This place is amazing !! But you definitely have to get there at a great time. Also expect a wait but it is well worth the weight don't be folded. The food was so flavorful and we were able to share. I love the way everything is set up here. read more

MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT OF ALL TIME!! Pro tip: the line starts outside at 4:45 pm, so get there early if you don't want to wait! The most authentic tasting and fresh food in DFW. I can't rave enough about it... you should definitely try it for yourself! I've tried the kobe beef skewers, sashimi platter, hot udon, ramen, curry rice, and the 3 sampler appetizer plate! I can't wait to try even more. read more

THIS IS AN S TIER SPOT. I tried to come by three times (there was a 2+ hour wait each time) but finally got in around opening time and lemme tell you, worth the effort. I just kept ordering (dangerously) because this food was fantastic. Here's a lowdown: - Miso Soup: more smokey in flavor, delicious palate opener for cheap - Kobe Beef Skewers: while the ones I've had in Japan were more buttery / melt-in-your-mouth, this came real close. Yum. - 3-Type Appetizer: it's chefs choice so it changes regularly; they're small bites, but so fresh and great variety. - 5 Type Sashimi Platter: this absolutely ruined all other sushi for me...because of how ridiculously good this plate was. Actually fresh (soft, tender and THICC cuts), and the shrimp was so sweet. I will no longer accept any quality of sushi below this (just kidding...but forreal this plate was stellar). - Takoyaki: beats any I've had around Dallas. Pretty authentic taste and soft You've gotta come by; this sushi is the best I've had in this city. It's pretty small inside, so come by near opening hours for a best shot to avoid a long wait. I will be back!! PROS: - amazing variety of options on the menu - sushi and cuts are soft, tender, fresh and thicc - takoyaki is a must - small bites offer much variety - friendly and polite service CONS: - none :) read more

Mr Max - 5 Type Sashimi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

Awesome ambiance and one of the most unique menus I've ever seen. Going here you also get the choice of a cheaper hearty meal or ordering a million delicious little dishes. Arrived at open and there was a line out the door. read more

We have zero friends, so being able to make a reservation for 4+ just didn't seem like an option for us. We resorted to arriving around 4:35p to the restaurant which opens at 5p. There were a couple of cars parked at the front of the restaurant with their engines running. They had decided to just start the line at the door. Within 5-10 minutes, there were at least 20 people waiting in line behind us. By the time the restaurant opened, there were 30+. I highly recommend arriving at least 20 minutes early if you want a chance at being part of the first seating. We were seated right at five, and the waitress took our order a few minutes after seating. In hindsight we should have paced out our order, but we ended up getting most of our dishes all at one time, which was a lot! Haha We tried the: -takoyaki - tasty but way too much for two people, if you're ordering a lot! Had nice little bits of octopus inside the balls and a nice sauce - salmon, yellowtail and otoro sashimi - so fresh and delicious, one of my favorite parts of the meal - Hamachi collar - my other favorite part of the meal - so tender and tasty, especially with the light sauce - egg omelet, very simple but surprisingly delicious - agadashi tofu - it was good, perfectly fried and light cubes of tofu served with a light broth, but not sure if I'd order it again - chicken karaage - very solid dish, very juicy - beef tongue - it was fine, but not remarkable. Not sure why it's so hyped I think this place is worth visiting if you don't have to wait more than half an hour. The sashimi is a steal, and I'll definitely be returning for more! read more

My favorite place to eat of all DFW hands down. The people are great, the food is great, can't wait to go back after the renovations. read more

By far the most authentic bar restaurant in town IMO, both in terms of food quality (and variety) and the ambience. Arrive at least 15 min early before it opens for dinner (at 5 pm) to avoid the long wait time. read more

Mr Max - Most items are below $10, but enough for a party of 3 to share. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

TLDR: probably the best food experience I've had so far in DFW I came not expecting much and left just so happy and content with my experience. The interior is pretty small, but I felt like I had travelled to another country. Although the wait was long (we came 6:30 on a Wednesday and waited about 1.5 hours), it was definitely worth it. We got a variety of different foods, all priced at a fair price and brought in a timely manner. The portions were exactly what I want when I'm ordering food, which is smaller than the average huge American portions. Each dish tasted so good - not too salty or sweet, but each just right for you to savor each bite. Even the dessert was so good, and I almost never order dessert at a restaurant. I'm so sad I found this place now, but I will definitely go back again and again! read more

