended if you want good Japanese food and a memorable experience. read more

We happened to be in the area and really stopped in on a whim. The place is very well decorated inside and reminds me of ramen shops and festival booths for a night market. My only complaint is that all of the ramen broth is pork as I would have loved to have some ramen but I have a pork allergy. That said, the udon broth was very tasty and had a clean but bold flavor. It is probably one of my favorite broths I've had. You use the QR code on the table to order and the robot brings you your food. Our server also helped put stuff on our table from the robot. It's a very cute robot and sings about people being in the way as well as your table number. Everything we had was cooked well or assembled great. I really want to come back and try some of their other sushi rolls. The salmon belly was torched just right and the mayo complimented it well. The yellowtail was unique and the sesame paired well with it along with the pepper. I wasn't a big fan of the beef skewer because it was a bit sweet. The inari sushi has spicy mayo in it and I enjoyed it. The shumai stays hot for a while so just be careful. The green tea stayed warm throughout our date and was nice and hot when it first came out. The prices are incredibly reasonable and I felt the fish was very fresh. Our server answered all of our questions, which is how I ended up with udon instead of ramen. My spouse said his curry was delicious and he devoured it. read more

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We had a wonderful experience at Izakaya 68. It has a warm and welcoming vibe that captures authentic Japanese izakaya feels. We came around 6pm and they were able to accommodate us- 24 adults and kids. I'm glad we came early before people started coming in. One of the best things about this place is the small portion sizes at very affordable prices. We were able to try variety of dishes without feeling overwhelmed -- and honestly, that's the best way to enjoy an izakaya! I highly recommend. Definitely a place I'd come back to again! read more

izakaya 68 - Sushi Bars Near Me - Cockeysville, Maryland

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I LOVE THIS PLACE! I have only been here once, but the interior was so whimsical and I felt transported to Japan. The music was fun, but needed to be a bit louder, it was actually a little too quiet in the restaurant and I could clearly hear the booths next to me. You order small bites for about $5-8 for each dish. The chicken karaage, gyoza, spicy salmon inari sushi, and taiyaki red bean paste dessert were the stars. That chicken karaage was genuinely the best in my life. The inari sushi prices are a bit steep, but they are really good. The robot delivery system is fun. The skewers were the least impressive of the dishes - a little overcooked and not much flavor. The fish-shaped taiyaki dish was another must-order dish. Such a fun mochi-like chewy texture! I can't wait to come back. read more

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We had a nice dinner here, with our meals served by cute cat robots. The food is nice, but lukewarm, as if it had been held under warming lights. We had Giza that was delicious, grilled vegetables that were really good, nice chicken plus scallion on a skewer that was really good. The bacon wrapped mushroom was nice. The Ramen was good. All in all, a nice average meal with great service by robot cats. The atmosphere was festive with lots of families and kids under the red lanterns. read more

izakaya 68 - Cat robot - Sushi Bars Near Me - Cockeysville, Maryland

Couldn't have picked a more perfect spot for our Easter dinner. Loved it so much, we all agreed we would come back anytime. The seating has a cozy and intimate feel. Serene decor. The menu is varied and appealing. Servings are sized and priced to be able to order several dishes. Well-prepared and fresh sushi - I had the Black Dragon Roll. Ramen bowls were great. Don't miss the variety of skewers. The kitty robots are accompanied by friendly and cheerful staff. read more

izakaya 68 - Sushi Bars Near Me - Cockeysville, Maryland

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Being served by robots is so cool!! Honestly it was such a unique experience we had a fun time, even though it is a little silly. The restaurant has a nice atmosphere and is quiet with slightly private booths. Now it wasn't just fun to be served by a robot, it also still had delicious food! We tried a bunch of different things on the menu. The yakitori (bacon wrapped mushroom and beef tenderloin) both were flavorful and not overcooked. We had some spicy tuna and a salmon avocado sushi which both were fresh and delicious. We also tried the chicken fried rice which was surprisingly flavorful! The servers were also very quick and polite. Drinks were delivered by humans :) read more

izakaya 68 - Salmon Avo Nari Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Cockeysville, Maryland

