Furious Surly IPA was great, Ramen was outstanding. Service by all from the door to the server were awesome

After seeing a YouTube video with a master Japanese sushi chef trying American-style sushi, a new phrase entered my lexicon: "Mayonnaise Roll." Regrettably, I will encounter one during my visit. More on that later. I started off with a Mojo Mojito (N/A). Big points for noticeable mint notes, something which was forgotten in two I had previously (in different spots). That said, it was a little sweeter than I prefer, but this is a matter of taste. For my app, I ordered the OG Pork Buns. These were great! The buns were soft, and the pork was tender and well balanced in terms of ratio of meaty to fatty. It was also sauced the perfect amount, and had a great amount of cucumber for freshness. While I can't put it in the S-Tier, I will easily give it a B, maybe an A if I am in a good mood. The only changes I would prefer (also personal preference) is a little acid for brightness, and a shift towards the fatty end of the ratio. Then we arrive at the fated Sunset Salmon Roll. On the surface, it promises to be a roll to remember: two kinds of fish, three kinds of veggie (including jalapeño), tobiko, and mayo. Instead, anything the roll tried to do was lost as the balance was way off. The quantity of rice was such that it seemed as though the rice was the main event, and everything else was cast as "Waiter #3." To make matters worse, the Yuzu mayo was very strong, further shifting focus away from the fish and veg. Thus, we arrive at "rice and mayo roll." When asked how I was liking things, and I communicated as much, the bar-server offered to change it to something else (thank you very much). That something else was two sets of Nigiri: Unagi & Seared Tuna (Bincho Maguro Tataki). For the Unagi, this was perfect with no notes. The eel was cooked and sauced perfectly, and the balance of rice to protein was ideal. Good job. I can't say the same for the Seared Tuna. The kiss of fire can elevate a piece to otherworldly levels, but only if done correctly. Here, the flame seemed to be applied as an afterthought, and added nothing of value to the fish. The only thing it did was take away some of that amazing freshness sushi-grade fish has by partially cooking it. Any smokey and roasty notes were not in the building. Final verdict: Tavernakaya got off to a promising start with a great virgin Mojito and pork buns. However, it faltered severely when it came to sushi. While the Unagi Nigiri was a strong contender, the Sunset Salmon Roll and Seared Tuna Nigiri were poorly executed. Thus, while I am not against trying their ramen on a later day, I'll likely steer clear of the sushi side of the menu. read more

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Such a fun spot! Service is always great and the food is yummy! They have great deals! We went on a Monday and had a bowl of ramen and a mocktail for $15! read more

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Our server, Sarah, was very nice and had quick, great service and food came quickly and was good! Had a mistake on the check on a team member reached out to help - something a lot of places would not do! read more

Tavernakaya - Japanese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

The service was speedy and friendly, the sushi and gyoza were very good, but the main dishes were a bit bland. Still a nice casual spot. read more

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Craving Asian food and something super savory after a few days of cheese heavy rich dishes, we stumbled on this place by accident. Right by the capital and super reasonably priced! Love all the veggie / tofu options. Got smoked tofu udon and chicken fried rice. read more

Tavernakaya - Chicken Fried Rice - Japanese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I found this place on accident. I've been in Madison for a week and found it on my last night here. So originally I thought Wisconsin is known for cheese. There is no way you will find good sushi in Wisconsin. I was wrong. This place is amazing and will forever be onu go to list inadison.yhe server was a real sweetheart. The place has great energy. Nice bar and even better food. Prices were average for sushi. read more

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This is a great spot on the square. I had the general tso cauliflower and it had a bit of a kick to it! It was very good. The service is friendly and we were served promptly despite it being a busy Friday night. One thing of caution: the drinks were exceptionally weak. A "double" was served in a tall glass and couldn't have had more than one shot in it. read more

