Another fantastic lunch date with my wife and our talented friends. We originally planned on bento…read moreboxes, which are a delicious healthy value! Then we spotted the incredibly beautiful fresh bluefin that had just arrived. We enjoyed that and yellowtail sashimi. Then two orders each of yellowtail and salmon sushi, and their fried baby octopus. Each bite seemingly was better than the last (which is among why we so enjoy ourselves here!). We also ordered a bowl of edamame, just enough crunchy salty goodness. Sit at the sushi bar and ask every question you have. Try new things based on the chef's recommendation and your palate. Often frequent diners are seated solo; no reason not to. So great having such wonderful food, service and the experience at Hiro. And don't forget the chefs' tip jar in return for their skill and hospitality.

Have done high-end sushi omakase in Tokyo, and eaten across Japan - Hiro is the closest thing to…read morethe real deal you'll get to authentic japanese in AZ. Not quite as salty as traditional japanese, but great flavors, fresh food, and actual nigiri you won't get in cookie-cutter casual spots. Love the atmosphere, and the staff is incredible, friendly and remembers regulars. We come here about once a month and literally never disappoints. Would love even more japanese whiskies, but otherwise I couldn't love this place more.

Yama Sushi was a great place to eat! It's all you can eat, and they have Deluxe and Premium…read moreoptions. I did the Deluxe because it had soooo many options that I honestly didn't need Premium. I was surprised that it included sashimi in that option and was super happy about it. The quality of the fish was great, especially for an AYCE location. Service was great and attentive. The only bummer is they have this A5 Wagyu nigiri that you can only get one per person at the table, and it was sooo good. I really wish they would let us have it a couple more times, but it is what it is! Overall, will definitely be going back. Also, side note, my friend said not all locations have AYCE all day, but the Scottsdale one does.

I was excited yet skeptical about this place and honestly it kind of lived up to my expectations…read more - Salmon Sashimi: buttery smooth and flavorful - Hamachi Sashimi: boring and tasted watery and bland - Salmon Skin: while a nice portion size (no rice, no sauce, no vegetables) and the skin had an awesome ratio of meat to skin, the skin was/is smoked so that flavor overpowered the salmon flavor I crave. I think if this skin wasn't smoked, I would 100% go back to Yama and try their hamachi kama, but I am such a NON FAN of smoked food, that I'm not sure I will ever go back. Sad day though because the salmon skin handroll portion size was on point!

This review is strictly for the food as I ordered through Uber Eats. I didn't step food into the…read moreresturant or have interaction with the employees. I like that they use purple rice for all the sushi here, it's healthy and also adds a bit to the flavor. Fish is fresh and portion sizes are generous - I mean that in a way that the rolls and sushi fill you up quite quickly without the rolls being too large in size. The balance between fish and rice is a solid ratio, although I'll say that everything started to taste quiet similar after a while and I couldn't really differentiate between the different rolls. Anyways, overall a solid sushi spot in Scottsdale, AZ. Mt Fuji Roll- Love that they top with raw scallop! Yellowtail Carpaccio - Fresh and vibrant, jalapeno adds a nice kick Havana Roll - The mango brings brightness to the roll 5 Nigiri & Crazy Roll - Value combo, the bluefin tuna quality is good

My husband surprised me with a date night at Kodo Sushi. It was my first time eating here, but had…read moreheard him talking about it many times in the past. Upon arrival, the place doesn't look like anything special. It's inside a strip mall, and looks mediocre. However, do not judge too soon. Once you get inside, everything is well laid out & it's very nice. It was busy when we went in on a Friday night, BUT we got seated quicker than estimated- which is always a win! I was not happy with where we were seated, as it was facing the wall in the small bar area. We are people watchers by nature, so it's always fun to be in a spot where we can look around the room effortlessly. However, it wasn't the end of the world and I certainly didn't want to wait any longer, the food looked wonderful & I was starving! I do not remember exactly which rolls we got, but... all of them were EXCELLENT!! Everything was undoubtedly fresh, and made with quality ingredients. I thought the black rice was really neat! I've never seen that before. The waitstaff were very friendly and accommodating. It took no time at all to get our orders out, which was impressive considering that the place was packed near capacity! As we left, all of the sushi pros behind the glass thanked us for coming in and wished us a great rest of our evening. I thought that was very kind. It's not very often that you find a whole line of people stopping what they are doing to wish you well on your way out of their establishment. All in all, 10/10 experience! I would recommend this place to anyone who loves Sushi!