I've picked up takeout or had delivery from izakaya 68 a few times - quite a few times - but last week, a coworker and I decided to mix it up (we almost always go to the same fast casual spot for lunch) and go to izakaya 68 for lunch. The inside of the restaurant is really charming - it feels like you've walked into a night market. Each little booth feels private and cozy. When we sat down, the host asked us if we'd been before. When I responded that I'd only picked up takeout, he told us that in the future we could order from the QR code on the table, and that the robot would bring it to us. Yes, robot. We gave the host our order this time, and just a few minutes later, a robot rolled down the aisle, stopped at our table, and asked us to grab our food. It was a very cute little robot (a kid in the restaurant was definitely getting a kick out of it). I had a chicken scallion yakitori (skewer) and a spicy snapper roll, which were both very good and a great combination for lunch. (I also had a pot of green tea, which was great.) I really enjoyed that their menu has such a variety - plenty of yakitori (meat, seafood, and vegetables), maki rolls, special rolls, karage, udon, ramen...something for everyone! Overall, I really enjoyed our lunch at izakaya 68. It'll definitely be included in my lunch rotations moving forward. read more

izakaya 68 - Sushi Bars Near Me - Cockeysville, Maryland

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Still love the food and atmosphere of this restaurant but unfortunately they have drastically raised the prices of their small plates and a family of 5 now cost $200-250. Due to this we have selected other nearby options for family night. read more

OK spot. Food was decent. Service was completed by a robot food runner, which was cool to see. The interior was very nicely decorated and I enjoyed the vibes. Overall, it's an alright spot to hang out and eat small foods. read more

izakaya 68 - Sushi Bars Near Me - Cockeysville, Maryland

I can't get enough of this place. I continue to love their kebabs, ramen, and rice dishes. The place is not very crowded when I go (which I find nice because service is quick), but there are always people in there. I enjoy the music and the servers that help unload the food from the cat robot. Overall I just find this place to be one of my first choices when I go out. read more

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The flavors and textures were all there. I mean, spectacular and beautiful. The inside decor really shocks and amazes in all the good ways. And I loved the cozy exclusively private feeling of it all! The food brought me back to my hometown and it was nice fusion blend of Japanese and Chinese flavors and textures. The staff were helpful and always clarified, checking on us a lot. And were considerate of my shellfish allergy, reassuring me that there was IMITATION crab in the croquettes we had come for. read more

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Came here for lunch for the 1st time, The ombiance was very nice. The decor was Japanese inspired which I liked. We were greeted and sat quickly. Ordering csn be done by scanning QR code or waiter. Your food is served to you by a robot, very unique. My food choices were the creamy crochet, Dragon rolls, Katsu Curry rice, spicy Tonkotsu Ramen small serving , and dessert Taramisu layered cake all very delish!! If in the area try them out! read more

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Super delicious sashimi salmon, each one is so fresh, the fish melts in your mouth But I don't know what kind it is The soup is so delicious that I drank two bowls! The mackerel is highly recommended, so tender, and there is also a small bowl of Udon noodles read more

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Just meh! The good: Gyoza, Sake, and the automated robot that serves the food. The salmon sashimi was fine, but just not fresh. You can tell by just looking at it. There is a nominal amount of sushi in the rolls which is intentional on how they cut the rolls. The standard spicy tuna rolls are cut to make them appear bigger but there is less fish. I won't be back. Too many better options. read more

izakaya 68 - Robot serving food - Sushi Bars Near Me - Cockeysville, Maryland

While the cat robots are cool as servers, it is difficult to find a human to ask for additional water, forks, or wasabi. Other than that, it was a great lunch time meal, smaller prices and smaller portions. The ramen was delicious and the noodles had a nice texture. Unfortunately, the eggs were way overcooked. Regardless, We will return. read more

izakaya 68 - Cat robot server - Sushi Bars Near Me - Cockeysville, Maryland

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Ate here again on 7/19. It was an overall good experience. They still use the scan to order menu and there was one dish we ordered that never came out which we ended up just canceling because we were full. The wings were the best part of the meal. The chicken gizzards I wouldn't order again, they were too hard and chewy, tough to eat. Service was ok via the Bots but I don't like how all the food doesn't come out at once. Ambiance was ok but there were a couple of other loud groups in the restaurant and at times they were very rowdy and couldn't even hear the person I was with. read more

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There is so much to love about izakaya! The decor was fabulous with the cherry blossom tree and each booth setup like a stall in Japan. We started with each getting a bowl of ramen, the bowls are on the smaller size which reflects the price. Come in expecting to order more. We ordered the salmon Inari, fried banana, Brussel sprouts and a few other things. Each was delivered by a very cute robotic cat with humans coming around to collect empty plates. Amazing value for everything. Can't imagine this being any better. read more

izakaya 68 - Ramen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Cockeysville, Maryland

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We got take out from here. It was quick and easy pickup right at the front. It was ready when we arrived a few minutes before the estimated time. It was nothing special but it did the job. Sushi was decent. Spring rolls were crispy before they sat and got soggy in the take out container. I wouldn't make a point to go here again but I would eat here again if I were in the area. This is more of a 3.5 but there wasn't anything bad per se so I went with 4 stars. read more

