I had eaten at this place before when it was Zu y Pocha. I am so glad that the menu has not really…read morechanged! Stand out items to order: the corn appetizer, the yellowtail carpaccio, or the salmon carpaccio, and sashimi on the menu. We have tried almost every appetizer and all of them are good. This place is truly not known well enough for the quality of the food. Finally, the servers are amazing, and there is plenty of parking. For some reason, this place is not often busy, so you don't have to wait forever to eat.

Awesome late night spot, for decent quality Japanese eats, and in the Tempe-Scottsdale area. Zu…read moreIzakaya was a solid post-study dinner spot when I was a student, and this time it definitely held up! We were nearby for a show, and decided to stop in on a Wednesday evening for a late dinner with some friends. They have a good happy hour menu, and my friends ordered off there, but I was craving sushi so I got the nigiri omakase. It came with miso soup, which I enjoyed, definitely hard to go wrong there. The sushi itself was decent, nothing crazy, but definitely better than grocery store quality. The tuna and salmon pieces were a little fishy, maybe not the freshest, but it was also quite late (~10pm) so I wasn't expecting too much. Beautifully presented, and the cuts were quite large which was nice! The food came out pretty fast, and the service was pleasant. The restaurant vibes are pretty dark, and moody. The bathroom was kind of scary personally, super dark and a little messy, so I decided to wait till I got home. Overall, a solid experience, and definitely a good choice if I am in the area.

amazing food - even better service…read more the past two times i've visited the two servers have been exceptional. incredible reverse happy hour too!

Full Moon Izakaya was a fun little find! The atmosphere immediately caught our attention the place…read morewas clean, inviting, and the anime decor throughout was such a cool touch. Definitely a vibe for anime lovers! Food-wise, we started with the gyoza and they were delicious. Perfectly cooked and even better dipped in the ponzu sauce! We also tried the sushi flight, which was a great way to sample a few different flavors. Overall, I really enjoyed it, although the eel was probably my least favorite of the flight just personal preference. The crispy tuna rice was easily the star of the meal! Crispy, flavorful, and the textures worked so well together. I would 100% order that again. The ramen, however, was just okay for me. It wasn't bad or inedible, but the broth was lacking that rich, deep flavor I look for in a good bowl of ramen. A little more depth and seasoning would really take it to the next level. The service was honestly one of the highlights. Our waiter was super friendly, cool, and attentive without hovering, which I always appreciate. Overall, there were definitely more hits than misses. The great service, fun atmosphere, and crispy tuna rice are enough for me to give Full Moon Izakaya another try. Next time, I'll be exploring more of the menu!

I came here over 10 years ago when I lived off 3rd Avenue and Camelback. They were the 1st sushi…read moreplace to introduce me to fresh wasabi (it'll change your sushi experience). My car was having issues, set to go for repairs Friday. Thursday had to do some runs. Lyft to do my runs and I'm like I'm getting out the house. Sushi sounds like the plan. I pull up friendly Yelp and look to see if they are still around and they are. Lyft over and it doesn't disappoint, stellar sushi experience but it is on the higher cost side. I ordered the sea bass sashimi special, my favorite the cucumber special roll (just thought about it, this is the 1st place I had that roll). I order it at various places now. But what made my night was the Japanese old fashion. I'm going to see if I can find the simple syrup combo & make this at home it was amazing. I want to go back just for that flipping drink. The waiter was amazing. Fluffy Grandma recommends. 10 Flipping stars!!!

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 !!!

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!

Some restaurants announce themselves with neon lights and a line out the door. Others seem almost…read moredetermined to keep you away. Hai Noon falls firmly into the second category. I booked a solo seat at the bar just two hours before dinner, which, in hindsight, should have been my first clue. The night before, my plans at Chilte had evaporated after I arrived to discover the owner was hosting a baby shower and the ceilings were being painted instead of dinner being served. I wasn't eager to go 0-for-2 on my Scottsdale food pilgrimage. Pulling into what looked more like an aging roadside motor lodge than the home of a James Beard-recognized restaurant, I wondered if Google Maps had developed a sense of humor. I parked around back, followed the sign to the dining room, and found... a locked door. Naturally. For a brief moment I thought the Arizona restaurant gods were playing another practical joke. Then I spotted another entrance simply marked "Bar." Inside, Hai Noon revealed itself as a tiny oasis. Phoenix met Tokyo somewhere in a dimly lit room with clean lines, warm wood, and mellow music humming through the speakers. Three other guests occupied the restaurant--a couple finishing dinner and what appeared to be a delightfully intimate two-person baby shower. I took my place at the bar. The server welcomed me warmly. When I admitted I was in town for work and wanted to experience the restaurant rather than order safely, he smiled and took control. A few menu staples were unavailable but he confidently selected four dishes. The grapefruit avocado hamachi spoons arrived first and immediately justified the trip. Rich, buttery fish balanced against bright citrus acidity with avocado quietly stitching everything together. It's the kind of bite that reminds you why chefs obsess over simplicity done well. The white fish carpaccio followed with a little theater. Hot sesame oil was poured tableside, barely kissing the fish into submission. Fun presentation. Beautiful execution. Though once the spectacle faded, the dish itself never quite reached the same emotional high as the hamachi. The garlic butter mushrooms arrived... in a plastic bag. It shouldn't have worked. It absolutely did. Deeply savory, unapologetically rich, and refreshingly unconcerned with appearances. The house chicken, unfortunately, couldn't keep pace. Twice fried and topped with egg salad alongside a chili vinegar, it sounded far more exciting than it tasted. Sometimes clever combinations simply refuse to become memorable food. Cocktails, however, were another story. My first choice--the Kosho--was unavailable, so I settled on the Japanese Moss, a gin cocktail topped with yuzu cold foam. The foam leaned aggressively tart but never overwhelmed the drink. Later, after finally coaxing the bartender away from his phone, he suggested an off-menu serrano-infused rum cocktail with miso. Complex, vegetal, spicy, balanced. Exactly the sort of drink you hope to discover when you stop ordering from menus. By 7 p.m., I was the only customer left. Summer in Phoenix is merciless. One hundred thirteen degrees has a way of convincing even adventurous diners to stay home. I watched two reservations cancel while chatting with the bartender and server, who explained that between May and August, three tables can qualify as a good night. Location doesn't help either. Hidden behind an unassuming hotel, Hai Noon isn't exactly benefiting from walk-in traffic. The chef emerged from the kitchen several times during service. Each time he glanced at the empty reservation book, quietly acknowledged another cancellation with a shake of his head, and disappeared back into the kitchen without speaking to anyone. There was something heartbreaking about it. Here was someone capable of creating award-winning food, still chasing perfection while circumstances far beyond the plate slowly worked against him. Hai Noon isn't flawless. Service occasionally drifted. One dish missed the mark. The room felt almost too empty. But I'd rather spend an evening in an imperfect restaurant full of ambition than a polished dining room serving food without a soul. I just hope Scottsdale's relentless summer doesn't prove too Hai for many more Noons.

