Just what I needed. Service was efficient and friendly. Food was amazing. First bite, I just…read morecould resist was the a5 wagyu caviar sushi. It is an amazing bite of food. Next I had the Signature Toripaitan, which had an amazing broth, noodles had a good bite, eggs were done nicely, a little truffle but too overpowering. Was still spoiling myself so I made another order of Wagyu and ikura and of Wagyu and caviar to end the meal. Both were so good.

A friend of mine wanted me to try out Mensho and brought me to the Phoenix location which is tucked…read morein a cute little plaza amongst other eateries. The interior is absolutely gorgeous and upon entering the staff greets you in a traditional Japanese greeting. We arrived just before a rush of people and were seated promptly. Unfortunately, I was not able to try the ramen () due to all of the soup bases containing mushrooms, bummer!! However, I did order the Kaarage, which was crispy, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. The eggplant was also delicious and refreshing. We also ordered Corn Wings and Garlic Edamame which were also delicious!

Popped into this place for our last meal before leaving AZ and it did not disappoint! We were the…read morefirst people in. When we walked in it had a very fishy smell, so it kind of made us second guess our choice. But we went for it anyhow. The greeter/server was very pleasant and sat us. It was very clean inside with ample space between seat. We browsed through the menu and started with our usual edamame and pot stickers. The edamame was salted well throughout where a lot of places just put the salt on top only. We ordered a couple varieties of sake which were both good. Out of all of the things we ordered the karange skewer was just a little more oily than were use to, but still good. The spicy salmon roll had really great flavor and the lollipop roll was probably one of the better versions that we have had. The musubi was giant to say the least, it was good, but offered a bit too much rice. Overall the food and service was great and we were very happy that we ended up here!

On a Sunday evening, after checking out the Desert Botanical Garden, I was looking for some food in…read morethe area. I came across Zu Izakaya and it's great reviews as one of the options. I love Japanese food so my decision was made. I drove over and parked in their complimentary lot. Ambiance (3.5/5): I've been to Japan and there are plenty of izakayas there. Think of them as small bars which often serve solid food. Zu fits that bit. It's a relatively small restaurant, probably seats about 30 people. and it's pretty no frills for a Japanese spot. I was seated at a booth in the corner of the restaurant. They have free WiFi which is always a good touch. Service (3/5): Service was friendly, though a bit inconsistent. My waitress wasn't as attentive as I would have liked. The type of service where you have to flag them down to get what you want and to close out. Drinks (4/5): Zu has a nice menu of Japanese and Korean beverages, including sake, soju, Japanese beer, and more. With that being said, I just had an iced green tea. Food (4/5): I got a nice variety. I went with the Japanese sausage off of the grill menu, the OBI mayo roll off of the sushi menu, and the cheese corn off of the appetizer menu. Let's start with the sausage. It's a small item, two small sausages, but absolutely delicious. The sausage was bursting with flavor and basted in a sweet sauce. Minus the portion size, perfection. The cheese corn also hit the spot, but the execution was off. The corn is served on a hot platter, and unfortunately some of the corn on the edges was badly burnt. The type of situation where they should start over. Which they didn't. Lastly, the OBI mayo roll is essentially a California roll with marinated warm shrimp on top in a mayo sauce. I didn't love the hot and cold combo (shrimp and sushi), but outside of the temperature, it was a delicious roll. All in all, a very food meal. My only gripe with Japanese food is that it can get expensive quick. Given that Zu is in Tempe, I was hoping that prices would be a little cheaper. With that being said, they do have a solid happy hour (and reverse happy hour) with both food and drink specials. Next time I stop by, I'd like to check out some of their Korean options. I focused on the Japanese stuff this time (which makes the majority of the menu). Next time around, the bulgogi is calling my name!

Let's get the most important thing out of the way:…read more You need the crispy rice with spicy tuna. It's not a want. It's a need. I pop in here probably once a month. I'm assuming it's a family-owned joint because the one and only guy working front of house always takes care of me. He's awesome. The place is cute. It's tastefully decorated, and they have a very-on-brand, ginormous full moon light on the wall that's illuminated from behind. It's super cool. I've only ever seen a couple other diners in there with me at any time. The food comes out super fast, which is great, because I'm hungry as soon as i step in the place. The prices are reasonable, the portions are generous, and the food is always good. If you're in the area, this place is a must-stop.

We found this place by accident. My daughter and I arrived around 6pm on a Saturday. There were no…read morepeople there. Slowly others started to arrive about half hour later. I ordered hot sake and it did not disappoint. My daughter got a Ramune, miso soup, and shrimp tempura roll. No complaints! Miso soup was missing tofu that day. Apparently they were all out. Nevertheless the soup was very nice! I got two specialty rolls. The names escape me at the moment. The menu doesn't have a huge selection of rolls but I found what I like and both were VERY good! Good amount of fish vs rice. Everyone is very attentive. Service is very good. The ambiance is interesting :) nothing fancy but not too bland either. There are full moon/moon related decorations. The rolls are also named with the Moon theme in mind. Overall very nice and we will be back to try their ramen !

