The place was busy and packed. Almost everything was good. The waitstaff was consistent and friendly. The wait was not that long if you came early and they tried their best to keep everything moving along. I ordered a lot so I'll rank them below. 1. Chicken Kaarage, 3.5/5, it was good, just lacked the crispy bite to its the chicken was juicy, a tad under seasoned. 2. Tonkatsu Shoyu Ramen, 3.5/5, it was flavorful but it lacked a depth to it and I think the shoyu overpowered the creaminess of the Tonkatsu. 3. Crispy Squid Legs, 5/5, it was delicious and flavorful. If it had a little spicy to it I think it would make it way better but that's my preference. 4. Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, 5/5, delicious. It had a good spicy to it and the rice was so crispy. I loved it. 5. Yellowtail Collarbone, 5/5, best thing I ordered. It was flavorful, juicy and I loved the dipping sauce bc it was tangy and added more depth to it. 6. A5 Wagyu Nigiri,3.5/5, it was good and tender but it lacked depth and it was one note. It wasn't nasty. I felt like maybe some kizami and some black salt would raise the bar for me. 7. Kobe Beef Skewer, 2/5, lacked a lot of flavor and did not have any seasoning the dipping sauce had no depth to it and did not elevate it. It was just a meat stick. read more

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If you hadn't heard about Mr Max, you likely wouldn't go in. So glad we did. Friendly and helpful, the staff is excellent, the food covers some basics but the treat is in trying new things. Octopus puffs were amazing! Great prices too! Highly recommend. Just remember to take your shoes off. read more

Mr. Max was awesome! The food quality was high and it felt like an authentic izakaya experience in Japan. The servers were kind and the prices feel reasonable. Only thing I'd recommend is going right when they open, otherwise it'll most likely be a decent wait. read more

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No other Japanese spot will make you feel as if you just stepped foot into an Izakaya in Japan. This small unassuming hole-in-the-wall is one of my favorite DFW gems. I love to take out of town friends here for a fun dining experience where you can share many unique small tapas-like dishes. Go crazy and order any dishes that entices you and you can't go wrong. A few of my all time favorite items here are the fried squid legs, chicken kaarage, grilled atka mackerel, grilled beef tongue, fried river shrimp, Kobe beef skewers, potato croquettes and their spicy Taiwan ramen! They usually have a board on the wall that lists their daily specials and I'd recommend ordering at least 1 item from there. This place is so popular that you can expect a 2 hour wait if you show up without a reservation. So I would highly suggest making a reservation maybe a month in advance by calling them. This may seem like overkill but trust me, it will be worth it! Side note: they will ask you to remove your shoes before being seated so make sure you wear some cute or clean socks! read more

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Felt like a genuine Japanese eatery. It was crowded and tiny but somewhat felt cozy. The vibe of the place felt so much fun even though it was pretty noisy. Great place to drink sake. We had to wait for almost 2 hours to get a table because of how popular the place is but it was worth it. We waited in our car the whole time and they will call you when your table is ready. Service was phenomenal. The waitresses always have a smile and are extremely friendly. Our drinks and food came out very quick. The portions were small enough for us to enjoy their other delicious food items. It was fun trying a variety of appetizers. I loved their takoyaki balls (octopus grilled balls). It was piping hot and had so much flavor. The grilled squid looked pretty on the plate but tasted okay. Their meat skewers were very delicious. I would absolutely come back to try their other dishes. read more

Mr Max - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

Delicious and very good service. Very authentic Japanese food. Had me fall in love with takoyaki again. Tatami tables were a bit different than what people would usually expect, and their lemon sour is more sweet than the ones in Japan. Would definitely go again, and worth the wait. read more

Every piece on the sashimi platter was fresh and delicious. The restaurant is cozy and there was a bit of a wait but worth it. Server was friendly and gave us a heads up that the kitchen was closing soon. Will definitely be back! read more

Mr Max - Fried Oysters 5 Kind Sashimi Udon Noodles (Hot) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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Mr. Max is by far one of the most well-rounded restaurants in the DFW area. Every single item on their menu is legit. You seriously can't go wrong with anything you get. You get top-quality food at such an affordable price. I got the Tonkotsu ramen, and it's full of umami flavor (it quite literally punches you right in the face when you take your first slurp). If I had to be picky, the chashu was a bit dry and thin. Like many people have already mentioned, the wait is a bit long. I get there 30 min before opening, and I'm usually one of the first people waiting in line. Calling to make a reservation is hit-or-miss, and they only take 3 people minimum reservations. read more

