I am from the east coast originally and transplanted myself to Oregon permanently four years ago. I had given up on finding ramen that tasted so good your soul thanked you. I've found good ramen or pho around this state but not the kind that you crave on a rainy day or when you realize you're coming down with a cold. Not the soulful comforting kind. When I first tasted the ramen here it brought a tear to my eye. Finally, a ramen I would crave and drive 2.5 hours to enjoy. As for ambiance, it's not like any other restaurant in town. Very authentic to the fun side of Japan and feels a bit like dining inside of an old school arcade. Lots to look at and chat about while you eat! Thank you for providing a taste of home and good food for me to crave! read more

Great cool vibe, friendly staff, fun pacman 1up arcade.... Then the great stuff sort of stop there. Our kids both ordered the kid's shoyu ramen, the broth tasted like water with soy sauce, noodle was fine, soft boiled egg was OK, but the fish cake tasted off. Both kids didn't finish. The gyu fried rice was pretty salty, the "steak" pieces were tiny, just overall below average. The yakitori was nice, both chicken and belly pork were grilled nicely. Mu wife had the takoyaki and that was mediocre. This is prob a cool spot to drink and snack, I wouldn't recommend coming here for the food. read more

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Service and ambiance was incrediable Food needed a professional culinary touch. Ok I needed more words to compete my review. Chef you know better:) read more

Took my mom there for a birthday lunch. Really nice staff, great curries, bentos and hot sake! I'll be back for the teriyakidon!

The food, the ambiance and service here was amazing. We didn't get to try the regular menu since it was a late night menu with some karaoke. However, the small menu and drinks made it very intimate and the singing at the restaurant was so much fun. The owner and her partner were the best hosts ever and oh my god, if you come to late night you need to hear her sing. She might as well be trying out for American idol or Americas got talent. read more

Yokocho Izakaya - Inside dining and decoration - Japanese Near Me - Bend, Oregon

Yokocho Izakaya is all about the fun and lively Izakaya vibes of Japan. It does a good job of channeling the color, energy and atmosphere, while providing patrons the convenience of a sit down restaurant. (Though I will note, you may end up sitting on milk cartons as part of this ambiance.) We ordered a spread of food to share, and while I won't say it was bad, it didn't knock my socks off either. The Agedashi Tofu was a little too firm (not silken perhaps?); the Karaage was tasty, especially with the aioli, but mostly reminiscent of regular fried chicken; the Okonomiyaki was still doughy/wet in the center; and Kim's Fried Rice was mushy and lacking in texture (wet/fresh rice it would seem). The udon carbonara riff was probably my favorite thing. The service was good, and as I mentioned it's a fun spot, but I didn't have quite the food vacation I was hoping for. I will say, my dining companions had been before, and I did get the sense this experience may not have lived up to their prior visits, so perhaps it was an anomaly. read more

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WOW! This will be at the top of the returning places when I visit Bend again. We ordered Yokocho House Salad, pork chop main dish, Tongkatsu, and a kids ramen. Let's just say that if we had more room in our belly's we would have finished it all. Somehow we managed to make room for the dessert - Brioche French Toast with ice cream was out of this world. The best I've ever had. This place is a hidden gym. Service was fantastic. The ambiance was beautiful. I love that it feels like you walk in and it's like you walked in and traveled to Japan. read more

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Best Japanese food in bend and the building is super cool looking. The waiters are really nice and I would definitely recommend eating here

- Karaage Curry - (fried chicken in a mild curry sauce). What I ordered, a solid dish, maybe a little too mild. Fried chicken well prepared. - Salmon with Miso Soup - Reported by tablemate to be "great!" - Kim's Fried Rice - Also reported to be very tasty. - Cocktail - Their version of an old fashioned (I forget what they called it). This is a proper old fashioned with a single large ice cube and citrus peel. Very nice. - Agedashi tofu - a small plate with wonderfully prepared tofu. - Edamame - small plate, fairly bland, needed salt. The restaurant offers several seating options but all are uncomfortable. I chose the metal folding chair with a cushion - my back didn't like it. Not going to even try the milk crate seats. This would be a four-star review except for this. Very nice ambiance. Top tier service. Prices are about what you get in Bend these days. read more

