Matcha was so yummy and the Omurice. the music and environment was so
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omurice
Nadia Z.
We loved the ambiance was very peaceful and all the decorations from outside painting to real pink flowers on the table and matching pink glasses were just so cute and well designed. Jasmine tea was served in a cute tea pot and they served without the tea leaves which makes the tea not bitter but soft flavor. Portions are big, worth the price. Egg omelette dish was good but had little too much tomato sauce. Our waitress was friendly. We really loved the house chicken broth soup and salad comes with sesame dressing. Overall, would recommend to anyone!
Dung N.
This cafe is so cute! My friend lives in Arizona, but came out to kick start by birthday month. We didn't have reservations, but were able to get bar seating. There were a lot of items I wanted to try! I started with a hochija latte and she got a pot of hot tea. My drink was delicious! We got the full set, which comes with an entree, soup, salad, and dessert. For our entrees, we chose the salmon and plum onigiri. The onigiris were huge, but I like mine with more filling. The soup and salad was okay- I would probably skip the full set next time. We also got some karaage and it was flavorful. I also tried the tamago sandwich. The bread was so soft! For dessert, we got mochi as part of our set. I also got a mango parfe with a candle as our second dessert. I'm not sure if this was complimentary or not haha. I was definitely full and happy. I didn't have enough room to try their fruit sando. I will have to get that next time!
Mia E.
Servers are so sweet!! Food is great, decorations are great. Portions are on the smaller side
Sarah H.
When this place first opened, the hype was real, and I was excited to try it. In short: it's nothing special, but it brings you back to home, to childhood. I ordered the omurice and the gratin, accompanied by a side of soup. For dessert, we went with the strawberry and matcha mochi. It's simple and nice, evoking that comforting feeling of a home-cooked meal. However, for those expecting a wow factor, it might fall short. It's more of a comforting, familiar taste. The side soup, one of my weaknesses, was pleasant with straightforward flavors, nothing extraordinary. The prices are reasonable, making it a good spot for a simple Japanese meal. Manage your expectations - it's cozy and feels like home, but it won't blow your mind. Parking is on the street, but I've never had trouble finding a spot. The little space inside is cozy, adding to the overall experience.
Katherine W.
Came here for Valentine's Day and the decor was perfect as it is beautifully decorated with tasteful details. We ordered karaage and omurice and both were solid but not the best we've had. The service was excellent and they even gave us a rose on our way out which was very thoughtful!
Ashley D.
This is such a lovely new cafe/lunch spot. I visited on a weekday afternoon as I heard it was small and could be difficult to get a seat during popular hours. The decor is very cozy and reminiscent of spots in Japan. We ordered the karaage and the yakisoba. Both were delicious. The food was not too heavy and really good for lunch. I'd love to come back to try the desserts and teas.
Vic J.
cute cozy cafe with baby pink aesthetics! everything we ordered was so tasty - onigiri was packed with flavor, the spaghetti was nicely cooked, the matcha and hojicha latte were super good, and the chicken karaage was unique! i would come visit this restaurant again to try other items on the menu. love the little details they focused on such as the color aesthetic & interior design. food - 8.5/10 customer service - 9/10
Emily M.
It was such a cute place! I will definitely be back! I went on a weekend for lunch and it was quiet with no wait time. The service was friendly and quick as well! The matcha was smooth and yummy. The doria was similar to a risotto and so filling! I only managed to eat half of it, and the ichigo daifuku was so yummy! The strawberries were sweet and the mochi was fresh and delicious!
Serena Low
The best matcha latte I’ve ever had!! ??Vegetarian options: As a vegetarian it was easy to find options to eat! Half the menu can be customized without meat ?
What we ordered: Omurice * Guratan pasta * Matcha Latte * Matcha Parfe [Taste: ] Omurice was very tastey, I LOVE the sauce they put in the rice. Tasted like a very nostalgic dish for me (9/10). The Guratan was good, tasted like a standard white sauce pasta. Nothing special, very much something you can replicate at home (6/10). The matcha latte is so worth it. It wasn't muddy at all. It's a sweeter tasting latte, and relatively light on the matcha flavor. The flavors are so cohesive-- very unique and delicious (10/10)! The matcha parfe was very flavorful and really stood out when deciding what dessert to get (8/10). [Service: ] Great service! Very attentive, accommodating, and friendly. [Comments: ] I thought the Omurice would be on the smaller side, but to my surprise it was perfect! The Guratan was on the smaller side but that just means more room for dessert! Everything tasted pretty authentic, BUT certain items are not worth the price. The ambiance inside (& outside!) looks like they put so much thought into decorating, even down to the menu. In summary, it is very quaint and homey. [Parking: ] plenty of street parking [Bathroom: ] nice! Very spa-like
Timothy C.
