The vibe is chill. Would recommend the Ishiyaki Wagyu on hot stone! It was tasty and came with a…read moreside of kimchi and string beans. The poke bowl was flavorful but was mainly rice. I wouldn't recommend the Yaki Onigiri, despite reading positive reviews for it. The fried rice was way too heavy and didn't taste good. The greasiness was competing with the strong taste of the salmon. Some servers knew their job well, and greeted us at the door. A newer server wasn't as knowledgeable on gluten free options there and also didn't take away our used appetizer plates before serving us the mains. Not a huge deal, but it does make a difference in your dining experience and how the flow of your meal goes.

"Comforting Bowls and a Cozy Izakaya Feel"…read more Haruki Ramen & Izakaya delivers a warm and inviting ramen experience that feels both relaxed and satisfying. It is the kind of place that works perfectly for a casual date night or a comforting dinner when you are craving something rich and flavorful. We started with the agedashi tofu and Sapporo, which was a great way to ease into the meal. The tofu was lightly crisp on the outside and silky inside, sitting in a savory broth that balanced sweetness and umami nicely. Paired with a cold Sapporo, it set the tone for a solid evening. My girlfriend ordered the spicy tonkotsu ramen, which came out steaming and fragrant. The broth was creamy and pork forward with a steady heat that built gradually without overwhelming the palate. The noodles had a nice chew and the toppings were well portioned. I went with the mazemen, which was bold and satisfying. Rich sauce coating thick noodles, topped with a perfectly jammy egg and fresh scallions for brightness. It was hearty and full of flavor, the kind of dish that leaves you full and content. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, with dim lighting and a laid back energy that encourages you to settle in. Service was attentive and friendly without being intrusive. The only reason this lands at four stars instead of five is that while everything was very good, it did not quite reach that unforgettable level. Still, it is a dependable spot for quality ramen in Norwalk.

We went on a Sunday and chose the chef's counter in the tamaki-ya room hidden away in the back. We…read morewere fortunate enough to find Chef Taibe behind the counter on his otherwise night-off. I'm no foodie but I am Chinese/Japanese and can appreciate finer things in life when I see it. This place meet and exceeded my expectations. The wonderful speak-easy tamaki-ya room in the back is warmly lit and held at a nice volume, much quieter than the izakaya bar in the front. For small bites we had the Beet n Hijiki salad (highly recommend!), Agedashi tofu, and Torched Maine uni. For hand-rolls I had the Spanish Mackerel, Hokkaido Scallops, Ocean Trout, BBQ Eal & Foie Gras, and Cucumber ume. My wife had the Maine Uni, Hamachi, and Botan Ebi. Everything was good, but there were quite a few that were very good, and there were two that, for me, were the best that I've ever had in recent memory. For the Spanish Mackerel Chef Taibe put an interesting spin on it by topping it off with a traditional Chinese ginger and scallion garnish used in a tender chicken dish. It works, it balances out the briny taste of Spanish Mackerel... which is great... unless you LOVE the briny, savory, mineral, metallic, umami taste of fresh Spanish Mackerel :) The Hokkaido Scallops was, by quite a large margin, the best scallop dish I've ever had. The tender sweetness of the fresh scallop combined with a brown butter kewpie (how American!) and yuzu tobiko sauce swimmingly. Texture, temperature, taste, all perfect. I like eel and I love Unaju. But by far the biggest surprise was the BBQ Eal & Foie Gras (see pic). This dish alone warrants a culinary course. On the face of it, bbq, eel, foie gras all sets you up for something rich, filling, heavy. But when I bit into the unassuming hand roll, it was the lightest bite of Japanese rice/seafood/seaweed/liver/sauce combo I've ever had. Turns out Chef Taibe prepared the sauce from scratch using five+ different spices, and prepared the foie gras au torchon. I could go on, but suffice to say, this was one of the best bites I've ever had. By contrast, I thought I was going to close out with the cucumber ume roll, but compared to the eel and foie gras, the ume actually felt more overpowering. Perhaps if they cut back on the generous amount of ume paste... (Worthy mention: Chef Taibe presents the nori in a separate envelope. This seemingly simple step is crucial to the taste and mouthfeel of the hand roll. It provides a wonderful fresh crisp crunch to every bite and it does indeed make a difference. He mentioned he sources a special nori but I forgot the details, just know that it's really good) My wife loves uni, and I'll let her describe her experience (which she won't) but it was so good she had to order a second one. As if you need more convincing, we had a great experience and I think you will too. Bravo Chef, well done