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New resto in Bend, just across Boneyard Beer brewery. Food was excellent. I ordered ala carte for vegetarian options, which included the hard-boiled egg, onigiri, and seaweed salad. That was more than enough for my dinner. Service was excellent. The staff were super nice especially our server. The ambiance feels like you're in Japan because of all the anime decorations. It's perfect for big groups because they have long tables. read more

Yokocho Izakaya - AJI TAMAGO (hard-boiled egg marinated in mirin and soy sauce), YAKIN ONIGIRI (rice glazed with sweet sauce), WAKAME SEAWEED (seaweed salad) - Japanese Near Me - Bend, Oregon

We had a huge fantastic meal here and tried a whole much of items. Edamame was prefect, the poblano peppers were amazing, the gyozas were super fresh, yakitori was tender and flavorful. Chicken Karaage was tasty but passable. For entrees we got many styles of fried rice which were all delicious, chicken yakisoba which I had and was yummy and even the grilled salmon was good. Salmon sashimi salad was also a hit. Kitche deco makes it fun too! Our server was very nice and attentive. It was kind of loud in there although we were a large group too. read more

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We dropped in kind of last minute around 8:30, and they still welcomed us in without hesitation. The vibe instantly felt like being tucked away in a little Tokyo alley -- anime posters on the walls, Sailor Moon playing in the background, and that perfect cozy hum you want from an izakaya. We started with mocktails -- one Yuzu and one Chrysanthemum. Both were refreshing, but the Yuzu absolutely stole the show: bright, citrusy, and perfectly balanced. We didn't even realize the menu had a backside until after we ordered a bunch of appetizers, but honestly? No regrets. Everything that came out was spot on. The miso soup was warm (not scalding, thankfully), which kept the probiotic cultures alive and the flavor pure and savory. The bacon-wrapped asparagus was smoky and tender, the mochi skewers were such a fun texture contrast, and the house salad was huge with an insanely good dressing -- tangy, nutty, and addictive. The gyoza with ponzu was crisp-edged perfection, and the kimchi had that ideal balance of heat and funk. Amy, our server, deserves her own shoutout -- funny, personable, and genuinely helpful with recommendations. She really made the experience feel personal. Overall, Yokocho Izakaya feels like a hidden gem that captures the heart of Japanese comfort food and culture. Can't wait to come back (next time we'll actually flip the menu over). read more

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We went to Yokocho Izakaya for our daughter's 10th birthday and had such a fun night. The vibe is lively and playful -- from the lanterns to the arcade games (our girls loved Pac-Man and spotting Totoro). Food was great across the board. Skewers were perfectly cooked, ramen was flavorful, and drinks hit the spot. Service stayed friendly even with a busy crowd. The dessert and candles made it extra festive It can get packed, so plan to come early or be ready to wait. Totally worth it -- this spot feels like a little slice of Japan in Bend and made for a memorable celebration. read more

If you like ramen/noodle dishes, it is good. But the fried squid dish was way over cooked. The teriyaki chicken rice bowl was dry and rubbery and when asked for some more sauce, it took forever for a tiny little (tablespoon) of sauce to come out. Ambiance is cute. I don't think we'll be back unless we want some noodles. Maybe. read more

Food was great! Great service! Loved it! It was everything I thought it would be! Definitely recommend!! read more

Yokocho Izakaya - Japanese Near Me - Bend, Oregon

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First of all, it is SO cool in here. Really fun atmosphere, good music, anime projected on the wall. I'd want to come here even if the food wasn't good, but thankfully the food is amazing as well. We ordered a bunch of appetizers and some drinks and it was hit after hit. Definitely will be regularly coming back. read more