The service here was super good. Surprisingly, plenty of well trained service staff. Great tap beer prices too (eg Sapporo and Spotted cow @$5)! They also have a happy hour food menu before 6pm. I enjoyed the bao bun apps and pink dragon roll. I also had general tsao chicken which was good but could use more spice. Overall, would recommend for reasonable price dining in central Madison. read more

Tavernakaya - Japanese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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My friend and I really loved how quickly the food came even though it was packed. I also liked how well the food was I had the broth less ramen and it was amazing. We also had a mock tail each and that hit the spot without needing any alcohol which was surprising but great. It was crowded but not too loud and compliments to the chef can't wait to go back read more

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Ever had a meal that looked like a masterpiece but tasted like a disappointment? That was my experience here. The Japanese curry was bland, the sushi wasn't bad but wasn't good either, and the veggie spring rolls were just okay. The only real win was the drink--everything else was underwhelming. Definitely disappointing. If you are on the square trust me there are better places to try. The service was great and the ambiance is great especially being on the square. read more

Tavernakaya - Japanese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

One of my new favorite restaurants in Madison! Everything we ordered was fantastic. The tempura cheese curds were such a delight. They were light and cheesy and that sauce it came with was delicious -- just a little bit of heat to balance out the rich dairy. The chicken udon was exactly what you'd expect, but really yummy and satisfying nonetheless. The California poke bowl was absolutely exceptional. Next time I come to Tavernakaya, I'll be getting that. It felt so fresh. The green tea cheesecake took me by surprise. Those were two flavors that blended together spectacularly. It was the perfect end to our meal. We visited Tavernakaya on a Saturday evening and it was super busy. I'd recommend making a reservation ahead of time. Plan on getting here a bit early to find parking as well. The restaurant itself was nice -- modern without being sterile. The tables seem a little close together, so that might be something to keep in mind for people with mobility aids. I'll definitely be returning here in the future and recommending it people in the meantime! read more

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What a delicious sushi spot living a stones throw away from the Wisconsin State Capitol. Tavernakaya hit the spot for our party of six. While we didn't partake this time, this Madison gem boasts a happy hour (M-F,430-6PM) with 1/2 priced drinks and $5 snacks. ($5 sushi? Yes way!) The house salad was good, but huge. We also enjoyed the edamame, the beef buns and pork goyza. (Though the tempura cheese curds looked fab!) We got a ton of sushi-- ranging from $8-22. They all hit the spot! The drink menu at Tavernakaya really differs from other Asian spots I've frequented. The menu boasted a few saki flight options and a handful of Asian beers I hadn't had before. The ambiance was sleek and quiet. The staff was prompt. Pricing didn't seem outrageous. Our food came out correct and fresh. Tavernakaya is a great option in the heart of Madison. Pop in for Happy Hour! read more

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Great service! Katyanna answered all our questions and made helpful suggestions. Happy we stopped here tonight. Great music in the background at the perfect volume. Chill vibes. Food is always solid and doesn't disappoint. Loved it all! read more

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Tavernakaya is across the street from the State Capitol. Our group of 14 reserved a table a few days in advance for a Saturday lunch. For our party size, we had to provide credit card information to accommodate for a no show fee of $10 per person. They have a few tables at the front of the window which would put the State Capitol in direct view of a meal. Tavernakaya had planned for our party to be seated with Capitol views, however those tables are taller and not ideal for our party because of the young children. Instead, they accommodated and combined a few standard height tables towards the back of the restaurant. We tried several items from the menu: popcorn chicken, veggie tempura sushi roll, spicy TK miso ramen, TK tonkotsu ramen, sautéed udon with shrimp, and Japanese curry with pork. Overall, the food is a blend of multiple Asian countries without a very defining flavor profile. The popcorn chicken was a tad dry and the ramen did not arrive with hot broth. Although that is ideal for the young children in our party, I can't say the same for the adults. The pork belly was also extremely fatty. Understandably, it is pork belly and there should be fat but the fat should not be the majority. The veggie tempura sushi roll, sautéed udon, and Japanese curry were more redeeming and enjoyable. The staff was accommodating, friendly, and efficient. The location is convenient and parking was extremely easy, possibly because the farmers' market was moved to an indoor space for the winter. read more