Mr Max - Tonkotsu Ramen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

Mr. Max is a hidden gem in Irving, TX. It's an authentic Japanese izakaya with a bar top and tatami seated table area. There is always a line, so either come early before opening or be prepared to wait. I went there twice when I stayed at the Atrium Hotel. The three appetizer chef choice was refreshing, smelt fish grilled to perfection, and Agedashi tofu fried well. The tonkotsu ramen was average, as the broth was more on the salty end. Next time when I'm back in Irving, I'll splurge on sashimi, karaage, and beef tongue! read more

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This is legitimately one of the best Japanese spots in Texas. The restaurant has limited seating so make sure you arrive early; we arrived 30min before opening. They have bar sitting and traditional tatami seating, which was refreshing. Literally all the dishes we ordered were delicious, some standouts were the 5 kind sashimi platter, takoyaki & karaage. Most dishes are small plate, pretty good for sharing between 2-4 ppl. The staff was friendly and the service was REALLY fast. We will definitely back to try the other options, especially the ramen. read more

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It was a fun experience! Taking off our shoes and technically sitting on the floor. I say technically because it's like a built in stage and you're not sitting criss cross which makes it more comfortable. The wait was outrageous! We waited about a little over an hour for my husband and I. The groups after us were waiting much longer between 1.5-2 hours! If the wait is that long it must be good! Granted, the restaurant is fairly small with limited seating. It just doesn't help that people don't have the common decency to see that people are waiting and they're just chit chatting after their meal... I think when a business has that long of a wait there should be a time limit. At least 2 hours max. Like how they do it at some Korean BBQ places or All You Can Eat Sushi. Just my personal opinion, so that everyone can get the experience of this cool restaurant. To save some time while we waited for our table my husband and I looked over the menu and listed all the items we wanted. I mean you're waiting this long already, might as well be prepared! I think our waitress also appreciated it as well. We simply just handed her my phone and she placed our order on her iPad! Within minutes each item we ordered came out fresh! Being productive has its perks! We ordered a ton of yummy food to try: 1. Takoyaki - it came out on a cast iron skillet still sizzling and hot! It was delicious and definitely made it order. Compared to the places here in Corpus, it was not lacking any of the toppings or flavors! 2. Beef Tongue - it was absolutely one of my favorite things that we ordered! It's a little intimidating at first, but it honestly taste just like steak. 3. Veggie Tempura - the batter was light and not greasy! The veggies were cooked wonderfully and didn't have that strange feeling after eating deep fried vegetables 4. Shu Mai - I would skip this next time. You can tell it was frozen, not the best. 5. Udon - my husband mainly wanted this, he enjoyed it but not something he would get again. 6. Grilled Squid - it was good, nothing too amazing. I saw a family order it and it looked good so I wanted to try it out. Could use a sauce to dip it with 7. Spam & Omelette Rice Sandwich - simple yet good! I think the sauce that it was served with was spicy mayo? Paired well together! 8. 5 Kind Sashimi - I have not tasted super fresh sashimi until now! The salmon just melts in your mouth like butter as it should! My husband's favorite was the tuna, the sweet shrimp was our least favorite. Our waitress noticed we didn't touch the shrimp, so she offered to have them fry it up for us and if you haven't had fried shrimp head before you should definitely try it! So much better!!! Such a great place for tapas style food, you'll leave content and the prices are really not that bar! The most expensive thing we ordered was the sashimi. Can't wait to come back in the future and try more of the yummy menu! read more

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I've been searching for good ramen in the DFW area, and there have been many places that are decent, I'm glad to have found Mr Max. While their ramen didn't blow me away, it is the best I've had in the metroplex. The tonkotsu is both rich and flavorful. I will vouch for the takoyaki and karaage! These are to die for and must tries when visiting. You can never really go wrong ordering these, but they are elevated at Mr Max. The takoyaki does not skimp on the octopus inside the batter and has the perfect balance of flavors in the savoriness, sweetness, and richness. Similarly, the karaage is well seasoned and comes with a great sauce to help cut through the oil. I've also never had chicken quite so juicy. Lastly, they have limited seating and a bar, so be sure to come early to grab a seat unless you're okay waiting for the restaurant to clear. Overall, great food and will be coming back! read more