What a truly authentic Japanese lunch experience! The staff was incredibly helpful in navigating the menu, and the food was absolutely delicious. Don't miss out on trying the egg salad sando--it's just like the ones you'd find in a Tokyo 7-11. Enjoy your meal!
Cheryl P.
Hatsuzakura is one of my favorite Asian spots in this area. Right around the corner from the busier parts of university heights, is this cute cafe that makes me feel like I'm in Japan :) The cuisine is quite unique with more Japanese comfort food dishes, as well as some classic plates like karaage and musubi. I love that they have a little bit of everything such as the pasta which we all really enjoyed too. Their desserts are really amazing and they have pretty good drinks too. The staff is so nice and friendly here every time we come in it's always a pleasure to see their welcoming smiles. Definitely try this place for high quality Japanese cuisine.
Amy L.
Came here on Valentine's Day! There was around a 45-min wait time as there's no reservations at this cafe. You can't join the waitlist on Yelp until you're close to the cafe. The cafe is really small but very cosy and cute. Omurice was probably my fav entree! The onigiri was giant but underwhelming; the salmon was extremely dry and had no taste. The yakisoba was also pretty mid. The desserts saved the day tho!! Highly recommend the parfe--I'm sure they're all delicious. The mochi was also super soft and the red bean was yummy. The servers are all very kind and it was cool to watch them make the desserts in front of us at the bar.
Jocelyn N.
Food 4/5 Guratan - Creamy and NOT too salty - Cheesey pull to the pasta - Portion is on the smaller side; good for 1.5 people 4.2/5 Omurice - Rice had great chewy texture - Tangy brown sauce - Tomato flavored rice with chicken bits - Portion is on the larger side; good for 1-2 people 4.8/5 Japanese Parfe (Wafu Japanese Traditional Style) - I love the sweet crunch that the flakes add - The matcha ice cream is dark but NOT bitter - The red bean is the perfect amount of sweetness to the dark matcha flavor - The fresh strawberry pairs perfectly with the richness of the matcha - Portion is small to medium; good for 1-2 people - Being a sweet tooth, I recommend this dessert! 4.6/5 Matcha Latte - Matcha flavor is on the lighter side and not too bitter - The oat milk adds the perfect amount of creaminess - NO grainy after-taste Amenities - Small, homey space with a bar and tables - Peaceful ambiance - More cafe vibes over restaurant - Bathroom is very clean and spa-like (there's even a bidet) - Parking: Street Service - Very sweet girl who was attentive - Food came out fairly quickly -NO wait; walked in 4:30pm on a Wednesday
Matcha was so yummy and the Omurice. the music and environment was so
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omurice
We loved the ambiance was very peaceful and all the decorations from outside painting to real pink flowers on the table and matching pink glasses were just so cute and well designed. Jasmine tea was served in a cute tea pot and they served without the tea leaves which makes the tea not bitter but soft flavor. Portions are big, worth the price. Egg omelette dish was good but had little too much tomato sauce. Our waitress was friendly. We really loved the house chicken broth soup and salad comes with sesame dressing. Overall, would recommend to anyone!
This cafe is so cute! My friend lives in Arizona, but came out to kick start by birthday month. We didn't have reservations, but were able to get bar seating. There were a lot of items I wanted to try! I started with a hochija latte and she got a pot of hot tea. My drink was delicious! We got the full set, which comes with an entree, soup, salad, and dessert. For our entrees, we chose the salmon and plum onigiri. The onigiris were huge, but I like mine with more filling. The soup and salad was okay- I would probably skip the full set next time. We also got some karaage and it was flavorful. I also tried the tamago sandwich. The bread was so soft! For dessert, we got mochi as part of our set. I also got a mango parfe with a candle as our second dessert. I'm not sure if this was complimentary or not haha. I was definitely full and happy. I didn't have enough room to try their fruit sando. I will have to get that next time!
Servers are so sweet!! Food is great, decorations are great. Portions are on the smaller side
When this place first opened, the hype was real, and I was excited to try it. In short: it's nothing special, but it brings you back to home, to childhood. I ordered the omurice and the gratin, accompanied by a side of soup. For dessert, we went with the strawberry and matcha mochi. It's simple and nice, evoking that comforting feeling of a home-cooked meal. However, for those expecting a wow factor, it might fall short. It's more of a comforting, familiar taste. The side soup, one of my weaknesses, was pleasant with straightforward flavors, nothing extraordinary. The prices are reasonable, making it a good spot for a simple Japanese meal. Manage your expectations - it's cozy and feels like home, but it won't blow your mind. Parking is on the street, but I've never had trouble finding a spot. The little space inside is cozy, adding to the overall experience.
Came here for Valentine's Day and the decor was perfect as it is beautifully decorated with tasteful details. We ordered karaage and omurice and both were solid but not the best we've had. The service was excellent and they even gave us a rose on our way out which was very thoughtful!