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Came here with reservations on a Friday night before a show. Table was ready right when we arrived. We liked the decor, it seemed fairly clean, open and modern. A bit buzzing but not crazy loud. Started with the OG pork buns. First thing we noticed is the large white pork chunks. Decent size but no braising or char and not appealing. Kind of cadaverous in appearance. Ok flavor but would have been much better with some braising on the pork. Had the Tonkotsu ramen. Another very pale looking dish with the white noodles, whiteish pork and very light colored broth. Essentially the same pork as in the pork buns. Decent sized but again no braise. The lady said maybe they boil the pork and idk it's possible. With a piece of nori, half an egg and scallions the toppings seemed a bit skimpy but it's like they tried to make up for that with a pile of bamboo shoots. Noodles didn't have much flavor. The broth was very light and not a deep and complex tonkotsu broth. So very meh. The cold mug of Sapporo hit the spot. Nice vibe and the server was attentive. Wouldn't go back for Ramen or pork buns however. read more

Tavernakaya - OG Pork Buns - Japanese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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What a great spot on the square! I've eaten here many times over the past couple years. My favorite menu item remains the bacon fried rice. So savory and plenty of it! I've always received great service when dining here. I love the option to sit indoors or outdoors and that the big garage doors open to let the breeze in on a summer day. This spot is one of the best on the square for a meal!! read more

Tavernakaya - OG Pork Buns - Japanese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Came here while I was waiting for my boyfriend to get off class. I ordered the dragon roll and rainbow roll. As far as sushi goes it was fine. Kinda too much eel sauce on one of the rolls. It seems rather overpriced though. It was a decent portion but the flavor was lacking in the roll without the eel sauce. Overall it was ok. My food sat at the window for a little bit and multiple employees walked past it. The bartender didn't even tell me to have a good day. Tipped 20% but I don't think I'll come back. read more

This was worse than gas station sushi. Our server had zero training. The tables wobble. Ordered a spicy tuna hand roll. She repeated back to me. Then when it was given to me it was not a hand roll. She said she had no idea what that was and had to find out. When I got my spicy tuna hand rolls it was warm off flavored low grade tuna with some orange mayo and rice. The dragon roll was not much better. No soy sauce was brought to the table until I had to ask. Over price very low quality. At least there is a crown of the capitol if you sit outside. read more

My son took me here for a late lunch. The service is slow and the food is so-so. The portion is huge though. The interior looks nice.

Didn't take a photo of the seaweed salad but something was extremely wrong with it. It was so rancid it must've gone bad I hope they threw this batch out after we left. The service was also really poor. I knew it wasn't going to be a good restaurant before I went because if it was good I would have known it already as I've lived in Madison my whole life. The sushi - yellowtail jalapeño and spicy tuna role - was awful honestly. It wasn't rancid like the seaweed salad but grocery store sushi would've been better. Sorry this is so honest! But I feel like Tavernakaya doesn't mind because they honestly didn't seem to GAF. We also had the spicy miso ramen - it was fine. There was no flavor other than salt which I guess is appealing to many, but not my cup of sake! read more

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Hands down one of the best restaurants in Madison. With great prices and happy hour deals, the flavorful food is paired with a great atmosphere makes this a place you need to come back to time after time. read more

Chose this spot for a date night before visiting State Street Comedy Club. Had to try the only tempura cheese curds in town! Went with all small plates so we could try a lot of things. We showed up early so didn't need a reservation, never saw a wait while we were there. The tuna roll and the pork gyoza were great, the "fried chicken" buns not so much, choose one of the other bun options. We loved the handcut fries with the Asian spices! read more