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Mind blowing. Visiting dallas and was so happy that my friends brought me to this restaurant despite the longer than dallas-normal wait time. We had sashimi, squid legs, monkfish liver, salmon collar, clams with sake, chicken cartilage skewers, agedashi tofu, burdock salad, cucumber, and caramel pudding. All were absolutely delicious. Server was nice and attentive. Authentic ambiance! read more

Mr Max - Burdock Chip Salad with Sesame Dressing, tofu, cucumber - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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This is the most authentic Japanese dining experience I have had in Texas. It's very popular and very busy, so I don't go as often as I would like. But, if you are in the mood to deal with a wait, then it's well worth it. Also, I recommend going with 4 people so you can try and share lots of menu items. read more

Amazing food, very authentic, and cheap! Almost everything is under $10. This is the closest to true Japanese food and ambiance I have found outside of Japan. Small and you have to sit on the ground for a table (very traditional) so if you have a group make sure to make reservations or prepare to wait a while. They do have a small bar with seating, so if youre going just one or two people, that is an option as well. read more

Mr Max - Dining area - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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First of all, I commend all the staff on the amazing service! We felt like family coming into such a warm welcome! The food was so delicious! You must get their Kobe Beef Skewers! We also liked their Grilled Miso Marinated Salmon! Everything came out so quickly. Given the limited space, we never felt rushed to leave and they urged us to take our time and enjoy ourselves. A final thank you to all the staff! read more

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My brother was really insistent we had to try this particular Japanese bar, and he was so right... It was delicious. We had so many delicious treats, but it is not cheap. But it is so worth it. The ladies that were our weight staff around the bar were so attentive and made such good recommendations. I had the salmon bowl which was on special with salmon roll, and it was sashimi basically, and I also did the fresh mackerel which the lady advised me came out like sashimi the whole fish and then, when you're done with me, they'll take the bones and the head and deep fry it and then you can eat all that and I tasted that and that was delicious but my brother devoured it. I also had the yellowtail sashimi and the belly with ginger that was to die for. Seriously that stuff I would marry that poor belly. My brother had a whole list of things as well. That were also delicious like the fatty, tuna, and they smelt. He also had the peppers that were grilled, And the sea urchin. read more

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Warning that you need three or more in your party to make a reservation otherwise the average wait time is 2 hours. You can put your name down and they'll text you when your table is ready so plan for that. The ambience is amazing and the food too so it's absolutely worth the visit. I recomend the lightly salted beef tongue, the yuzu cheesecake, and the agedashi tofu. The staff is friendly and the food arrives fast, plus if you sit at the bar tables they just hand it straight to you from the kitchen. It's a fun experience. Unfortunately without the reservation the seating will be random so you might get the traditional japanese seats or the bar area. read more

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One the best gems in DFW. Mr. Max is truly hidden as it's tucked in a strip mall in a not-so-nice part of Irving. But once inside, you're transported to a tiny Itzakaya with only a handful of authentic tables sunked into the floor. The only other seating is bar seating. Aside from the location and limited space, Mr. Max is great in every way. The food and drink selection is excellent. The sashimi is some of the freshest in town, and the various cooked dishes impress. I highly recommend the karange (who doesn't love fried chicken), beef tongue, and tomato wrapped in bacon. The ramen is also exceptional, with one of friends declaring "that's f******* good broth" after just one sip. Mr. Max is great for groups and dates, but it is a small dish kind of place. Don't expect to order a plate for yourself and easily split the bill. And like other tapas style places, the bill can get steep pretty quick. But unlike some other small plate spots, the dishes are all high quality and the overall feel and atmosphere are authentic Japanese. It's you're willing to make the trek to Irving, Mr. Max is definitely worth it. And if you're a Japanese food/culture fan, Mr. Max is a must try. read more

Words can't describe how much I love this place. The food is fresh and always amazing!! Staff is very good and have never let me down on recommendations. Seating is limited but if you get in it's a win.. read more

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Very popular spot to go but I see why! The Taiwan ramen was amazing and I could eat it everyday...the octopus appetizer was very unique and tasty. Definitely check it out if you are near by! read more