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Ramen was excellent full of flavor and I may order again. However their attention to details was lacking as I asked for no green onions or egg as I have a slight allergy. Additionally I ordered the Yuzu cheesecake which cost $6.50 and it was unbelievable small - see pic. Under whelmed as it's a little pricy and lacked the finesse. read more

Mr Max - Yuzu Cheesecake and there is a nickel referencing size. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

Probably some of the best Japanese food you can get in the DFW area. We got fresh fish from their specials menu (fatty tuna, uni) as well as more traditional izakaya fare (shishito, smelt) and a pitcher of smooth hot sake to wash it down. Highly recommend reservations if you wanna go since they are often crowded, but once you get it service is nothing but friendly and more than willing to provide recommendations. The atmosphere is amazing - feels just like a cozy izakaya in the streets of Tokyo! Overall; highly recommend Mr Max - it's pricy, but well worth it! read more

Mr Max - Uni - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

Heard that this was one of the best restaurants in Arlington from a friend who lives in the area, so had to give it a try Ordered an assortment of dishes from the menu (small plate style), and everything tasted good to amazing. Really liked the karaage and takoyaji read more

Mr Max serves the most authentic Japanese experience you can find in dfw. They have an amazing menu of small plates and I really recommend you to not overlook agedashi tofu because this is like the one place that does it right!! Other great choices are the juicy karaage, refreshing tako wasabi, or filling Japanese curry. The interior brings you straight to Japan with warm wooden architecture and Japanese aesthetics to cover designs on the walls The place is small and is extremely popular so anticipate either waiting awhile or coming before opening time to secure a spot! read more

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I have had Mr. Max bookmarked so long that I just had to get it checked off. So I went and of course there is a wait because this place is pretty popular. Not gonna lie, I started to go somewhere else cause I do not like waiting when I am hangry, but I stayed and was glad I did. They called me in as my table was ready and the seating is almost traditional style sitting. I am too old and out of shape to sit with my legs tucked up underneath me. I went old school criss cross applesauce. Anyhoo, I ordered the Kobe beef skewers, Taiwan ramen, and potato croquettes. Let us start with the Kobe beef skewers. When I say you really didn't need a dipping sauce because the beef stood out on it's on cause it was that tender and flavorful. However, I did dip the beef in the sauce, I topped it with the green onions and it was tasty. I'm mad I only ordered 1. On to the ramen! I don't know how something so simple as ramen could be so delicious. I could eat a bowl of their Taiwan ramen everyday. The noodles were cooked perfectly and held on to the broth well. Last, but not least, the potato croquettes. Oh my! Talk about being perfectly crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside. I wanted to do a backwards free fall in that croquette it was so creamy. I'm not sure what that dipping sauce was that accompanied the croquettes, but it was good. It almost made the croquette's taste like there was meat in there. I will be coming back, but I will make sure to be there before 5pm because I don't want to wait for food that is this good and authentic! read more

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I love coming here for authentic Japanese foods. My favorites are the grilled squid, eel omelette, & the beef tongue. We tried a new menu item, a salmon collar, & it was perfect! Can't wait to come again! read more

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Limited seatings a total hole in a wall type of spot. The food is AMAZING!!! Service is also excellent and the only downside is the limited seating and wait time to be seated since this is a small place. read more

Mr Max - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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Food was delicious and quick! They don't have a ton of sushi options. If that's what you're really hoping for, you'll need to go elsewhere. However, all the plates we ordered were phenomenal! read more

