Jinzen might have the best fried rice in STL and the vibes are cute and cozy. We love going here and are always greeted with friendly staff and a beautiful interior. The fried rice is a must!! The squid is also our go-to appetizer, but you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. This time, we were a bit indecisive on entrees so we stuck with 2 appetizers and the fried rice and still had leftovers! read more

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The place itself is really cute but I was disappointed in the food flavors. I will recommend getting the popcorn chicken though. It was pretty good but the ramen was lacking. The noodles were too much and soup was under seasoned. We love spicy food so we asked for more hot sauce which didn't really help. The volcano fried rice was sweet actually which was very overpowering. Service is good, the people are really nice. I just wish the food was up to the expectations I had. read more

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Jinzen is WOW! Every time I go here I've had something different and it has always been amazing. This most recent visit was during Clayton's restaurant week. There was a course offering so my partner and I tried it out. Starting off with the crab dip was good and I'm glad there were others with us to share it. They gave such a huge portion! The potstickers were my preference :) then the RAMEN, WOW! A big, beautiful bowl filled with flavorful delicious ingredients. 10/10. Service was food and the ambiance is always such a vibe. They do a good job with keeping each table separate and maximizing on space without feeling cramped. Their patio is such a vibe when the weather is nice. read more

Jinzen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

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Always a good experience! Good food reasonably priced. Quick and friendly! Can't go wrong with the shrimp app and bimibap bowl read more

Jinzen - L6.Bibimbap and A5.Takoyaki(6) and shrimp app - Asian Fusion Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

I'd give the food a 3.5/5. For the mentaiko udon, the portion was pretty small for the price I paid so I left still hungry and the sauce wasn't as flavorful as I would've liked. It was also more oily than creamy than I expect for a mentaiko cream. They were generous with the prawns though which is a plus. My friends got the volcano fried rice and enjoyed it but were surprised it was much sweeter than it was savory. The service here is really great. Our waitress kept coming back to check in on us and cracked jokes all the time. Wasn't crowded at all on a Thursday night and we were seated immediately. Overall, a decent place for Japanese food in Saint Louis but I'm not sure I'd come back unless I had extra money to spend. read more

Jinzen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

What a cute interior! Cherry blossoms line the ceiling, little details like darling chopstick holders and salt and pepper shakers add to the atmosphere. We started with mustard cucumber (so fresh, NOT to be missed), wasabi shrimp (glazed prawns on crunchy little rice crackers - yum), spring rolls (standard fare), and chicken gyoza (delicious little dumplings with a vinegar sauce). My dining partner had the Mentaiko Cream Udon which was a thick noodle with a creamy seafood based sauce with large shrimp. Delightful! I had the bibimbop which had a lovely sauce and had a generous serving of rice. I would have enjoyed a few more veggies - they were so flavorful. Our server was attentive and helpful. read more

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1/2 - A Great Homecoming Meal in St. Louis It's always nice coming home to St. Louis. My sister and I both love dining out and writing reviews, and after scrolling through Yelp, I came across a video of the Volcano Fried Rice at Jinzen, located at 8113 Maryland Ave. in Clayton. We had to try it for ourselves. We arrived after 6:00 p.m., which meant free parking, always a plus. Both the exterior and interior are beautifully designed with a modern Asian fusion aesthetic that carries through to the menu. I was impressed by how tight and focused the menu was, and it was also very reasonably priced. Our server was very attentive and made sure we always had water. We also had the pleasure of meeting the owner, who is Taiwanese and incredibly welcoming. He shared some great stories and made us feel right at home. My sister ordered the house signature salad, which she found very flavorful. She especially loved the dressing, though she wasn't completely sold on the corn since it's not something you usually see in salads. Overall, she still really enjoyed it. She also ordered the tempura vegetables, which were perfectly breaded and delicious. I tried the cucumber appetizer, which was refreshing and paired with a great sauce. Of course, I ordered the Volcano Fried Rice, made with carrots, peas, onions, and chicken. When it arrives, the pan is wrapped in a thin layer of egg around the perimeter, and your server mixes the egg into the rice tableside for a great presentation. It was absolutely delicious, and I completely understand why it's their standout dish. For dessert, we had the strawberry Japanese cake, which felt like the perfect ending to the meal. It reminded me of a strawberry shortcake, not too sweet and not too bland, just right. Overall, this was a fantastic experience. The food was great, came out quickly, and was served hot and fresh. The staff and ambiance were both excellent. I'll definitely be back, especially to try their ramen. For my first review of the year, I truly have no complaints. 4.5 out of 5 stars. read more