6/8/26 A visit to one of Scottsdale's trendy Restaurants…read more There has been allot of buzz around the Roko Akor, great marketing, Wagu dumpling, Flame seared Stakes, Seafood and Sushi offerings in an attractive Scottsdale resort area where both Arizona visitors and locals enjoy staycations for Golf and fun. It's well placed amounst popular resorts, endless choices of golf courses, high end shopping, Spas and other eateries. For our of state visitors it is located in an area that provides a great destination for conferences and vacation launching point to enjoy what Scottsdale has to offer. Parking 5/5 There is a great turn-about like drop off near the front door I took advantage of. Other semi private parking is located along the west and south in front and behind the restaurant. Ambiance 5/5++ After passing through the foyer, you're greeted by staff receptionists who quickly get your experience started. The restaurant opens up to a large open dining space that includes an impressive "baresk" wrap around serving counter which allows guests to experience and interact with the kitchen staff. Adjacent to the main dining area is a very trendy wraparound bar and a little more intimate lounge with tables for guest meetups, date nights, after business meetings or relax after playing 18 holes at a nearby course. Facing the bar is the wine cellar, a floor to ceiling long glass presentation of their collection. There is a separate special event room in the back for hosting private dinners with special event reservations. Tonight this room was reserved for Yelp's "Elite All-Stars" and hosted by the Roka-Akar and the wonderful Phoenix Yelp Community Manager (CM) Francheska J, I popped my head in to say hello to her and she was kind enough to give me some merch. Congratulations to Roka-Akor for launching this beautiful Resturant in Scottsdale and to Yelp and Francheska for putting on a great experience for your Elite All-Stars! Gent your trendy on my friends-SYOY!

Popped over to the bar before an event and appreciated Juju's kindness and service. So warm and…read morewelcoming! I enjoyed the tart grapefruit juice before dinner. I overheard a special on oysters so look forward to returning for that. Would love if they'd bring an NA bubbly in the future and consider bringing back the bar sushi omakase. It was my favorite choice on the menu! And Manager a Wesley is hands down one of the most special parts about this place. What a fun and charming personality! Fantastic staff who make you feel welcome!

Not sure why we waited so long to try this Obon Sushi location and kept going to the Scottsdale…read moreQuarter one instead. This McCormick Ranch location is so much more inviting, from the setup and ambiance to the staff. We came on a date night with our youngest son, who loves sushi just as much as we do, and we ended up trying at least 10 different dishes. Everything was fresh, tasty, and really well done. The quality definitely stood out. The service was excellent, attentive, kind, and on top of it without feeling rushed. It made the whole experience even better. If you're looking for good sushi in the McCormick Ranch area, this is a great spot. Pro tip: hit it during happy hour, especially if you're feeding sushi to a growing kid the happy hour sushi options are clutch. We'll definitely be back.

Haven't been back in awhile and not sure why not…read more We went for happy hour tonight and sat at the bar. Ordered many things from the happy hour menu. The items we ordered were all 1/2 off menu price. The best deal was definitely the sushi. $6.50 each! For $45 not including tip, we got: - Obon edamame - cucumber salad - veggie gyoza - pork gyoza - spicy tuna rolls - yellowfin tuna rolls - veggie spring rolls Most items were $6.50 each. All were delicious and we left stuffed. Best happy hour in town maybe. If you find another one better, message me on Yelp. I want to try it. Walked back home with happy tummies.