Honestly I'm not sure how to start off this review. I just want to say delicious and be done with it cause that's literally what sums up mr max. I've never been to Japan but I can only imagine this is how the eatery's are set up. It was the first Japanese place I've been to that didn't sushi you to death. Matter of face I don't think there was any sushi at all. Just traditional Japanese appetizers and meals. There's lots of appetizers because as the waitress explained in Japanese culture they eat lots of little sides before the main course. Not only did I get good food I got an authentic Japanese experience and that's priceless. It's small it's intimate and it's amazing. I tried the fried squid legs the beef tongue and my main dish was the ramen. I also had taste of other sides but I cannot remember the name at the moment. The fried squid legs were fried to perfection with great flavor and texture. It tasted really fresh like they just caught it. The ramen tasted like typical ramen it was good and I got the extra egg can't have ramen without egg yum. We were there with some awesome fellow yepers thanks for the great restaurant pick I would not have found this place without you. read more

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I was in Plano and deciding whether or not I really wanted to get dinner. Did I really want it? Fine sure maybe let's do it! I looked at pics and saw good Japanese food in the pics, so off I went, trying to get here before last call. When you peer in from the outside, it kinda looks like an abode and someone is welcoming you into it. Kinda cool. Enter the door and you'll see a bar area and some seats, but these are not- well actually.... they kinda are - your "traditional" seating. Literally. If you get a table, kick your shoes off, climb up and enjoy your table. Now my dear friend, what exactly do you get? Everything looks good! Well... I kinda got lucky. Tonkotsu shoyu (half size) - $5.50. They offer half sizes! SO if you want to try here and there not in a huge group, you can! The broth here was really good, flavorful, and sturdy noodles. You can taste the pork. They also have mini Japanese curry ($5.95) which I just had to get. It's a creamier-type of curry but still packs a lot of flavor and a smidgen of kick to it- it's better than the options you get at Curry House hahahahahaa. I also went along and got some salmon nigiri as well- couldn't believe that even in Dallas they could melt in your mouth. Their quality here is top notch! And remember, I was on the fence of seeing whether or not I wanted to get food or not so you can bet that I was really full after this! They do have other options (noodle, rice, hot appetizers, seafood/meat from the grill, tapas, salad, blue fin mwhaha), but choose as you go and see what you want! Someone sitting next to us made a reservation for the following dinner- something I found kinda funny but believable because it is that good. Mr. Max brings their Japanese culture and look over in Dallas and it delivers. read more

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Haven't been there in at least 20 years and nothing has changed!! Amazing food, service, and great experience!!

Dallas is blessed to have Mr Max as a dining option, and it is my absolute favorite restaurant in this city to show to friends! Highly recommend calling ahead for reservations since they are only open for dinner (5 to 9 PM, closed on Sun) and have limited seating. The hospitable staff, the unique interior, and most importantly the diverse range of authentic food you get to taste in one meal are unbeatable. My favorite things to order are... - Takoyaki: 7 balls of deliciousness, a must order - Yellowtail Collar (Hamachi Kama): one of my favorite Japanese dishes, which they execute very well - Karaage Chicken: never had bad Karaage before, but their chicken is just extra juicy and flavorful - Potato Croquette: the fluffiness of the interior in contrast with the crispy exterior paired with the sauce is perfection - Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen: flavorful broth and noodles on par with places specializing in ramen - Beef Tongue - Agedashi Tofu - Beef Bowl - 3 Appetizers of the Day - Kobe Beef Patties - Sashimi Platter/any sashimi (if you don't mind the extra $$) - anything listed on the pieces of paper on the wall that look interesting read more

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I had high expectations for this place as someone who reads every review before going to a restaurant and everyone of them were met. We (Party of 2) made it there 10-15 minutes before opening and there was already long line outside waiting for the place to open on a Saturday in the Texas heat. If you don't make it at least 30 minutes before opening, be prepared to wait an hour. I believe you can't make reservations for a party of 2 or less(?) so we took a chance. Luckily enough, we were the last 2 seated from the long line into the bar area. The ambience and atmosphere really felt like japan, with the Japanese-style seating behind the bar with peoples' shoes off, and the chill bar where you get to see the chefs cook. Although it's a small-quaint izakaya, I never felt rushed to eat finish my food and it didn't feel as crowded as it looked either, even with all our food in front of us. My favorite thing we got has to be the Karaage Chicken. As someone who would always get karaage chicken at Japanese restaurants, each piece of chicken here was just so juicy and tender. Kobe Beef Skewers were had very good flavor, but probably one of the items I wouldn't get due to price. Grilled Beef Tongue was better than I expected, as it was not too chewy and had a really great flavor. The Grilled Miso Salmon was perfectly cooked and had a strong, delicious miso flavor. The Tonkatsu Ramen was very reminiscent of Japan with the thin (superior) noodles, creamy, flavorful broth, and delicious chashu. All the sashimi was very fresh tasting. I loved everything I had and if I went back again, I would take advantage of the small plates and dishes because I believe you can't go wrong with any of them and most of them are not expensive at ALL (definitely have to get the takoyaki and some dessert next time). This place is well worth the wait, the drive and the price. One of the best Izakayas in the DFW area and would go back again and again. read more