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I really enjoyed my visit to Jensen! Came here during the week for lunch and it was not crowded or busy so that was great! Plenty of street parking outside the restaurant. The restaurant is really cute and intimate. I love their gold chopsticks and utensils! I appreciate the separate menu items for non-meat eaters. If you are a Ramen lover and don't eat meat, this is a perfect place for you! They were accommodating with another dish that I wanted that had me in it. I got to try the volcano rice, which was very tasty And filling. Plenty to take home. This was a great meal with the added bonus of some hot tea to go with it! read more

Jinzen - L2.Spicy Miso Ramen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

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The food was good and enough to share. Service was quick and speedy as my friend and I had a musical to attend at the Fox! Waiter was very attentive. ONG the decor was so cute and quaint! I love the paintings and flower ceiling! There's street parking but with the snow it was difficult to navigate. read more

Jinzen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

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Went to Jinzen in Clayton for a weekday lunch with a friend and had a great experience! My friend ordered the Volcano Fried Rice, served sizzling on a hot plate -- the server poured the egg around it and cooked it right at our table. Such a treat to watch, and he loved the flavor too. I ordered the Bibimbap (vegan, without egg) -- delicious, hearty, and full of flavor. We also tried Ramune, the Japanese soda, which brought back nostalgic memories of my grandparents' home in Mundra, Kutch. The ambiance was beautiful -- bamboo frames and cherry blossoms gave it a calm, Japanese-inspired feel. Great food, friendly service, and a memorable dining experience. Highly recommend! read more

Jinzen - Drink - Asian Fusion Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

Jinzen is one of my favorite Asian fusion restaurants! The service is always great, the vibe is awesome, and the food is delicious! My go to: Volcano Fried Rice and Black Garlic Steak Bites read more

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One of my favorite spots in Clayton! The ambiance is great and there's a variety of Asian food from bibimbaps to ramen. There's plenty of vegetarian-friendly options as well. The desserts are also delicious so if you have space, would highly recommend trying those as well. Great service and overall a great place to grab some food! read more

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My family and I had just landed. This was our first meal after the airport and we were starving! This was close by to our hotel and to be honest, it was a God send! The exterior and the interior of the restaurant is beautiful and clean. There is street parking right in front. The customer service was very welcoming and nice. Water was always refilled without even asking. They answered all our questions about the menu. We were so hungry so we ordered quite a bit. The vegetarian tempura was interesting. I don't think I've had so many different mushrooms in a vegetarian tempura before. The consistency was also very chewy and it was hard to tell what vegetable we were eating. The sauce was just straight up soy sauce and made it pretty salty. The chicken gyoza was probably my favorite item from this meal. The wrapping was thin and not too thick. They were crispy and the filling was perfectly seasoned, juicy and delicious. The garlic steak bites were a great appetizer as well. They even light the bottom of the block to keep it sizzling. The sauce for the steak was really good and the server gave us extra to use for other food items. Be warned that there is a lot of garlic pieces with this. The bulgogi deopbap had tender pieces of beef, a good amount of vegetables and rice. The bibimbap had thinner slices of beef and the fried egg on top. The sauce that comes with it gives it a kick of spice. The volcano fried rice is definitely the star of the show. They bring the plate hot and sizzling. Then they pour the egg fresh and mix it as it's still cooking on the hot plate. The chicken pieces in this dish were tender. The cashews and peanuts gave it a good consistency. Make sure to mix it well so not too much of the rice gets too burnt. The vegetarian ramen had a good broth. The nori, tofu and veggies came together to make a great entree. The noddles were a good consistency. They were not too soft or hard. We decided to get the mochi ice cream and matcha tiramisu for dessert. The mochi ice cream was a good size that was shareable. The mochi was strawberry and they paired it with matcha ice cream. The matcha tiramisu was pretty strong in matcha flavor, but good. The consistency was dense, but moist. The matcha sticks were a little stale. The portion sizes here are decent and you can easily share with the group that you're with. They have a good variety on the menu to satisfy both meat eaters and vegetarians in your party. I would definitely recommend this place to get your Korean food fix when you're visiting the area. Please support this local business! read more

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Fast service during lunch time. They were medium busy. Nothing crazy but also not empty. Their wasabi prawns and chicken gyoza were amazing. The decor for the place is very cute. Will definitely come again to try ramen. read more

You can never go wrong with their tonkatsu ramen. I decided to be adventurous this trip and ordered the Mentaiko Cream Udon this time and... I LOVED IT! It has shrimp and a creamy fish sauce that kind of makes it feel like an Italian fusion dish. The udon noodles were so thick and perfect for slurping. As always the service is excellent and you get seated quickly and lots of water refills. It's super cozy too and well decorated. Loved my visit here again! read more