My wife and I celebrated our 24th Anniversary and decided on coming here. This was our first visit…read more This is authentic Japanese cuisine and every dish is perfection. We ordered a lot between us two, we wanted to indulge for dinner. Ambience inside is quaint with dim lighting. Large TV flat screen showing the Lakers playing the Celtics. Lakers got crushed sadly. The hostess, the servers, and the entire staff were exceedingly accommodating. They refilled my Ginger Ale without me asking, very nice and appreciated. The have a very extensive alcohol selection. Everything that was served to us was masterfully created, taste was a taste bud paradise. So I'm born and raised in Hawaii, I know there's mediocre sushi and than there are places like Hana Japanese Eatery. This place is like eating sushi in Hawaii, super fresh and delicious. See the pics I took. We ordered enough food for 5 people between my wife and I. We will be back again !!! This place has the absolute best customer service. They didn't overlook or forget anything, they provided extra napkins when they saw we needed some. They explained all the sauce profiles for the different dishes. Come to Hana Japanese Eatery and you will not be disappointed. This is your future fave sushi spot. This is officially my wife and I favorite sushi spot in Phoenix !!!

We had Hana cater our annual Spring party, and as expected, the food was outstanding. Even guests…read morewho don't usually care for sushi found themselves enjoying everything. Thank you, Lynn and Lori!

Another absolutely amazing food experience from Chef Nobuo Fukuda who already gifted us with great…read moredishes made with Sonoran produce at SeeSaw back in the 90's, and Teeter House downtown. The retro-vibed atmosphere of the Papago Motor Inn complements the laid back pace of your meal. This is not a sushi spot or an Izakaya. Hai Noon is a chef presenting southwestern ingredients in a most respectful, flavorful and innovative manner. I was lucky enough to return 3 times in the past month. To my surprise, ingredients and sauces did not repeat themselves, and dishes were completely distinct in flavor and presentation. This is definitely my favorite food experience of the past few years...anywhere. All of our visits were handled by our waiter/guide "Arizona", who described dishes, and when asked what his favorites were (and unlike many other places that say everything is good when it isn't), he informed us we would love everything, but he could help us with the order we ate them, and suggest a sampling if we were just picking out a half dozen dishes. He was right. Everything was captivating, surprising and...absolutely delicious. Do not miss the specials...there will be 4 or 5 on a small piece of paper, and a couple of "special" drinks. These are seasonal items the chef wants to add because of the timing and presentation. They exemplify the category...they are indeed, SPECIAL. The second visit established a pattern. Have Arizona order, until you are full. He checked in with us along the way, and made a few modifications based on our hunger level, and allowing for certain dishes to be repeated. A few things really stood out because I hadn't tasted anything quite like those dishes. Other dishes ie: variations on classic aguachile, were just better than anything I've had elsewhere. Salmon and Whitefish carpaccios were both stellar, with really good hot sesame oil adding to the dish's garlic, ginger and Yuzu base. And, when you are done with the last bite of fish, they bring out rich, grilled slices of bread to mop up that sauce. We last started with Sashimi featuring Sea Bream, that had fatty belly, and less fatty but oh-so-flavorful filet slices, and an accompanying broth. Big Eye Tuna was served on a flavorful beet puree with sweet dark cherry wine notes. Since we didn't read the menu's notes before, a quick check showed that Nobuo does create a Pinot Noir reduction that invites wiping the plate clean. The first time, the Tuna and all traces of the puree were finished by the time Arizona walked out to describe the dish for us. That's why I re-ordered it each time we visited. Soup spoons present a sashimi/ceviche/aguachile experience that is delicate, nuanced, complex and downright spectacular in your mouth. Whether it showcased an oyster, hamachi or kampachi, each spoon was an amazing taste experience with complementing flavors and textures that were completely unexpected. Softshell Crab with cold noodles was the most succulent Softshell crab I have ever enjoyed, warm, beautifully moist and flavor popping within its crispy exterior, set off by the chilled vinegar and broth accented noodles. Brussel Sprouts with a honey mustard and wasabi glaze disappeared immediately. As it turns out, wasabi is the missing ingredient in many Brussel Sprout dishes! The Yams with goat cheese and Fresno chiles reminded me of the amazing fire-grilled gourds and yam dishes I have had at Bacanora...just unique and different. Two Wash chicken was beautifully caramelized finger food that I could also have made a meal out of. We thought it was amazing, and then the chef came out and told us how inspired he was when he first met the chicken farmers and cooked with their chicken, and if possible, the chicken became even more memorable for the story and connection. Curry marinated lamb was rich, and savory, and was another dish I could make a meal out of. The Pork Belly and Mushroom rice was likewise delicious, and full or deep umami richness and delectable meat and mushroom morsels. The Mushrooms en papillote (mushrooms served in paper), had absorbed what tasted like a delicious Veal Stock, were tastily caramelized, and then steamed in the paper container. They were so good we had to have another...and we weren't skimping on food. Beverages (Alcoholic and non) get the same attention. The cocktail list sounds absolutely crazy, with improbable ingredients. But all of the ones we sampled work, and they are wonderful (sharing amongst our table, we have now tried over half of the cocktails...and so far, they are damn great drinks). The beer selection is small and ideal for the food, as are the well-chosen cold sakes that span all budgets. It is better with a small group of people so you can really explore the breadth of fabulous offerings, but I think it's also an amazing spot to share food on a date!