Yokocho Izakaya - Japanese Near Me - Bend, Oregon

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Interesting ambiance, good service, overcooked calamari, bland octopus balls, Kim's fried rice was quite good. Probably will give another try read more

Yokocho is one of those places that keeps you coming back again and again. The service is always amazing, and the chef and his wife are absolute sweethearts--you can truly feel the care and love they put into everything they do. The fried rice is one of my all-time favorites (comforting, perfectly seasoned, and so satisfying), and the takoyaki is a must-order every single time. Honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu--everything is consistently delicious and thoughtfully prepared. Such a gem in Bend. Cozy, welcoming, and full of heart. Highly recommend! read more

We stopped at Yokocho Izakaya on our way through Bend and we were so glad we tried it! The ambience of the restaurant's interior is so cute, with the option to sit outside, as well. The server was sweet, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed. We ordered chicken karaage, Japanese fried rice with beef, and tonkatsu curry. Everything was cooked to perfection and full of flavor! The pork cutlet of the tonkatsu curry was so tender and juicy that I thought it was chicken at first. The outside, breaded with panko, was super crunchy. Just delicious ... We will definitely keep it on our list of favorite places to frequent in Bend! read more

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Went in to make an order to go. Cool place with a fun inside decor. The waitress was very friendly and nice. Had a beer while I waited for the order which didn't take long at all. The fried rice order was real tasty with pork belly and kimchi on the side. An appetizer order of karaage chicken was fantastic. I'd order this as main anytime. Anyway, it was my first time trying this place and I will be going back. read more

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Incredible atmosphere, food and drinks were amazing. Curry Ramen was 10/10. Takoyaki was great would definitely order again. Their sake selection is great and the customer service was fantastic as well. Will be returning read more

Yokocho Izakaya - Takoyaki - Japanese Near Me - Bend, Oregon

Great everything. Food service design. Just go. You won't be disappointed. Each visit has been great

I get the vibe they were going for, but didn't hit the mark for me and most likely will not be back. Server gave incorrect information and wasn't charismatic at all. Majority of guests are sitting on crates for seats (I see what they were trying to do as far as aesthetic, but just ended up being uncomfortable). Most importantly, the food just wasn't good. The chicken green onion skewers could have had more time over the fire, as should the bacon wrapped asparagus. It's off putting when meat is overly fatty and rubbery. Gyoza were aiight. Nice crispy edges, but I would say nothing amazing. Salad was overpowered by Bonita flakes and seaweed making it overly fishy tasting. Pork belly shishito peppers - pork rubbery with no caramelization. Ramen, egg and broth were decent, but everything else like noodles and chashu were lacking. Also, they have no chili oil. Would have rather spent money elsewhere and left underwhelmed. Could be a cool place to just grab a beer and sake. read more

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Sorry, requiring a credit card to hold a reservation is one thing (don't like it but understand it) but then further requiring us to agree that they can charge our card in the future "in accordance with their terms" is over the top. This is DINNER, not birthing a child. We won't go here (or anywhere else) that has this kind of policy. I've heard great things about them but won't find out. Too many great restaurants in this town. read more

My family and I wanted to have a sit down with authentic Japanese food and we found this place. All the staff were amazing with great food and outstanding service. read more

Went there to celebrate. Wife, friend and her boy. We didn't see it's an automatic 20% gratuity when using credit card. We had left 20% cash tip and they still charged the auto gratuity. So server made out with 49% tip. We will not return and never ever recommend. read more

I really like the food and the ambiance here but the service is absolutely atrocious, 5pm on a Friday 1 waiter fairly empty dining room. 10 mins to get seated at a table with uncushioned miniature stools. Eventually left after it had been a total of 30 minutes waiting and my lower back couldn't take it anymore. Get your act together. read more

Great food. Service was great. Try the Tamagawa sake. Really good. Really loved the people working.