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It was an Asian fusion restaurant, and everything was honestly amazing. Would definitely come back and would highly recommend. Service was also excellent and they had a beautiful atmosphere. read more

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If I could give a BONUS Star I would! Everything was top tier from the moment you walked inside. It's decorated so cute! We were acknowledged and greeted immediately. The Black pepper Garlic Steak Bites are worthy of all the pictures and praise! Steak is Bites are tender and wonderfully garlicky. As was the Volcano Fried rice!! I can't wait to go back and try other items! read more

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I see so many reviews of this restaurant, I decided to give it a try myself. I made a reservation but upon arrival it was empty so I was seated immediately despite my appointed time , I just like to be prepared in case it was packed. Parking I wasn't too keen on either , after circling around a couple of times I finally was able to snag a spot, but I wish it was a private lot or definite area to park to at least know when you leave your vehicle it won't be ticketed. Building was well lit, spacious and open. Staff were friendly. Anna was our server , she was helpful and friendly. My sister and I shared the volcano rice which was served to us at a table with egg frying on the side. I wish it was spicier , presentation was nice . Popcorn chicken and spring rolls were very good. We shared an Jinro strawberry alcohol beverage which was a different taste that I wasn't sure if I liked or not. It was bland but strong . Pricing was reasonable, restroom was in need of tlc. I tried , I conquered now I'm moving on . read more

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I stopped by Jinzen for the first time for some takeout since I had heard great things. I ordered online and saw the volcano kung pao chicken rice was marked as a favorite so I added that to my cart with some spring rolls and a Thai tea. The wait time for takeout is only 20 min and I arrived a little before that finding it was already done. I love that you can get the Thai tea to go with a pop top for traveling vs a straw. The spring rolls were very crunchy with a great dipping sauce. The rice was ok it didn't have a lot of flavor which I was expecting from the description. The serving size is generous however which is good given the price. I would probably order the ramen next time I go when the weather isn't quite so hot outside. read more

Jinzen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

3.5 Good Asian fusion place, mostly Korean and Japanese. Their service was god. The ambiance was nice, they definitely pay attention to details from the table decor to their chopstick holder. Tried several dishes, they were good but nothing memorable. The only stand out was their volcano fried rice. Definitely would come back for that. read more

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Jinzen is an oasis in the Midwest desert offering Asian food. There's not too many places in middle America that meets this level of authenticity, presentation, and taste. The semi-private booths were nice and the atmosphere was lively. We ordered the Volcano Fried Rice with kung pao chicken, peanuts, peas, carrots, and onions served on a hot iron pan with egg that's cooked and scrambled by the waitress at the table. It tasted better than most fried rice; the ample amount of freshly cooked eggs was spectacular because I'm generally looking for more eggs in my fried rice. Tonkotsu Ramen was a pork bone broth ramen with roasted chashu, tree ear, sprout, bamboo shoots, soy sauce, marinated soft boiled egg, nori, and green onion. The taste mirrored the version I'm used to at coastal cities and it was a warm fulfillment to my core. Finally the Black Pepper Garlic Steak included prime New York strip steak bites stir fried with black pepper sauce and garlic on a hot stone. The meat was soft and sweet; I've never eaten garlic straight up before but this dish made it taste like a potato hybrid. There were only several pieces which makes sense for the price, if the dish is shared with more than 2, I'd suggest ordering more for the table. I'd definitely be back when I'm in the area, in the meantime, keep them in business by supporting them. Major improvement would be a faster check out including receiving my tab, to go boxes, and running my card. It took over 20 minutes. read more

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I wanted to explore a new restaurant, so I decided to come to Jinzen, an asian fusion restaurant. The interior is decorated so cutely, including the table setup which had cute salt and pepper shakers, an a very pretty chopstick set. My party and I ordered the garlic steak bites, squid karage, signature tonkotsu ramen, and strawberry cake. The steak bites came on a stone plate with a flame lit underneath it and were sweet and chewy. The squid was fried nicely and seasoned well. The ramen broth was delicious and the pork slices were tender and easy to eat. Finally, the strawberry cake was fluffy and the cake frosting was nice and airy. Our service was excellent and our waiter was very attentive. The food came out quickly and the waiter came back frequently to check on how we were doing. This was a pleasant experience and I look forward to coming back. read more