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Food 1/5 - This is probably the worst ramen I've ever had. If you've never tried ramen, I would not suggest ordering ramen from here. The broth was very bland, the pork was very thick, and the noodles were okay - not great. Overall, it does not even taste like ramen. The salmon bowl was alright, but it is definitely overpriced. Service 4/5 - The hostess seated us quickly. The servers were nice and quick with bringing out our food. Ambiance 4/5 - The restaurant has a nice Japanese theme interior and decorations. However, we went at lunch time on a Saturday and it was pretty empty. read more

Tavernakaya - Salmon Don - Japanese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I received tempura with raw batter in the middle of it. The server offered to comp the meal, since at that point I wasn't going to eat an entire new meal. The manager then decided to only take 4 dollars off the meal because I had decided to just do that rather than make a fuss. A gross dining experience and a disappointing fumble of what should have been a pretty easy choice. If you offer to comp a meal for a gross error, reneging on that is an easy way to lose a customer. read more

Tavernakaya - Raw tempura batter in the middle of my food... - Japanese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Probably my favorite happy hour in downtown Madison. Love the location. Love the draft Sapporo. Love the open window/doors. Just go! read more

Tavernakaya - Tuesday special menu - Japanese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Excellent food. We had the ragoon roll and it was wonderful. Loaded spring rolls were perfect. Service great. Will be back again. I don't like sushi but loved this roll that was a play on crab ragoon. read more

Tavernakaya - Loaded Spring Rolls - Japanese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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First time tried Tavernakaya and was completely satisfied. Made reservations online and we were seated as soon as we are arrived. Our server was great and helped answer our questions and made good recommendations. The restaurant is located right across from the Capitol so a perfect location for dining out with excellent service, and friendly atmosphere. Everything we tried was delicious and nicely presented. Loved the poke bowl, spider roll, and chicken dumplings. The poke bowl was the star of the evening, it was so fresh and full of flavors. I will be back to try other things on the menu. Highly Recommend!! read more

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Ate in for the first time and had a really solid experience that will bring us back! The service was on point - the 10% service charge they have must be attracting great employees. I was so excited to try a saketini again - hadn't had once since dining in at Umami pre-Covid! I had the Hamani blossom and loved it (twice!). Collectively we ordered a massive amount of buns (Korean beef our absolute hands down fave and TK tofu buns the girls' must have), dumplings, chicken fried rice and ramen. The chicken fried rice was just a bit bland but nothing a little soy couldn't fix up. We sat right next to the doors that open up to the square on a lovely summer day so the atmosphere was beautiful. To top it off, a free dessert came to my daughter when they found out it was her birthday along with a song. A lovely evening!! read more

Tavernakaya - Beef bun, dumplings - carryout - Japanese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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If there was one dish I could have for the rest of my life - it would be the tofu curry. I've moved away from WI years ago, I think of that dish often. read more

Food was delicious. Service was friendly and quick but my pet peeve is when servers do not clear dirty dishes. We sat the whole meal with our app plates dirty and taking up space. Other thing is club music during the day. I like to talk at lunch and it was distracting however, I would go back for the food. read more

I've been a few times to Tavernakaya and it's good every time. Since we had a larger group this time, we called a day ahead to get reservations and the process was quick and easy to do. My husband and I shared the Korean chicken wings to start and they were crispy and perfectly seasoned. Next, I got their pork buns and their spicy tuna roll, while my husband got their spider roll. While I thought their pork buns were delicious, both of our sushi rolls left something to be desired, especially for the price of my husband's speciality roll. I enjoy the variety of sushi, ramen, poke, and dumpling options available at Tavernakaya and will likely be back soon. read more