Intimate space for a nice dinner! I like the cozy/homey vibes mixed with the upscale food choices…read more Would recommend: the pork belly mushroom rice changed our lives. It was SO DELICIOUS. Wow. I could eat this every day and never get sick of it. Melts in your mouth. A must order. Wouldn't recommend: the salmon sashimi. The salmon was room temperature/a little warm which threw me off and made it tough to enjoy. Maybe a cold plate for serving would help combat this! The flavor was there, but the temperature made me nervous. Maybe order: the yams. For me, it had way too much topping in a small bowl, which made it overwhelming. Some of the yams were undercooked, but there is a lot of potential for this dish!

The Vegas roll is one of the best. The bartender Race is the absolute best!! A great spot to have…read moreas a good to with happy hour 830pm to close and 3-6pm

Back again! Really enjoy the food, service & people…read more Got the Ramen, sushi, sake, beer tempura. Our server Klara is wonderful. The only drawback is the volume, the acoustics reverberate throughout the dining room.

I haven't had sushi in a while, so I suggested this spot to meet up with my boba sistah. We got…read morethere a few minutes after they opened at 11am and had the place to ourselves. They have a table or two outside but they're not setup for outdoor seating, fyi. The restaurant is nicely decorated and dark, which took some getting used to. We were greeted warmly and chose a booth towards the right. I had noticed their lunch specials offered M-F 11-2pm so we both ordered from that menu. I got the L/Cali+Shrimp Tempura Combo: California Roll (Half Size), Shrimp Tempura Roll (Half Size), Gyoga(3PCS), Miso Soup. My companion got the L/Rainbow+Dynamite Combo: Rainbow Roll (Half Size), Dynamite Roll (Half Size), 2PCS Nigiri (Chef Choice), Miso Soup. Our soups were brought out pretty quickly and our food not long after. For the price point ($12) and quantity, my lunch special was definitely worth it. It came with 10 California rolls, 5 shrimp tempura rolls, and 3 gyozas. I was pleased to see their gyozas have chicken in them, usually they have pork so I can't eat them. I love their purple rice - so unique. I don't think I'd tried it before and it was good. All of the items I tried were fresh and flavorful. Service was great and I was surprised it wasn't busier during their lunch hour. Maybe later on or dinner gets more of a crowd. I'm glad we tried out this spot and I'd love to come back!

Kodo is one of those places that once you try, it becomes your regular sushi spot. Located a few…read moreminute away from the Scottsdale airport, it should be the first restaurant on your list as you leave the airport. They offer plenty of parking. Sitting options are plenty -inside and outside. The restaurant layout is inviting and the staff are attentive and knowledgeable. The menu is simple and offers a lot of sushi, nigiri and sashimi choices. In this trip we got some sashimi, a few rolls and the delicious Ahi Tower. Everything was fresh and tasty. The rolls we got were Blue Ocean Roll, Salmon Lover Roll and Mt. Fuji Roll. If you're in the area, don't hesitate to stop by and give them a try. You will not be disappointed!

We love coming here for the ramen and sashimi! Always satisfying and worth the drive. Great service…read moretoo!

As mentioned before, greeted immediately & very welcoming. No intimidation for new sushi/japanese…read morefood peeps. Very simple menu & selections. We had the sizzling salmon entree. I had the sashimi salad w/ponzu dressing & a bowl of rice. I didnt eat the salad part, just the sashimi w/my hot rice! Next time, tempura udon. I can't ever resist. The bowls aren't as big as what you get in japan, but large for US (Ramen & Udon)

This place is very yummy. They have an amazing atmosphere and ambiance. Great place for a cute…read moredinner or lunch date. Every time i go i have never had a bad experience and enjoy my time. The servers are always nice and glad to serve with a smile. They have really good calamari and ramen. It is a amazing and cute place.