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I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd try this place for lunch. Got the Tempura appetizer and Signature Tonkotsu Ramen. The tempura batter was too salty, thick and bready, and the tempura dipping sauce was too salty and one dimensional. I couldn't bring myself to finish it. The ramen was unfortunate. The noodles and broth were just warm but everything else was barely room temperature. There were 3 pieces of the world's smallest and thinnest chashu I've ever had in a bowl of ramen. The broth was also rather flat, and salty. The best thing about the lunch was the pickles on the side. Service was quick and efficient, ambiance was nice, slightly upscale. read more

Jinzen - L1.Signature Tonkotsu Ramen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

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We showed up here on a whim for date night and fell in love! The Feng shui, the plum green tea drink, the bimbimbap...all amazing! Our server was great and everything came out quick and delicious. We'll be back! read more

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This is a cute little spot in Clayton, Missouri that is great for lunch. The customer service was really good. We ordered the volcano fried rice, the garlic steak bites, and the lobster rangoon. ~Lobster rangoon- sweet as expected, serving temperature was lukewarm. Was pretty tasty. ~Garlic steak bites- I chose these because there were several reviews that said that they were a must have. Although there were garlic cloves served on the hot stone with the chicken, the actual garlic in the sauce could not be tasted. Also, although the steak bites were served on a hot stone, the serving temperature was lukewarm, like they'd been sitting. I was a bit disappointed because I expected a bigger flavor. ~Volcano fried rice- They cook the egg on the stone around the fried rice then mix it in the rice after cooked. This rice is sweet, and has a milder taste, despite the name. This was my favorite of the three, and there is plenty to take home, so there is definitely enough the share. All in all, wasn't super impressed with what I ate. However, the Ramen did catch my eye so I will return to try that. read more

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The food was okay. The beef ramen was very bland. The pork ramen had a lot more flavor. The volcano fried rice was pretty good. Still not the best ramen in town. read more

Jinzen - Volcano fried rice - Asian Fusion Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

Great experience at Jinzen in Clayton! The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented, and the service was friendly and attentive. Awesome atmosphere. Definitely a spot I'll be back to! read more

The food was great but the service was not the best. I had made a reservation for my party and my table was given to another group with the same name. And lots of food was missing for long periods of time and we needed to remind them we ordered said drink or appetizer. Restaurant is beautiful though and great for pictures read more

Had the chicken gyoza, A8.Sea Cucumber Mini Dumpling(8), and spicy miso. The gyoza was really good and flavorful, the miso was spicy but bland. The A8.Sea Cucumber Mini Dumpling(8) was just okay ? The space was nice though read more

Jinzen - L2.Spicy Miso Ramen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

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This place was everything I hoped it would be! I just say, the pictures online don't do it justice because it's absolutely beautiful inside. I went on Saturday afternoon as I decided it probably wouldn't be as busy and I could get a good feel of the restaurant. I was right, as it was only me and one other couple dining. Upon entry you can't help but notice the beautiful booths, the pink flowers and the glare from the sun really made me feel as I was in Japan. I was warmly greeted and sat in a booth. Within seconds, my server introduced herself and gave me water and asked what I'd like to drink. While browsing the drink menu, I was ecstatic to see they had Jinro cocktails, so I decided to get peach (since I've had strawberry and apple). I saw the menu before I got here and already knew I wanted to try the garlic pepper steak bites for an appetizer and possibly the volcano fried rice. Within a few minutes, my garlic pepper steak bites arrived. My server lit the flame at my table (which was really cool) and I watched as it kept my food hot. The steam was cooked perfectly! It was well seasoned and had a crispy outer coating. It was way better than I anticipated. The sauce is good as well. While I was apprehensive about the volcano rice, namely because I thought Kung Pao chicken was hot, she assured me theirs was not, in fact, it was sweet. The rice came out sizzling and she asked whether she wanted me to mix it or myself and I let her. The chicken was absolutely delectable and again, well seasoned. The rice was good but I felt like something was missing. I decided to put some of the sauce from my garlic pepper bites on it and it was delicious. For my last order of business, I got the spring rolls because I wanted to try one more thing. They were hot and fresh, but perfect as another meal highlight. After two rolls, I decided I had enough and asked for a box. The server was kind enough to box everything for me at the table and then handed my check. All in all, the service is spot on, the aesthetics are a sight for sore eyes and the food is incredible. I'll def. be back! read more

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Jinzen is such a gem! I had a great experience going for my birthday. We ordered tons of food for the table and it came out very quickly! Every dish was so unique and flavorful. I love the "show" of it for the steak and garlic bites and volcano rice. The service was impeccable. Our server left us try different liquors/ drinks before purchasing. I left them know I have a shellfish allergy and they assured they would use separate pans so I felt comfortable. The decor is so cute. I love the pink and boho vibes. Overall, great experience and would come again!! read more