We absolutely love Bar Bushido. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the intention behind…read moreeverything -- this isn't just a restaurant, it's a full experience. The cocktail program is seriously one of the best in the area. Creative without being gimmicky, balanced, and clearly inspired by Japanese ingredients and technique. Every drink feels thoughtful and well executed -- the kind of place where you actually want to work your way through the menu. The food is where it really shines. The chef-owner's love of Japanese cuisine comes through in every detail. The yakitori program is outstanding and deeply traditional -- using all parts of the chicken the way it's done in Japan. It's respectful, intentional, and absolutely delicious. You don't often see that level of authenticity and execution locally. The bar bites are some of the best around. The fried chicken sando is one of my personal favorites -- perfectly crispy, juicy, balanced, and craveable. And the ramen? No one can hold a candle to it. The broth is deeply flavorful and layered, the noodles are spot on, and every topping feels purposeful. It's the kind of bowl you think about the next day. Perhaps the best kept secret in all of Norwalk is the back room -- the elegant Temaki-Ya. Tucked away behind an unmarked entrance, this intimate hand-roll bar feels almost like discovering a hidden Japanese speakeasy. The atmosphere is quiet and refined, the kind of place that's perfect for a special date night or a memorable evening with friends. The temaki (hand rolls) are beautifully composed, with thoughtful ingredient combinations that balance texture, flavor, and visual appeal. What makes this place special is the dual experience -- lively izakaya vibes in the front, elegant hand-roll bar in the back -- all tied together by serious culinary skill and genuine hospitality. Norwalk is lucky to have this spot.

It is sometimes a challenge to consistently produce first-rate quality and service when you are…read moreoverwhelmed by demand, but Sushi Jin did that on my recent Friday evening (prime time) visit. The place was packed, they had six sushi chefs on staff. Our party of four enjoyed many courses over several hours (my fave was the wagu tacos). Bottom line ,,, Sushi Jin is now my new absolute favorite place to dine in Fairfield County, if price is no object. Our elaborate seven-course dinner was $600 for four people, a dinner for two with fewer courses could be under $100. The ambiance is less than optimal (poor acoustics, tables closer than optimal), but if I were the owner, I would absolutely make the same choices given the demand. The food quality is outstanding. Nothing even close nearby. The staff was remarkably accommodating to our desires and availabilities (booths are more pleasurable than tables).

There was a man in the bathroom making a lot of noise and he came out sweaty with a little cheeky…read moregrin on his face after. I was too scared to go in there after him so I used the women's restroom. The food was bomb tho. The crispy rice with spicy tuna hit like crack. My steak and veggies hibachi was scrumptious. I used my chop sticks the entire time too. My hand cramped up a little bit. Would go back again.

Had lunch here recently and everything we ordered was so good! We sat inside--the place is nicely…read moredecorated and has a really relaxed vibe. My favorite was the crispy rice with spicy tuna--absolutely delicious. Honestly, everything we ordered hit the mark. The lunch sashimi combo is also such a great value. Definitely planning to be regulars here!

Pink Sumo always delivers!! I have never had a bad experience. Food is amazing. Service is…read moreimpeccable. Ambiance is first rate. Try it, you will love it. We will be back!!

This place is one of our absolute go-to places in Norwalk. Always the best choice. We have never…read morehad a bad experience. The rolls are outstanding. They tend to be very fast. The music is good. We always have great service but this time we had an extra fun waitress named Jessica. She made excellent sushi suggestions and really made sure we had a good time. Thank you Jessica for the great service and smiles. Also the only sushi place I know that has the REAL wasabi.