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When a couple people agree that this is a place that one must try in Dallas, you go! I was in town for a work conference, but reservations were all booked for the week. Knowing I would experience rush hour AND realizing that this is a small cozy place I still wanted to take that chance. 2 girlfriends and I arrived around 6pm and by some miracle, there was a table available for us. YAS~! Despite the shabby look of the plaza, the restaurant itself is charming, reminiscent of a traditional izakaya in Japan where you can either sit at the bar or on the "floor seats" with shoes off. The far served here are like Japanese tapas, small dishes that would go great with some beer. You probably can't go wrong with any of the dishes they offer as I liked pretty everything that we ordered. But my tops would have to be the tonkotsu ramen (rich and porky ramen that rivals even ramen dedicated shops), sashimi platter, agedashi tofu, and the pudding for dessert. The super friendly staff gave service that contributed to this wonderful dinner experience and I hope to return if I'm ever back in Dallas. read more

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I love this place!! What a hidden gem. The outside doesn't look that impressive but once you step into the restaurant... it kind of feels like you're in Japan. The bar and the tatami seating area... and their menus are in Japanese & English. (Also a poster with Doraemon!!) The staffs are super friendly! I don't think you can go wrong with any of the dishes here. I went on a Thursday night and was lucky and only waited like 5 minutes to get seated. The spots did fill up pretty quickly - if you're a party of 3+ I would recommend calling to make a reservation. No reservation for group of 2 or less. Also they have Plum Wine!! I absolutely love plum wine and I very rarely find restaurants that serves it. Definitely recommend this place!! The food tastes very authentic. read more

Mr Max - Bar area - you can see the chef cooking! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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Let me tell you, this is the most authentic Japanese food place ever. This is not your typical restaurant. It's more of like a hole in a wall. The interior is so dope, very small but it's like you're in Japan. The service is great, everyone is super nice. My favorite spot to eat is literally the bar area to watch the chef cook. Man on man, the food smell so good. It tastes good too! Before I give you my review on the food, let me give you guys a tip to eat here. It's extremely packed. My guide to come eat here is come at least 15 minutes for 5PM and wait in line. If you come at 5PM, I promise you, there will be a long time. The restaurant is small so you will have to wait for a while for food. Now the food as I ate to ease my wisdom teeth pain: - Miso soup: Just like any other miso soup but it tasted 100x better because I haven't eaten anything - Agedashi tofu: I had to order THREE, you know why? IT'S THE BEST APPETIZER EVER. - Fried oyster: Tasted so good, I had to chew slowly. 1. I have to but 2. fresh oyster takes time to melt in your mouth. - Omelet: Holy moly sweet eggs, but it's perfect. I actually needed this. - Grilled salmon: The moment the salmon went in mouth, I realized I was missing out so much in the last two weeks. It was so soft and crispy. I couldn't ask for anything better. For sure the next time I come, I will eat grilled mackerel. The old japanese customer ate it next to me and he looked so happy. I wear to myself I will be the next. read more

Loved everything we ordered on our last visit. Bustling environment as always. Call ahead if you would like to avoid a wait on a weekend day. -burdock chip salad (see if there's already dressing because I put some on without checking and the burdock got drenched) -Taiwan ramen (favorite) -spicy cod roe rice sandwich -assorted pickled vegetables -octopus in wasabi sauce -1 scoop of strawberry ice cream ($2.00) Have not yet found another Japanese small plates establishment nearby that is comparable in diversity of menu and quality. Come and see for yourself! read more