Mr Max - Taiwan Ramen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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Food was delicious, hot, and reasonably priced! Service was fast and friendly. There is some bar seating and about 4-5 other tables - a smaller restaurant but fits the ambience! It's great for smaller groups of 3-4 to hang, catch up, and order some small dishes to share! They also have ramen and udon. Call to reserve for groups 4+. Would come again! Favorites were takoyaki, yellowtail sashimi, and kobe beef! Chicken karaage was also yummy! read more

Mr Max - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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Mr. Max was suggested to us and we had to try it! Definitely try to make reservations or be prepared to wait. Located in the corner of a shopping strip in South Irving, you might miss it if you're not looking for it. Interior space is limited but worth the wait. We tried many different dishes and enjoyed each one! If you sit at the counter, you can see into the kitchen and watch food being prepared. The other tables have you seated on cushions for a more traditional feel. Will definitely go again! read more

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Can't rage enough about this place. First time trying it, it's been on my list for a while and finally came out for date night. We got a little too carried away I would say lol ordered about 10 dishes for just 2 small people haha not complaining though. My absolute favorite were the Japanese curry and another must is their crispy rice w/spice tuna, but truly everything is delicious. This place is a hidden gem. read more

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Everyone knows this place has 1-2 hours wait, sometimes even longer. We cleared our weekend evening schedule to come here to see what the hype was all about. We waited about 1.5hrs and got seated at the sushi bar. Never been to Japan, but the atmosphere definitely seem authentic as well as employees. We already had studied the menu while waiting so didn't take us too long to order. I think we ordered most of their best sellers: Tonkatsu Ramen, Chicken Karaage, 5 kinds of sashimi platter, A5 Wagyu nigiri, grilled squid, some desserts, and sake. I think Mr. Max is one of the best izakaya in dallas, but overall, it was good but not mind blowing. I can see myself coming here maybe once every 6 months if the wait was a lot shorter. But I think they take reservations so i will remember to plan ahead for next time. read more

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Food was mediocre. Ambience was nice. Service was meh. The girl that took care of us seemed like she was annoyed that we were ordering. Really tried to enjoy this place from all the hype, but definitely overrated. read more

holy smokes this place is straight fire. The ramen is peak Dallas TX. 10/10 recommendations

Heard lots of great things about this place but in the end did not live up to the hype for me. Tried the takoyaki, taiwan ramen, Kobe beef skewer, crispy rice spicy tuna, and the sashimi. I would say everything was decent but nothing was like oh I'll come here again for it, more underwhelming. The service is great which I can say that. I would say the sashimi is fresh and the vibe is cool. Again it was a cool experience but the food did not live up to the hype for me. read more

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I don't know this place is still open for business. Four of us drove all the way to this location after we reviewed the opening hours in Yelp, and found out that there was no light and door was locked on Jan 20, 2025 and there was no posting to say 'they closed for what'. read more

We got there at 6pm on a Saturday and the wait was 1 hour (they take down your number and call you when table is ready so you don't have to wait there). The place is very small. You're seated at the bar most likely if just 2 people. The food came out fast and hot off the grill. Overall the food was good. Will probably try their Ramen next time. read more

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I made a quick stop during my business trip and this place exceeded my expectations. The flavors of each dish were on point, and it was clear that the kitchen staff really takes pride in what they do. I got the beef tongue, kobe beef skewers, takoyaki, pork cutlet, salmon sashimi, and the miso ramen (this was reminiscent of Rokurinsha at the Tokyo Central Station). They were all fantastic and freshly made. I will definitely be back with my family next time. Worth a visit! read more

I thought people were exaggerating when they said Mr. Max was one of the best restaurants in the area, but now I agree with them! Such a delicious and authentic izakaya -- no other place comes close! What we ordered: Fried Oysters, Tako Wasabi, Chicken Karaage, Cold Udon Noodles, Grilled Miso Marinated Salmon, 5-kind Sashimi, Spicy Cod Roe Rice Sandwich, Yellowtail Collar The Yellowtail Collar was my favorite and is a must-try in my opinion -- the fish is buttery, and the sweet/salty sauce pairs really well with it. It costed around $15 the day we went, but you should ask your waiter what the current MKP is. read more

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Recommend the sashimi, karage, yellowtail collar, beef skewers, and agedashi tofu. Everything was scrumptious. Finished off dinner with a yuzu cheesecake. read more