This is such a lovely new cafe/lunch spot. I visited on a weekday afternoon as I heard it was small and could be difficult to get a seat during popular hours. The decor is very cozy and reminiscent of spots in Japan. We ordered the karaage and the yakisoba. Both were delicious. The food was not too heavy and really good for lunch. I'd love to come back to try the desserts and teas.
cute cozy cafe with baby pink aesthetics! everything we ordered was so tasty - onigiri was packed with flavor, the spaghetti was nicely cooked, the matcha and hojicha latte were super good, and the chicken karaage was unique! i would come visit this restaurant again to try other items on the menu. love the little details they focused on such as the color aesthetic & interior design. food - 8.5/10 customer service - 9/10
It was such a cute place! I will definitely be back! I went on a weekend for lunch and it was quiet with no wait time. The service was friendly and quick as well! The matcha was smooth and yummy. The doria was similar to a risotto and so filling! I only managed to eat half of it, and the ichigo daifuku was so yummy! The strawberries were sweet and the mochi was fresh and delicious!
The best matcha latte I’ve ever had!! ??Vegetarian options: As a vegetarian it was easy to find options to eat! Half the menu can be customized without meat ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
What we ordered: Omurice * Guratan pasta * Matcha Latte * Matcha Parfe [Taste: ] Omurice was very tastey, I LOVE the sauce they put in the rice. Tasted like a very nostalgic dish for me (9/10). The Guratan was good, tasted like a standard white sauce pasta. Nothing special, very much something you can replicate at home (6/10). The matcha latte is so worth it. It wasn't muddy at all. It's a sweeter tasting latte, and relatively light on the matcha flavor. The flavors are so cohesive-- very unique and delicious (10/10)! The matcha parfe was very flavorful and really stood out when deciding what dessert to get (8/10). [Service: ] Great service! Very attentive, accommodating, and friendly. [Comments: ] I thought the Omurice would be on the smaller side, but to my surprise it was perfect! The Guratan was on the smaller side but that just means more room for dessert! Everything tasted pretty authentic, BUT certain items are not worth the price. The ambiance inside (& outside!) looks like they put so much thought into decorating, even down to the menu. In summary, it is very quaint and homey. [Parking: ] plenty of street parking [Bathroom: ] nice! Very spa-like
What a truly authentic Japanese lunch experience! The staff was incredibly helpful in navigating the menu, and the food was absolutely delicious. Don't miss out on trying the egg salad sando--it's just like the ones you'd find in a Tokyo 7-11. Enjoy your meal!
Hatsuzakura is one of my favorite Asian spots in this area. Right around the corner from the busier parts of university heights, is this cute cafe that makes me feel like I'm in Japan :) The cuisine is quite unique with more Japanese comfort food dishes, as well as some classic plates like karaage and musubi. I love that they have a little bit of everything such as the pasta which we all really enjoyed too. Their desserts are really amazing and they have pretty good drinks too. The staff is so nice and friendly here every time we come in it's always a pleasure to see their welcoming smiles. Definitely try this place for high quality Japanese cuisine.
Came here on Valentine's Day! There was around a 45-min wait time as there's no reservations at this cafe. You can't join the waitlist on Yelp until you're close to the cafe. The cafe is really small but very cosy and cute. Omurice was probably my fav entree! The onigiri was giant but underwhelming; the salmon was extremely dry and had no taste. The yakisoba was also pretty mid. The desserts saved the day tho!! Highly recommend the parfe--I'm sure they're all delicious. The mochi was also super soft and the red bean was yummy. The servers are all very kind and it was cool to watch them make the desserts in front of us at the bar.
Food 4/5 Guratan - Creamy and NOT too salty - Cheesey pull to the pasta - Portion is on the smaller side; good for 1.5 people 4.2/5 Omurice - Rice had great chewy texture - Tangy brown sauce - Tomato flavored rice with chicken bits - Portion is on the larger side; good for 1-2 people 4.8/5 Japanese Parfe (Wafu Japanese Traditional Style) - I love the sweet crunch that the flakes add - The matcha ice cream is dark but NOT bitter - The red bean is the perfect amount of sweetness to the dark matcha flavor - The fresh strawberry pairs perfectly with the richness of the matcha - Portion is small to medium; good for 1-2 people - Being a sweet tooth, I recommend this dessert! 4.6/5 Matcha Latte - Matcha flavor is on the lighter side and not too bitter - The oat milk adds the perfect amount of creaminess - NO grainy after-taste Amenities - Small, homey space with a bar and tables - Peaceful ambiance - More cafe vibes over restaurant - Bathroom is very clean and spa-like (there's even a bidet) - Parking: Street Service - Very sweet girl who was attentive - Food came out fairly quickly -NO wait; walked in 4:30pm on a Wednesday