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First visit for dinner with friends. Lobster Rangoon dip was delicious. Bulgogi and banchan were great. The prawns and ramen looked nice as well. Lovely ambiance and attentive service. read more

Jinzen - Dining area - Asian Fusion Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

Food was delicious and the staff is incredible. I've gone back three time so o can try different things on the menu. Everything has been great. read more

Jinzen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

Sizzling beef was delicious our group enjoyed a variety of entrees and they raved about all of them Very delightful zen experience Service was excellent read more

The Ramen was delicious! The service was just lovely and the environment is very welcoming! I will definitely come again!! read more

Jinzen - Traditional Ramen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

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The Japanese decor is cute and welcoming. The cat figure chopstick rest were adorable. Service was friendly, but the food failed to impress. Mango orange green tea $5 - Delicious flavored tea that they bottled in a clear can. Wasabi shrimp (8 pieces) $12 - The meal started off well with these delicious crispy savory and sweet shrimp bites, but went down hill from here. Spring rolls (4 pieces) $6 - Crispy on the outside, but a mushy mess on the inside. Volcano fried rice $15 - I had high hopes for this popular dish that comes out on a sizzling pan in which they pour the egg mixture to cook at the table. This rice dish was on the wet side and didn't have the pop of flavor I was looking for. .|\---/| | @_@ | ..\_^_/..2024 read more

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Went during restaurant week and the place was packed which was expected! You'd think when the place is packed, the food would come out hot because it's being made to order. My miso ramen was room temperature and lacked spice. I seen other yelpers say the same in their reviews. Disappointing. The shrimp appetizer was good and the thai tea was good as well! The dessert was underwhelming. I hope to see them improve their food. I'd go back for appetizers and tea. read more

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My partner and I finally made it out to Jinzen. A great experience. We went for a late dinner on a Saturday night. The interior is bright and very peaceful. Panda accents adorn the table in the chopstick holders and salt and pepper shakers. A great touch. We got the takoyaki, Ramen, and Volcano fried rice. We stepped out of our comfort zone with the takoyaki, and it was superb. The breading was great and the inside was tender and flavorful. They had some sort of dry flake garnishing which I enjoyed. It almost tasted like jerky but sliced paper thin. Perhaps dehydrated or fried prawn skins. The ramen was great. Our pork was seared to perfection. the ramen had the perfect amount of sesame. I was in heaven. The best was probably the volcano fried rice. They fry the egg tableside. The rice is crispy with a beautiful sweet and sour sauce. It is delicious. The cashews offer some wonderful texture. My partner and I were on cloud 9. Overall, a super cute spot for casual date nights or happy hours. It appears a table ordered some lemon drops, but they did not have a cocktail menu. Only wines, beer, soju. read more

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I came here before for dinner and it was great! I decided to recommend this place for a work lunch. When I arrived service checked in on us for drinks and then apps shortly after. We ordered the steak bites and veggies spring rolls for appetizers. The steak was brought out on a fun wooden stove with a fire hot iron plate. It was a nice touch for presentation! The spring rolls were airy, delicate, and tasty as well. For my main I ordered the pork Ramen. It was all very delicious except for the pork I could taste the grill more than the actual pork for some reason but it wasn't that bad of taste just a little strong to go in the ramen. Anyways I would look past that because everything else was so nice and clean! I'd recommend this place to anyone wanting to try something new or get a nice bowl of Ramen in Clayton. read more

Jinzen - Pork Ramen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

friends and I came for Clayton restaurant week - it was an amazing deal! highly recommend. It came with 8 options of 3 courses. I started with a house salad. I thought it'd be pretty basic but it was actually very good. Lots of textures. I don't usually go for salad dressing but theirs was really tasty. My entree was vegetarian ramen. It was good but overly salty. I know ramen is always salty, but this was probably the saltiest I've had. It overwhelmed the flavors of the other ingredients. My dessert was a crepe cake and it was pretty good! Very light. The ambiance is super cute and nicely decorated. Unique, comfortable booths and tables separated by a bamboo style structure. It isn't a huge place, but the decor made it feel roomy even with all the tables around us filled. Our server was SO kind and sweet. We were feeling goofy and she put up with our wackiness. She joined in on some convos, but was never intrusive. She made the experience so much fun. I wish I remembered her name for a shout out. She was young and talked with us about anime :) read more

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