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This is just a hole in the wall resto. You guys will know if your Ramen is authentic when people in the back cooking is Japanese. Not being prejudice but this people know their craft. What to order? Takoyaki, Ramen, sashimi, tempura, beef with rice (I forgot what's called). These are just some of our faves. Waiting 2/5 except when u go early Food 5/5 Cleanliness 5/5 read more

Been here multiple times and it has stayed consistent every time i have come here. I love the traditional Japanese ambiance and how it's all Japanese street food. Their sushi menu is small but fresh every single time You will have to wait a while if it's just two people but they also take reservations for a party of 4+ more Its definitely worth the wait though trust me read more

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Amazing food and service ! Expect it to be crowded and for there to be a wait especially if you don't have reservations. Delicious and would come again 100% read more

I cannot stop raving about this place and as much as I love talking about it, I wish it wasn't so stinking popular! The food is absolutely amazing. Service is quick and the food comes out so fast! We usually order a bunch of dishes and share everything. Having been to Japan recently, this place is very authentic. It's very small, and even though it's packed all the time, it doesn't seem to be super loud inside. Would recommend making reservations way in advance (can only do so for 3+ people). read more

Came here based off on all the good reviews and was not disappointed! I'm from the Houston area and though there are several Japanese restaurants, they didn't compare to the authenticity and atmosphere of this restaurant. Upon arrival, you notice that it is literally a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. It's in the corner next to a neighborhood and parking is minimal. I recommend calling ahead of time in order to see the waitlist situation because it is a small place and it gets crowded pretty quick from what I observed. (And with good reason!) We were seated in the area where we saw all the magic happened. Had to order my potato korroke (croquettes) because I love me some croquettes. Also ordered the grilled squid and takoyaki to start off as appetizers. Each dish was absolutely delicious. Brought me back to my time spent in Japan, a couple of years ago. I enjoyed every single piece of delectable food. For my entree, I ordered the tonkotsu shoyu ramen. Absolutely delicious! The noodles had enough bite that I enjoy when I eat ramen and I was slurping the broth away. The broth was so rich and light, it was so warming. For dessert, I had the yuzu cheesecake per the waitress's recommendation. It was tiny, but considering I was already full, it was a perfect bite to end such a good meal. My experience overall here was wonderful. The staff were kind and polite, food was served in a relatively timely manner, and the food was also authentic and just pure deliciousness. I highly recommend this spot to anyone for a good bite of true Japanese food! read more

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We got the five sashimi plate, chicken karaage, tonkatsu shoyu ramen, grilled squid, spicy Taiwan pork rice sandwich, and edamame. Everything was beyond good, even the edamame. I thought edamame was just edamame, but somehow there's was pillowy and perfectly salted. Ramen was so good I could have slurped up the whole bowl. Grilled squid was light and perfectly cooked. Chicken was crispy and flavorful. Grilled squid and sashimi were SO good and light. The Rice sandwich has a great kick and amazing flavor. Honestly, I can't say enough good things. It was amazing. We waited about an hour and a half for a table, they were packed with people ready to try and it's a small space, so, make a reservation or be prepared to wait! read more

Mr Max - Sashimi (some of it at least) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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It's been a while, but we made our way back! Luckily, we had a reservation, as there was already a small waiting list by the time we arrived on a weekday evening. What we got: - 5 kind sashimi (yellowtail, mackerel with roe, salmon, akami, shrimp, octopus, seared bonito + seaweed salad) - blue fin chu-toro - Kobe beef skewers - steamed monkfish liver with ponzu sauce - grilled shishito peppers - karaage - shrimp tempura - takoyaki - tonkotsu ramen - miso ramen - drink: hot green tea - dessert: homemade custard pudding (purin) We definitely over-ordered for 3 bellies, but we finished most of our dishes! We devoured the sashimi, of course. I ate most of the takoyaki, as it's one of my favorite Japanese dishes! Tonkotsu ramen was a little too salty, so I couldn't finish it, but the chashu pork and boiled egg was nice! Shrimp tempura was done just right - very crispy. Karaage was crispy too! I liked the monkfish liver, but it's a dish you can't have too much of. Honestly, nothing here I didn't like. I almost got both the yuzu cheesecake and pudding, but my friends didn't want much dessert, so I stuck with the pudding only. But the cheesecake is great too! read more