This is easily going to be a frequent spot for me! The space is pretty large that can very much accommodate the crowds of a busy weekend or dinner rush. It was very beautifully decorated and the way the seating areas are set up, it feels very intimate. The menu has an array of options choose from and is very reasonably priced, it allowed us to try more of the menu. You order by scanning a QR code specific to your table. You choose your items, how much you want, and select order from your device and it sends your order to the kitchen. The mobile/robot waiter brings your order to your table. There are also staff frequently checking on you throughout your meal. Everything we ordered was delicious and well prepared. read more

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I came in here on a slow Tuesday morning and it was quite lovely. I had the Takoyaki which is some of the best I've had in the states. (I lived in Japan at for several years.) I also ordered the some hamachi sushi rolls followed by the spicy tonkotsu ramen. I love Izakayas and I believe this one was kind of able to invoke that same feel with the decor. The food wasn't over the top amazing but it was decent. Service was also fast and friendly. I spoke to the one server who was working that day and he was very personable. I would love to come back and try more of the menu items. read more

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Such a fun and unique dining experience! First of all, the interior is absolutely gorgeous and makes you feel like you've actually stepped into a small Japanese village with lanterns and cherry blossoms galore. The restaurant is also quite large with several sizable booths ranging from large groups to groups of 2. The booths are pretty enclosed, which makes it feel nice and private. The service is also really cool, with little robot carts that deliver your meal as items are prepared. Also, the menu is full of reasonably priced small plates ranging from about $5-15, so we were able to try a lot of different and interesting dishes. Overall, we ordered two of the mango rice beers (super sweet and very interesting lightly carbonated + fruity flavor). In addition, we got a shrimp fried rice, rainbow roll, spicy kani + shrimp inari sushi, beef tenderloin yakitori, yuzu cheesecake and chocolate mochi for a total of $80. This was a pretty reasonably priced dinner for essentially a 5 course meal with drinks for 2! Our favorite dishes were absolutely the inari sushi rolls--we had never tried those before and were super impressed with the flavors. We are so excited to come back and even try more options--the menu is so extensive! Only 2 drawbacks were when we went, there were not many beer options available. (Only Miller Lite/Coors Lite and the rice beer. I was hoping for a few more authentic options, especially as the rice beer wasn't my favorite.) Additionally, while the majority of the prices were reasonable based on serving size, the desserts were absolutely not. The yuzu cheesecake was one of the most expensive things we ordered, yet it was the smallest! Next time, we will skip dessert. read more

izakaya 68 - Shrimp and spicy kani inari sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Cockeysville, Maryland

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Cool Japanese restaurant. Where you order off your phone, after scanning the QR code on the table. You can order separately or for the entire table. After the order is placed, a robot will bring your food. You can add to the order as much as you like, and the robot will deliver. At the end you submit your bill and a real person will come and bring the bill. The menu has a good variety of foods, and the food is of good quality. It's a cool experience this type of dinning in. read more

izakaya 68 - Our waiter - Sushi Bars Near Me - Cockeysville, Maryland

The food did not impress me at all. We got take out on a weekday night. The chicken katsu was average and the yakisoba chicken noodles were underwhelming. I likely won't be going back any time soon. read more

Very mediocre sushi and the robots are just a gimmick. Half the time the servers follow the robots and remove the food. super limited wine options. I would say fun for kids, but wouldn't recommend for anyone looking for excellent sush. read more

Really nice addition to the Hunt Valley Area! The inside is super nice and well decorated. Most seating is covered booths so it allows for a more intimate feel. The whole menu allows for a taste of Japan as there are a variety of dishes that include rice and noodle dishes, sushi, yakitori, etc. so there is a bunch to try. Dishes range from the price point of $4.88 to $7.88 which allows you to get several dishes to try without breaking your wallet. Food was also easy to order, you scan a QR code at the table and it allows you to pick your dishes. There is also a physical menu at the table too. Dishes come to your table through a cute little robot. Note: this place is BYOB at the moment. Would recommend this restaurant as it is definitely a nice place to take a date or your family to try some new things. read more

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This is a super fun place to eat at. Love the interior design and delivery robots (they have names too) that can talk, and one of the robots even told the waitress she was in her way LOL Service- wonderful services, very attentive and timely. Food- we enjoyed all the sushi dishes we ordered, however some of the yakitori were not as good as expected, the meat came out dry and hard in some cases. Do like to recommend kitchen staff watch out on the time to leave the food on the grill, and don't grill them. Parking- ample parking in the parking lot. Easy to find at access. Do recommend by @winedinenvacay and will return to give it another try for an updated review afterwards. read more

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Do you tip a robot server? Izakaya 68 is a recent addition to the Hunt Valley restaurant community. There are small private cubical booths. The area is well decorated with nice water bottles, fancy plates of all shapes etc. they thought out the details. And the robot server takes care of you after ordering on your phone. Don't lose site if the fact that the food is really good! I got 4 appetizers that were unique and filling. About 7 dollars per item and we'll worth it. read more