The most authentic experience Ive had outside of Japan - anywhere in the area. Amazing decor, friendly people , delicious food :)

Best Japanese food we've ever had, so nicely flavored, everything tastes fantastic, get here early if you don't have a reservation The inside is so cool and well decorated the ambiance!! read more

Been here a few times for lunch after visiting Japan and it's awesome every time! The food is the closest you'll get to eating food in Japan but you save on airfare. read more

This post is about the food. The service was great and the ambiance is awesome, unitl the kitchen became very smoky. Some of the food needs to be upscaled, as the $23 bowl of mushy fried rice with wiggly silvered "ribeye" was not as good as expected. I have traveled to asia many time and fried rice is fresh and very flavorful. Although I liked the fried garlic inside the rice, the rice istelf seems old and mushy. The Tonkastu pork was tender but the crusty panko fell off. The pork Gyozas were tender and good. read more

Been here 2 times now, food is mediocre, atmosphere is also mediocre. Food: i have had a handful of different things. My biggest complaints are the mushrooms were microwaved (hot on the outside and cold on the inside), extremely salty ramen with no flavor and chewy tonkatsu. The noodles were also overcooked and mushy. I could make better ramen at home. Some good -- curry isn't bad but just the same as the boxed curry you can get at the grocery store. Atmosphere: small tables for an Izakaya style they are going for. The milk cartons aren't comfortable or reminiscent of Japan. Lastly, the price point is typical Bend (expensive for what you get) read more

Top notch across the board, apps are amazing - skewers are so so so good. The shrimp rice bowl thing I ordered had so much flavor, A++++ do come eat here asap, very very worth it!!!!! read more

Yokocho Izakaya - Dirty Fries - Japanese Near Me - Bend, Oregon

Can't wait to go back!!! The vibes! The food! The drinks! The dessert! Wow! We needed a spot like this! We were all so happy with the unique flavors and the incredible service! Next time we will order more starters! So hard to choose! Thanks for a great night! Highly recommended! read more

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I arrived into bend for business and found this place near my hotel. Some hearty ramen sounded good for the evening. I checked the hours online and closing was noted as 9pm. I left my hotel and arrived at the restaurant at 8:35 only to be told they were closing early due to slow business and could only do to go orders. I'm not paying for premium ramen just to eat it from a to go bowl in my hotel room. If you're not going to stay open until your posted closing time then change your closing time. Not doing so wasted my time and left me without an alternative option. Your business is slow because you're not serving your potential customers with exemplary service and a great product. read more

Tiny portions, premium prices. The portions were surprisingly small for the price point. For what we paid, I expected a more substantial serving, but the dishes felt more like appetizers than full meals. While taste may have been thoughtful, the overall value just wasn't there. It's difficult to justify the cost when you leave still feeling hungry. read more

A friend recommended this place. Was excited to try it. Went in right at 5pm last night. Service was good. We had no less than 5 people serve us at different times. Kinda strange but everyone was nice and I'd rather have that than no service. Food was just Ok. I got the special, some Japanese beef fried rice thing. Was bland and the meat was chewy. The ambience is fun and the place filled up quick. It's a cute place with good service. The food on its own I would only give 2 stars. Not a place I will go back anytime soon. $140 for a dinner for 2. We did get a couple nice small bottles of saki's. Poppy seed cheese cake dessert was pretty good. Nothing to write home about but it was different and interesting. read more

I've ordered the Ika Geso several times before through Uber Eats. I liked the fact that it was not like the other restaurants in that it wasn't those calamari rings, as you can see in their pic. Well, tonight's delivery was so disappointing and that's the last time I'll order from there unfortunately. This time I got soggy calamari rings that were cold. Sorry. read more

The Isakaya dishes were very good! Weak ramen unfortunately. Uncomfortable seating otherwise fun vibes. Reasonable prices. read more