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The food is always amazing! This is my go-go spot in the Metroplex when I want quality Japanese Izakaya style food. There is usually always a wait, so grab drinks at the 7-11 across the street and go thrift while you are waiting on the call! Get the Beef tongue and the ramen!! read more

An authentic Japanese hole-in-the-wall in Irving. It's easy to miss as it is located in the back, but you would hate to miss out on this food! I've traveled to Japan and am also from Hawai'i (where there are a ton of Japanese food), and this place is delicious enough to compare. The atmosphere also has an authentic appeal to it. It's small, which made me felt like I was special enough to eat there (lol!). They have low tables where you are able to sit and eat without your shoes (I believe it's called a "chabudai"). My family and I decided on a whim to have dinner here around 7 on a weekday. We were seated within 30 minutes on the counter. The dishes are fairly priced but small-- though we did share with each other, I do believe that the serving size is for one person only. That being said, we were able to try a vast amount of dishes between the three of us. (+) Takoyaki (octupus balls): The star of the show! They were so big and flavorful. They had 8 pieces of octopus balls served on a cast iron skillet with kewpie mayo. It was so good that I wanted to buy another one. (+) Assorted tempura: Another one of my favorites that I will definitely order when I come back. The shrimp was so juicy, and I loved how it complimented the vegetables. They even turned the leaf into tempura! (+) Tonkatsu Ramen: Thin noodles with traditional ramen toppings. The chashu was very tender. The broth was a little too salty for my liking, but it was still a good flavor. (+) Blue Fin Tuna: Ooh, I love sashimi. This was very tender and buttery. It's a shame that they didn't give much of a serving; I would skip out on this order next time. (+) Eel omelette: Tamagoyaki (egg layered omelette) wrapped in eel. There are 4 pieces given. (+) Kobe beef patty: 4 half-sized breaded patties with what tasted similar to katsu sauce. The meat was really tender! (+) Salmon and ikura bowl: A special of the day item-- pieces of seared salmon on a bed of rice topped with ikura. I doused it with wasabi and shoyu. It was delicious! read more

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They are also booked! It's hard to get a table here and there is a reason why. They are a bit different from what you can find around Dfw. Come try it read more

First of all, if you're not there as soon as they open (5pm), you'll have to probably wait for an hour or more for a table. This happened to me twice. If you get there later during the evening, you can wait up to two hours for a table, this happened to me three times. They have probably five tables (and you must take off your shoes before entering the table dining area) plus a few seats at the bar. This place is usually packed with Asian people, so I knew it was legit authentic. The food. The food is so good, the first time I finally was able to get a table (after three failed attempts), I ate way too much but I had no regrets. Everything was so savory and delicious. Everyone must try this place at least once. The only downside is the wait for a table and parking. The food and the service are outstanding. read more

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Great experience, every dish we ordered tasted great. The wait is horrible but it is what it is.

Mr Max, an amazing little restaurant that offers an intimate feel, paired with a friendly atmosphere. The food is amazing! (I highly recommend the Takoyaki). One of the few restaurants in DFW that stick to the very roots of Japan. The staff is friendly and hardworking (Always ask for the special of the day and listen to their recommendations). Great for parties of 2-5. In terms of seating, it is not a very big restaurant, so for larger parties I recommend calling ahead for reservations, especially on weekends. Shareable sizes, good food, amazing atmosphere, if you're craving Japanese food then this is the place for you! read more

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Food was beyond my expectations. The culture inside the restaurant was so relaxing when you walk in you get the real Japanese themed restaurant feeling.. recommend 10/10 read more

Mr Max - Yellow Tail collar - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

Everything we ordered was so good! The service was quick. Be warned that the wait is a little long so arrive early to place your name down. read more

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