I think a 4-5 fits. We had a good experience…read more Arrived on a Thursday with a reservation for 440pm. We were sat right away with a group. Wasn't crowded at all for the dinner area but the bar was packed. They have happy hour. By 6 pm it was full and packed everywhere. Parking is plentiful. We did the chicken shrimp and the New York strip. The mushroom soup is very delicious, the salad dressing felt like it was missing something. The rice was phenomenal so yummy and full of flavor. I like their ginger seafood dipping sauce, but I absolutely cannot stand Dijon taste, and that's what they use for their meat, a mustard sauce. I really wish there was an alternative. The meat seemed to be cooked well and the steak to my boyfriend's liking, flavor was good. We got Lucky to try a sample of the Seabass and holy moly!!! literally melting butter in your mouth! Definitely regretful for our choices and next time we come in, it's Seabass all the way no fishy taste, again just melts in your mouth I wasn't in the mood for the pineapple Dole Ice Cream a bit sweet but definitely can be refreshing from the heat. I got their salmon sushi, and it was good and a decent cut (5$ each on happy hour) My boyfriend got their Japanese whiskey and he enjoyed it. He just said there was a lot of ice. There was one open seat at our table, and I couldn't imagine squeezing another person in. there was even a child sitting at our table and it still felt like we were on top of each other. Not much room at all with your drinks, appetizers, and dinner plates. The show the cook put on was fun and entertaining. Service was very friendly and attentive.

The Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos were perfect as a light dining snack. The wonton shell has a nice crunch…read more Needing more, we shared an "FWB" (Friend w Benefits) roll. Always a good option, as are the Chicken Gyoza steamed. Kasai packs in an event/celebration type crowd in the Japanese Steakhouse area. The separate bar area remains a dating and couples scene. Interesting to observe. Jack and the bartender team are top of the service game!

LOOKING FOR QUALITY JAPANESE CUISINE?! LOOK NO FURTHER!!…read more Akamaru Scottsdale is the finest of its kind in North Scottsdale. The restaurant is simple, clean, and welcoming. The waitress, chef, and assistant staff are incredibly friendly and QUICK. I loved the iced matcha, the Japanese fried chicken, and the REAL wasabi!! Do you know how hard it is to come across REAL wasabi in the USA?! It's rare for sure. Please come here for lunch or dinner - this is a small business worth the communities support.

It's just like eating at an Izakaya in Japan!!!…read more First time trying AkaMaru and we'll be back for sure! Everything we ordered tasted just like home...yes, I'm Japanese so trust me when say that! We ordered the chicken Kara-Age (Japanese fried chicken), couple of hand tools, cucumber salad (might be my favorite!) , takoyaki, yellowtail carpaccio, ajitsuke egg and yuzu cheese cake for dessert. One thing to keep in mind that Japanese Izakaya is NOT like your sushi restaurant. They don't serve rolls, but do have sashimi in bowls. It's meant to be like a tapas style and portions are usually smaller. The space is meant to smaller for a more intimate setting, although I think they could fit another table or two! I would suggest a few more items like gyoza, ramen, yakitori, Kushi-katsu, etc. I saw few comments about price... yep it's not cheap but the ingredients are fresh and it's comparable to any Japanese restaurant in Scottsdale!