This place is a must try - the food was incredible. The small plates are reasonably priced and the quality is unmatched. The service was incredibly quick and the staff was very friendly. They had Japanese decor inside the restaurant and made me feel like I was in a restaurant in Japan. Loved every second can't wait to come back. read more

A big NOPE ... Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Found this place via an article online for the best yelp restaurants. This was only place on the list in North Texas and it happens to be right the street from me. We tried to visit this place once before, but the wait was too long. This time around we got there at 415pm (they open at 500pm). We waited outside in this 100 heat wave for 45 min. I was hoping it was going to be worth the wait in the heat with no shade. Once we got in, it is small. Very small. Only fits 24 people at a time. There is some charm to the place and it's comfortable. We order their "homemade" japan pork curry, beef bowl, shrimp tempura, pan fried pork belly with soy ginger, Kobe beef skewers and their grilled mackerel. The curry was just average and cold. Nothing amazing about it. The rice was mushy too. Felt like we were eating leftovers. Was not good at all. The beef bowl was a joke. Just shredded beef and rice that was bland and more mushy rice. Shrimp tempura was also bland and nothing amazing about it. The pan fried pork belly was another joke, it came sautéed not fried and covered with sauce that was way too sweet and overwhelmed. the flavor of their so called pork belly. The steamed rice was also mushy. The Kobe beef skewers was the worse. Greasy, chewy and no flavor at all. They need to be honest and stop calling this Kobe beef. It is definitely not Kobe beef. It was the worst thing we tried. The only good thing we enjoyed was the big cup of cold ice water (since we were baking in the heat for 45 min ) and a bottle of Kirin beer. Leaving the place, I asked my wife "what do you think", Her reply was simply "Nope". Uno China down the street would hav been a better choice. This was bad and huge disappointment. I don't get it, maybe we ordered the worst items on their menu? Either way this was probably the worst visit I have had in years. I cannot recommend this place. Don't believe the hype, I didn't taste it at all. Don't waste your money. We should have went and got crab legs instead. read more

Our company opened a new plant by this area and every single time I have to travel here, there is no other place I go to except for Mr Max! Authentic Japanese cuisine served! Their Tonkatsu ramen is to die for! Everything on the menu tastes like heaven! read more

Mr Max - Fried Squid Legs Salmon Sashimi Tonkotsu Ramen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

I love mr max! This place is great for an intimate dinner. Coming right off the flame grill this dish was very delicious! Perfectly cooked and beautifully charred off the grill! No rubbery taste at all! You guys know I LOVE LOVE my seafood! 10/10 read more

Mr Max - Grilled squid - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

Mr. Max is in a random strip mall tucked away and easy to miss. From the outside it looks like they're not even open. Don't let any of that fool you. Mr Max is serving up the best Japanese cuisine in the area. The Sashimi plate was fresh and the quality was outstanding. I was even surprised with the flavorful Tonkatsu ramen, albeit a little too oily for me. Service wasn't particularly good or bad. No nonsense and straight to the point which is fine with me in this setting. We dined in at the sushi bar. As far as booze, options are limited to a few beers and saki. If you're in the area this is a nice find to satisfy your sashimi or ramen craving. It's always a crap shoot with pictures older than 6 months linking to reviews. If they don't link, find my pics to get a better idea of what I ordered. read more

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My husband and I came here at 5:45pm on a Tuesday evening and only had a five minute wait to sit at the bar! There are probably 30 seats in the restaurant, so if you come with more than 2 people, definitely be prepared to wait. We decided to order a lot of small plates and try a bunch of things and that was 100% the right decision. We had the karaage, takoyaki, shumai dumplings, potato salad, and Taiwan Mazesoba. The shumai were the smallest we've ever had but were full of flavor. Takoyaki is my favorite food and the dish here did not disappoint! The potato salad was served cold and had some chunks of potato with a slight kick, so delicious and a perfect pairing for the hot foods we ordered. The Karaage was fine and better with the sauce, but very juicy and not dry at all. I loved the mazesoba, it was a tiny kick and every bite was full of flavor. The guys around us both had ordered the 5-kind sashimi and beef rice bowl, so I'll have to be back to try these dishes! There's parking in the giant lot and spots around the restaurant, but I cannot recommend enough to either come very early or very late so you're not waiting a long time. read more

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Favorite restaurant in DFW. Great food and ambiance. Highly recommended. Well deserved 5 star. read more

Mr Max - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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