Disclaimer: I have been a Clever Koi loyalist since their ramen rewired my brain. So when I say…read morethis visit had some highs and lows, understand that I am coming from a place of love, not grievance. Their ramen alone is worth the trip. This was one meal, not a verdict. We planted ourselves on the patio, which has genuinely great atmosphere. Phoenix in April means you are playing thermal roulette with your will to live, and some misters would not go unappreciated. Service was fantastic: we had what felt like a whole school of staff looking after us, and every single one of them knew the menu, had great recommendations, and seemed personally invested in getting hot food to our table at a speed that bordered on supernatural. Now the drinks: The Overnight is what sophisticated apple juice dreams about when it finally goes to therapy and starts making better choices. Delicate, elegant, with a soft foam that has absolutely no business being that pretty. It arrives with a tiny scoop of green tea ice cream that is subtle and perfect as a chaser. Drink of the night, no contest. The Caipirinha is a genuine unicorn on Phoenix menus because of the specialty spirit, cachaça, in it and it was beautifully done. It is a touch sweet for my lime-forward preferences, but my husband absolutely loved it. The Pornstar Martini is everything the name promises and nothing you would hesitate to recommend to your most judgmental aunt. The passionfruit actually comes through, which sounds like the bare minimum but is apparently a radical act in cocktail culture because of the delicate flavor. Pure summer in a glass and I would order it again without blinking. On to the food, where things get a little more complicated: The Chorizo Wonton special had real potential and great chorizo that was clearly trying its heart out. Unfortunately the wonton wrapper arrived and decided to throw a wet blanket over the entire proceedings. The chorizo had somewhere to go and the wrapper simply would not let it go there. However, the pickled onions served alongside are a 10/10. The 3 for $18 steamed buns were the main event of the evening. The buns themselves are soft, pillowy, and structurally perfect, which makes what I am about to say about some of the fillings all the more tragic: The pork belly bun is just... fine, perhaps the most devastating thing you can say about pork belly, which has no business being merely fine. It runs a little dry, a little too thick, and needs significantly more hoisin to reach anything close to its potential. The sauce exists but it is doing the bare minimum. 6/10 The hot chicken bun redeems the situation considerably. Thigh meat instead of breast and is genuinely flavorful and while the hot sauce is more generic than exciting, it gets the job done without embarrassing itself. A respectable recovery. 8/10. The BBQ plum meatball bun is currently the Bun of the Moment and I need everyone involved in this restaurant's decision making to sit down because I have some things to say. That plum sauce is sweet and slightly smoky and the meatballs are perfectly tender with a ginger note that shows up with confidence. We loved this bun so much that we physically interrupted the table next to us mid-conversation to recommend it. I heard the chef is considering adding it to the permanent menu, and I would like to formally submit my vote, my husband's vote, and the votes of our neighboring diners who received our unsolicited opinion whether they wanted it or not. Add it to the menu. I will not be taking questions. 10/10, perfect, do not touch it. The Char Sui Pork Banh Mi is where I must tread carefully, partly out of fairness and partly because I know in my heart that some of this is personal taste rather than kitchen failure. The flavors ran very sweet with no acidity showing up to mediate, and the whole thing just was not for me. The Thai salad side, however, is a more objective situation. The bang bang dressing was applied with such aggressive restraint that I began to wonder if the kitchen was rationing it for an emergency. What remained was a bowl of cabbage doing a joyless impression of a salad that had given up on itself. Here is where I land: Clever Koi is a genuinely great restaurant having a complicated relationship with a couple of its dishes, which happens to the best of us. The cocktail program is vast and outstanding, the staff is warm and efficient and somehow makes you feel like the most important table in the room, the ramen is the stuff of legend, and the meatball bun is currently the most consequential thing happening in Phoenix. I will be back. I will be ordering the meatball bun in quantities that will concern the kitchen. Five stars, because I have a vested interest in that meatball bun sticking around and I am not above a little strategic encouragement on Yelp.

Hands down one of the best restaurants in Phoenix, imho…read more Love their pasta dishes and the staff is always nice and friendly. While the restaurant is small it's nice and clean! Bon Appetit

Had a nice dinner here with friends last night. We arrived around 8pm and were seated in one of the…read moretwo booths right at the entrance. It's a cool fusion place with sushi, ramen and Italian pasta. While I was tempted to try the pasta, the extremely spicy gyoza potstickers called to me even more. My friends enjoyed some beef udon and katsudon. I also had a glass of Chardonnay. The service was nice and the decor seemed a bit fusion as well- abstract art, European style paintings etc the holiday lights added a nice touch too. I enjoyed my spicy potstickers, they had a great heat- although I did not expect there to be so much broth; it was essentially dumpling soup, but it was tasty. My friends liked their meals too and we had a good time hanging out and catching up. I would recommend. Pretty good value/price!