I can't believe I've passed by this spot and not gone in until now! I wasn't expecting there to be…read moreso many unique choices on the menu. We actually had a hard time limiting ourselves since everything sounded good! The cheese wontons, buffalo chicken gyoza, and fresh sushi were our favorites. We had a friendly server who was helpful with recommendations. Nice vibe inside, with a few tables outside as well. A gem on Washington Street that we would gladly return to!

To celebrate a graduation, you can choose a number of restaurants in the area. My child was…read moregraduating from The Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts and chose OKO Kitchen. Not a chain restaurant and not very big. As it turns out, it was a perfect combination for an UH-MAZ-ING meal! Literally, upon entering the front door, a curtain pulls to the side as we entered the restaurant. A nice little touch like you're entering a whole new world. It's a quaint little spot, maybe 20 or so tables total and some bar seating available. We had a small group of 7 and fit right along the far wall. Asked for some special favors from the hostess and she was more than accommodating. Our server, Julia was phenomenal. She gave us some time to socialize, choose our meals and looked after us as if we were her only table (while taking care of a couple other tables at the same time). Very personable and helpful along the way, not just someone who took our orders only never to be seen again. She had some great suggestions and was very knowledgeable about the menu. The food was spectacular! I initially ordered a few appetizers for the table. She suggested a Makimono dish which was a selection of the same items I requested and a few more! Perfect for sharing! We enjoyed a variety of entree selections from their menu including poke bowls, sushi and grilled meats and fish. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals. The desserts were a perfect casual finish to our meal! Can't say enough good things about our experience at OKO Kitchen. The service and food were spot on! Keep on Yelp'n!

Our first time to Oko and would go again! We sat at the bar (thinking it was a sushi bar when we…read moremade the reservation, but it is a regular bar)- our fault- no big deal. The bartender was lovely and friendly without being annoying. The scallop hand roll was a huge win! My husband had the tuna hand roll and also loved his. Then, we ordered the lobster and king crab hand rolls, they were also flavorful but still went back to the scallop! Delicious! We had the crab fried rice that was very tasty and a good portion- shareable when ordered with other items. We had an array of nigiri. It's a small restaurant with city vibes, friendly service. It was expensive and I'm not completely sure everything was worth the cost, for a special occasion, it is worth it.

What a nice surprise! I was craving sushi for my birthday recently, and my husband found Kazu. We…read morespilt the sushi and sashimi platter for 2, which was not only beautiful but really delicious... the fish seemed exceptionally fresh and was had a wonderful fresh taste. Our daughter had the kids bento box which she LOVED. And the waitress couldn't have been more friendly and accommodating. We will definitely be back!

Great service, delicious food. Nice ambience and reasonably priced!…read more Easy parking in the street. I recommend this restaurant!

Gogi is such a beautiful spot in Westport. We enjoyed a round of margaritas, a beer, and a variety…read moreof dishes, including roasted pork buns, chicken wings, pork belly, and bulgogi. While the pork buns didn't quite hit the mark for us, every other dish was excellent. The chicken wings were especially comforting--crispy, flavorful, and reminiscent of a home-cooked meal. The banchan was fresh and vibrant, with sauces that perfectly complemented the entrées. Unlike some Korean BBQ restaurants where you cook the meat yourself, Gogi prepares it for you. Both the pork belly and bulgogi was super fresh. Overall, a fantastic experience. I'd absolutely recommend Gogi and am already looking forward to my next visit.

Really wonderful food and a great experience! Came here with my family for a late lunch/early…read moredinner. The Waygu beef was out of this world, and the other cuts were also darn good. I really loved the side dishes as well and they are "all you can eat" but don't fill up on them because the meat is the highlight. My daughter is vegetarian, and they had a lot of choices for her. This place is pricey, but it also is a can't miss experience in my opinion