This was the most authentic and delicious japanese restaurant that I have been to in years (yes,…read moreYEARS!) anywhere in the united states . It's a small restaurant run by Nihon-jin and staffed with culinary wizards. The waitstaff was attentive and helpful in making our food choices. We had three different waitresses constantly bringing our food and filling our glasses throughout the. There were six of us. The surrounding tables were all filled with Nihon-jin - a very good sign! We had gyoza appetizers that were the BEST i've had since leaving japan! It was cooked properly, which is PAN seared on the bottom. And the rest steamed with soft, chewy dumpling skin and tasty filling. Another appetizer was a plate of little sausages that came with a side of shaved cabbage. I heard they were good, but didn't try any myself. When I looked at the menu, there were so many various types of sushi! It was written in both japanese and english. They had a picture menu as well as a separate. Sushi menu. I had the kanpyo maki and also a futo maki roll. The other people at our table had katsudon, (one made with chicken and the other with pork), a plate of sashimi, a nigiri sushi combo, and several types of rolls. I chose Hiyashi Chuka, (cold ramen) - a chilled noodle dish popular in summertime. The toppings were sliced pieces of tender pork, surimi, wakame, carrot and cucumber slices. The dressing for Hiyashi Chuka is a sweet-and-sour soy sauce dressing (or tare). In fact, I usually take pictures of all my food and I was so excited i didn't take any pictures of the food or menu! I told my sister we have to go back there today so that I can take some! I highly recommend this restaurant. If you are looking for authentic Japanese food made by Japanese people. There is such a wide variety of food that you would only get in Japan & never heard of before in a stateside restaurant. This is my new favorite Japanese restaurant! It will be yours too!

I found out about Sushi Sen via IG ads back in 2021. Upon my first visit, I immediately regretted…read more waiting months to go and try it and then moving away shortly after This place offers great value for money and the food is so authentic the menu is written in English AND Japanese. Most if not all staff are Japanese. I've been coming here for years now and my parents who reside full time in CA love coming here. We actually make the drive from Peoria to Scottsdale just to eat here whenever they are in town. My mom loves to bring friends and family who are visiting from out of state to Sushi Sen. Lots of Asians & other Japanese ppl who eat here so it passes the vibe check. 100/10 recommend

This is our go to Sushi restaurant. Great lunch and Happy Hour Specials…read more My son insisted on lunch at "The Zu" for his birthday today. He had the new Waygu Beef Surf and Turf Roll. Real Waygu from Japan!!! It was outstanding. Gavin the Manager is always a great host. Go there and enjoy!

Always great food. Culmination of multiple visits;…read more Alex is our Man, his service is exceptional, helpful, pleasant & friendly. Today we had Klara as our server; very good server. What a smile! Klara visited the table immediately asking for the drink order, returned for the appetizer or dinner request, he timing & efficiency is top not notch. Restaurant was fairly empty on arrival, a large group came in, a few other tables filled up, Klara handled it solo! Great job, awesome food & stunning server.

After missing the Fashion sq location we were delighted to find the Gainey Ranch location close by…read more As with many other locations, food is fresh, clean and delicious. If you've never been to a Koibito, think of it like a Mod, Chipotle only much much healthier and better. Choose your bowl base, proteins range from fresh salmon, tune, shrimp and octopus. Theres a set of flavourful bowls or completely customise your bowl choosing your own combination of sauces and ingredients. Theres over 20 addition toppings to choose from, Cilantro, Masiago, Green Onions, Ginger, green peppers, shaved Brussels, avocado, cucumber and much much more. Don't forget to sign up for thier loyalty program, their points add up very quickly and you'll soon get a free $15 bowl.

You will find Koibito Poke in The Shops at Gainey Village shopping plaza. They specialize in poke…read morebowls both with many types of raw fish, 2 types of chicken, shrimp, octopus, spicy crab and tofu. As your base, you can order white or brown rice, cauliflower rice or mixed greens. We both ordered the Koibito bowl; one with mixed greens and one with white rice. The bowl comes with salmon, Hawaiian tuna & ahi tuna, sriracha aioli, cucumbers, edamame, cilantro, seaweed salad, sesame seeds, chopped Brussels sprouts, kale, & ginger. They have a handy paper reference so that you may choose your base, ,protein, sauce & toppings. The bowls were very fresh and good. It is a very rich in protein meal. We were only able to eat half of the meal. Tops are provided for take out of your bowl. The place is clean and orderly. Staff are helpful and will give you suggestions if needed. Shared parking and a WiFi password is available at the counter.