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Food Quality = 3 Service = 3 Ambiance/Decor = 4 I had high hopes for the food but it was only mediocre. I had the TONKOTSU* Ramen and the pork tasted bland and the broth was not very flavorful, it was just kind of salty. The beef buns were good and the spicy shrimp sushi was sub par. Our server gave us some good advice on the food but did not come back to check to see if other's at the table wanted more drinks. All the tables around us were not occupied at the time as well. The location is good by the capitol and it's a popular place but the food is only ok. It's not bad but not great for an Asian place. read more

Tavernakaya - Good beef buns - Japanese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Overall great! There are some particular items that I will definitely recommend over others. For example, I think one must try the TK (or spicy) Miso Ramen and the Sushi Grade Salmon (or tuna) Poke Bowl, knowing that these two dishes are signature items in the restaurant that a lot of people will get. I will also recommend the popcorn chicken, but will not recommend the tofu buns due to the fact that they were too simply made with glaze and cilantro just placed on top of tofu. The General Tso's Chicken tastes very similar to the same item in a lot of other restaurants. If there is a rating of between 4 and 4.5, I will most likely choose something like 4.3, and granted that even if I have not tried a lot of restaurants in the Madison area, this is a good one. A friend's friend had recommended this place, and knowing that she was local, I trusted her judgment, and was not disappointed read more

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Menu is uninspired- just another Asian fusion place with the usual items on the menu. Also. Don't appreciate a 3% admin fee in checks?!?!

Great vibe at Tavernakaya, great views of the capitol, friendly staff. Nice surprise to have the chef deliver portions of the meal. Food was delicious, tempura cheese curds were amaziling light and airy with such gooey goodness! The Rainbow roll was one of the best that I have had and a large portion. Definitely will visit again soon! read more

Located right on the capital square, Tavernakaya is not as much of hidden gem as it is a prominent jewel on the ring of Madison. Delicious food, fun atmosphere, a perfect place for a fun night. The pork buns were fantastic. Juicy, flavorful pork in pillowy rolls. I ate them quickly and immediately wanted more. The spicy tuna roll was fine, but nothing super special. My friend said his fried rice was the best he's ever had, while my other friends said the ramen was definitely worth it. All in all, a wonderful experience in Madison. read more

Tavernakaya - Spicy Tuna Roll - Japanese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I've always had a good experience at Tavernakaya. Their food is tasty and their staff is really kind. It's located right on the square with cocktail bars and breweries nearby, so it couldn't be in a more prime spot! Make sure to try their tempura cheese curds! They're served with spicy mayo. It's a unique take on the Wisconsin cheese curds read more

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I went here on a Friday night. Everything I asked the waitress to get- was not available. Korean chicken/ fish bun..... We got a pork belly bun, fresh tuna poke and a couple of sushi rolls. The pork belly though tender and well cooked- it didn't had the flavor and the bun wasn't fresh enough. The tuna poke bowl (added a $1 extra to make it spicy) had white rice, edamame, sea weed salad, crispy croutons and tuna. The sauce which was a combination of mayo, sriracha and eel sauce was too much for my liking. There was too much sauce for the ratio of rice and tuna. Tuna wasn't the freshest- the had some tough pieces in my bowl. All in all, this wasn't an experience I would not want to come again to. The service was nice though. There was no wait and the service was pretty quick. read more

Tavernakaya - Pork Buns (Umami) - Japanese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I have loved this restaurant the last couple of times I've been. While it might be a little expensive, I think the food is worth the price. I thoroughly enjoyed the miso soup, gyoza, and tonkotsu ramen the last time I went, and my dad enjoyed the pork buns, spicy tuna roll, and the rangoon roll. The service was excellent. The waitress was quick in taking our orders and checked in multiple times to make sure we enjoyed everything. The manager could be seen walking around and checking in with patrons, which was nice to see. The restaurant had good ambiance too. There were large glass windows allowing a view of the capital square and the wooden tables contribute nicely to the vibe. Overall, 9/10, I very much intend to return and would recommend it to people looking for a nice japanese restaurant. read more

Tavernakaya - TK Tonkotsu Ramen - Japanese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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