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This place is so fun! The menu is shareable Japanese street food small plates. They have a pretty large menu. They are BYOB currently-- not sure if they are pursuing a liquor license and if that will change eventually. My husband and I visited on a Friday night around 6 and were seated right away. The inside has a nice ambiance. You can order on an iPad which is convenient. Everything is about $6.88- some items are priced a little over or under. We ordered a bunch! Fried oysters, scallop roll, two types of inari sushi, katsu curry, steak yakitori, bacon wrapped mushrooms, Mayo shrimp, and karaage chicken. Everything was delicious and it was fun to try a little bit of everything! Food is delivered by a little robot which is fun. Only downside was it took awhile for us to wrap up between receiving the check and someone coming back to collect payment. But I didn't take off any stars bc it's still their soft opening! I'll definitely be back and happy to have a new fun local spot. read more

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Pretty cool new spot! Soon as you walk it makes you feel like you're in Japan. Dishes are delivered by robot-servers. They're still fleshing out the kinks but it's cool to see these things in Maryland. Of all places, Cockeysville!! The majority of dishes are under $8. Worth the visit! BYOB* read more

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Loved the experience here!!! The restaurant was clean and the staff were awesome as well. The food was delicious, not a full size dinner spot, or your bill could get really expensive quick. Don't get me wrong they're reasonable price for the portion size, just don't bring a big appetite unless you're ready to spend. read more

izakaya 68 - Echo served the food. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Cockeysville, Maryland

We came to have a date night & were greeted with warm welcomes from our server & the host, and while it is true that the restaurant does have the automated server robots. The staff still comes and checks up and make sure that you have full drinks and that everything is really pleasant. I didn't take pictures of the cream croquettes, but those were also delicious and the cheese corn that was underneath them was absolutely divine. I could devour that on its own. we also had the chicken curry Katsu with rice, many different kinds of skewers that are all labeled in the pictures and honestly, the ambience is really really nice and intimate so it was a great place for date night but I can also see family having fun here. They also make absolutely divine desserts. read more

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i feel like this place deserves more customers. i love yakitori and it felt good finding somewhere in MD that had it as its main item. Absolutely delicious. And while i went alone my bill ended up being around $45 (which i expected i ate too much ). The seating was fine and while im impartial to the robot server, it's whatever. overall i would come back here with other people read more

I had ordered a late lunch. Perhaps that is why the sushi rolls were so sloppy. Every one of them appears to have been made by someone in training. They were ok as far as flavor, but kept falling apart. Not really a place I will be recommending. read more

We had the best experience here! I love small plates so that I can try lots of different things, so this was perfect for me. The prices and portion sizes were perfect. We're vegetarian, and the server helped us figure out what we could order. There were plenty of options. Everything we had was delicious... except the tofu salad wasn't for us. The cat robot is such a cute touch. Highly recommend for a fun lunch or dinner! read more

Wonderful Izakaya within the hunt valley centre. More casual, intimate atmosphere here with tables and booths all around. There are hostesses that will seat you and clear your plate, but your meals are actually bout out by robotic servers. Food menu itself was large, with options ranging from typical japanese bar fare like yakitori and sushi to larger portioned options like ramen and fried rice. They didn't have a sit down bar as far as I could tell, but they do have a full bar menu if you wanted drinks. Highly recommend their selection of Japanese whiskeys. Servings are on the smaller side but their price reflects that. Do NOT eat with your eyes here, as it will add up! read more

izakaya 68 - Sushi Bars Near Me - Cockeysville, Maryland

Great comfort food and an introverts dream! You order on your phone and a little robot brings out your order! Everything we ordered was super tasty and I feel like it's pretty reasonably priced. Loved the croquettes! Will definitely come back when I'm in the area again! read more

Fun robot servers, great food, beautiful location. The kids loved it! I can't wait to return!

We ordered a bunch of the curries and skewers from izakaya 68, which were served to us by the delightful robot cats. Beyond the robot server gimmick, the food was not great. It seemed greasy and cheaply prepared. Nothing stood out as particularly tasty. They did have jellyfish, which was unique (I haven't seen this on a menu in years), so that was a draw, but in general the food was just not that good. read more

izakaya 68 - Robot cat server - Sushi Bars Near Me - Cockeysville, Maryland

It was easy to find and there were lots of parking options. The inside was very decorated and filled with the Japanese feeling. I liked that the beer was light and the food was strongly flavored. The sushi was good, I wish thee were more pieces, and it was missing wasabi. The curry was a bit band but the pork katsu was very juicy. The robots were slow but the servers sped things up. A few times, I thought the robots would crash, but they were very polite to each other. And they got in the way a lot. read more