Race is the cutest and best bartender! She had our drinks ready in seconds and food to follow…read morepromptly. She is nothing short of incredible and the kind of bartender you hope for. We love her!

Excellent! From the hostess through the meal I couldn't find anything that didn't impress me here…read more Service was very good. Had plenty of time to peruse the extensive menu. If you're not a sushi lover don't worry, there are plenty of other options. Their menu is on their website. The sushi, ahhh the sushi. Fresh, well presented, and delicious. Not sure what else to say. Prices are more than reasonable (especially during early happy hour).

4.5/5 Had a lovely…read morelunch with my lovely boba and sushi sistah here at Kodo. It's so conveniently located next to Costco that I got my car washed then drove on into the connecting shopping center where the restaurant was at. I had the lunch special that included the rainbow roll, dynamite roll and miso soup. The lunch specials we had were a great deal for the quality and quantity. I had the rainbow+dynamite combo. The fish was fresh and I love the use of purple rice in the rolls. I was pleasantly full from the good food and portions. I would definitely go here again.

I stopped into Kodo Sushi Sake on Northsight Boulevard on a Friday right when they opened at 4:00…read morePM. I was dining solo and had no trouble finding a seat since there's plenty of seating throughout the restaurant. That said, I was surprised by how quickly the place started filling up after opening, which is always a good sign. One of the first things I noticed was the large sushi bar and being able to watch the sushi chefs at work. There were five of them, which I took as a sure sign this place gets busy. I ordered the spider roll, salmon avocado roll, and steamed edamame. Everything was fresh, well-prepared, and exactly what I was hoping for. One unique thing about Kodo is their rice blend. They use a combination of black and white rice, which gives the sushi a distinctive purple color. It's not something you see every day, and it definitely makes their sushi stand out. I also have a food allergy, and the staff handled it carefully and without any issues. They offer fountain drinks, which I always prefer. And I liked their plastic to-go container. It kept my leftovers from getting soggy by next day. Easy five stars.

The best udon and ramen in Phoenix,I've been coming here for seven years. Everything is delicious,…read morebut I especially love the Dragon roll.

Tonkatsu and spicy miso ramen are amazing! Spicy garlic edamame is on point and has a nice kick! We…read morego atleast once a week. Word of advice, they are super busy on wednesdays

5 star dinner restaurant in Central Phoenix. Asian noodle focus with bao buns. Drinks, service,…read moreand entrees were all top notch. Able to get a reservation for Thursday night at 6.30. Most of the lower set tables were taken so the rez came in handy. Ample bar seating available however. Greeted right away by server and offered drink menus. Both the drinks were phenomenal. I originally wanted the Asahi but they were out of it so they gave me a Japanese Lager from Los Angeles (?), blanking on the name. The Caipirinia was the other drink which was made authentically as well. No complaints on the bartender. Food was 3 Bao Buns and a Chow Mein entree with grilled chicken added on top. This was the perfect amount of food for 2 people. The Bao Buns were extremely soft and light on the breading. If you get them from Din Tai Fung they tend to be dough heavy. These were NOT like that. Chicken and Eggplant buns were tasty and had a light kick to them. Noodles were probably the weakest items, I prefer the rice/flat noodles, but these were normal chow mein noodles. But I had to split the dish with my dining companion who enjoyed the noodles quite a bit. I'd go with Udon or Flat Noodles next time and ask them to add chili flakes. No room for dessert but it sounded delicious, something with bananas. Mhmmm!

Found this spot while craving some Asian food, which can be surprisingly hard in this city. We…read morewalked in on a weekday about 30 mins before they closed and they happily seated us. There were still about 4 groups still in the restaurant, but was mainly open. I could see this place getting busy during the weekends though, so recommend a res if you're here during peak hours. We started with cold sake and a couple of cocktails. Super cute and yummy drinks, creative and complimented the overall theme. The Asahi beer was huge and came with an ice cold glass, perfect! We got the orange chicken and drunken noodles with added chicken breast. The food was fresh and tasty. I liked that the orange chicken came with rice, and was not overly breaded. The drunken noodles were pretty salty but overall good. These two entrees were enough for two people to take a little bit of leftovers home. Recommend for a nice date night or if looking for some Asian fusion. We'll be back!