Reminded me of Japan! Food and staff are excellent and it's a very fun environment. Highly recommend!
Marcus G.
I've been meaning to check out this place for some time and what do you know, all this time, my gf was planning on taking me during my birthday. When we walked in, I couldn't help but admire the design of the restaurant and the bathroom HAD.A.BIDET. The staff joked around with each other and overall had good chemistry, but there's a but... Now I'm no prude to any foul language but I kept overhearing the workers cursing and if it were just us in the restaurant, who cares? But I remember there was child sitting behind me and while it seemed his dad didn't care, it made me wonder, what if he did? Anyway, big props to the person who was in charge of the tunes in the restaurant, we should be friends. We ordered the Karaage, Onigiri, and Oyakadon. All Were great and tasted fresh but when I felt the Oyakadon needed sauce. So when I approached someone working behind the bar, I got a weird look when I asked for some, I knew exactly which one I wanted so Idk why but was it wrong to ask? LOL The Karaage was my favourite part! Overall, our visit was alright, but I don't feel pressed to come back for some time.
Peng Hsu
Just like what its name says, this place is not for stuffing your stomach. You come here to have a drink and enjoy some small dishes like appetizers. If you are a bit hungry, then the ramen and bento will serve for the purpose. There are not many choices since it's Baby Izakaya. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was right for a izakaya...... Don't forget to have a plate of Edamame to start your leisure time! Service was good....
Katie G.
Trying to be supportive knowing that so many places are having rough times right now, but they really need to update their menu on google,yelp, and some of these other review sites. We were looking forward to gyoza, beef nagimake, sashimi, and numerous other small plates. Only to find out that the menu is now only a few items most of which are more entree type things like ramen. They have also moved to a fast casual, counter service style which was not at all what we were expecting given the other reviews. I understand that circumstances change and they are understaffed, but it kind of sucks when you see pictures of all this food and menu screenshots to find out it is a completely different vibe and menu. Im giving it 4 stars because it seems kind of unfair to judge them for what we expected vs. what they actually are. But if you are going in expecting a server and the full menu, you may want to rethink your plan.
Katy Woliver
The vibe is great, but their house ramen needs improved really bad. The broth tasted like water. They could expand their menu a bit more as well. The rice + egg + pork entree was good and so was the Karaage, but I’m not sure if I’ll be returning until I hear their food gets a bit better :/
Leon S.
A very nice little spot near the VA beach oceanfront. It's in a little bit of an obscure location. Located on 17 1/2 St means that you turn down a road that feels like an alley at first, but you soon come up to the restaurant, which has a small parking lot, on the restaurant side and (what looks like) a larger one across the street. There's outdoor dining available, but it was a cold night when we went, and therefore not an option. Seating inside is limited, and during the cold months, I'd mainly recommend take out. Having said that the inside is cool, modern, and clean. It has a unisex bathroom, with a cool anime collage wall. The food really is the star if the show though. Everything we ate was delicious. I personally had the rice bowl, which was amazing! The layers come together so well, and the different flavors combine so good. My wife loved the Ramen, and the rice balls were interesting, but at the end of the day it's rice and nori. The service was good, everyone was helpful. We talked to the Owner and Chef also, who, like his staff were welcoming. A great spot for a meal. I recommend it.
Dnshift & Other things!
This is a local spot! Great hang out eatery with the whole family. This is a little Izakaya style with great food and Japanese beer.
Kate E.
This place was utterly terrific. I was there the first weekend in October, and the COVID precautions were thorough and yet not at all intrusive. You wear your mask inside and place your order and then wait on the lovely patio, then come in at the appointed time and your order is ready. I had my first corn dogs here and I'll never have US-fair style ones. The onigiri were subtle and actually my favorite thing. The noodles were also marvelous. Next time I'm in VA beach I will definitely come at least twice so as to sample more of the menu--we couldn't eat all that we ordered as it was. It's a little off the beaten path but well worth the schlep and also quite inexpensive, which was fine with me. Friendly service, too.
Alison O'Connor
Everything is amazing. I only got one picture (tempura seaweed) because I couldn't wait to eat everything. We had sashimi yellowtail, potatoes, and some kind of brothless creamy ramen. Everything was seasoned so well, and the dipping sauces were awesome. The staff are really nice too. We had a delicious syrah with the food and tiramisu for dessert. It was truly a dining experience rather than the monotonous "what do you want to eat tonight?" routine.
M K.
This place was awesome when it was a sit down dinner spot but apparently they've transitioned into a fast casual ramen place that closes at 8 pm. Huge bummer, they'll be missed.
Overpriced mediocre hipster place. They charge sit down restaurant prices but expect you to order while standing at register (while wearing a mask) then pay ahead. Guilt you in to a tip before you have received any food or service. Expect you to pick up your order on a tray and eat out of a plastic throw away bowl. Then you are expected to discard your plastic. This is nothing more than a fast food place with lipstick. Food not great. Not impressed.
Joseph Kannel
Solid food, awesome fast casual concept and service. Large, affordable portions too.
Michelle Pepino
Even despite the hardships of covid, they continue to have a relaxed, family-like atmosphere, delicious Japanese inspired foods that came out on time, and great customer service. They also just recently adjusted their menu items and service process, and I am loving it! I get to interact with their staff and see my food getting cooked thanks to their open kitchen. And I have the option of grabbing my food to-go, especially with the current environment that covid has created (extreme staffing shortages and infection risks for restaurant staff and customers). The food keeps well overnight and they make great leftovers!Try EVERYTHING. Personal favorites: onigiri, karaage, fried oysters, oyakodon rice bowl, miso ramen and mushroom yakisoba. I'm coming for that veggie curry bento next time!
Shenna Deguzman
Delicious Japanese Small Plate fare - perfect name given- everything is on point from service, atmosphere with social distancing and safety protocols, convenience of ordering to receiving food orders, cleanliness and quality of ingredients to food preparation. They deliver in absolute quality. I am coming back more often . Thank you for the experience and service.
Scott Hedge
By far the greatest hidden gem of Virginia Beach. Completely open kitchen. Every single thing you order is cooked fresh and put right in front of you. They don’t even have a warmer, which is unheard of these days. Extremely friendly staff and excellent service. Very reminiscent of DC ramen spots.
Reminded me of Japan! Food and staff are excellent and it's a very fun environment. Highly recommend!
I've been meaning to check out this place for some time and what do you know, all this time, my gf was planning on taking me during my birthday. When we walked in, I couldn't help but admire the design of the restaurant and the bathroom HAD.A.BIDET. The staff joked around with each other and overall had good chemistry, but there's a but... Now I'm no prude to any foul language but I kept overhearing the workers cursing and if it were just us in the restaurant, who cares? But I remember there was child sitting behind me and while it seemed his dad didn't care, it made me wonder, what if he did? Anyway, big props to the person who was in charge of the tunes in the restaurant, we should be friends. We ordered the Karaage, Onigiri, and Oyakadon. All Were great and tasted fresh but when I felt the Oyakadon needed sauce. So when I approached someone working behind the bar, I got a weird look when I asked for some, I knew exactly which one I wanted so Idk why but was it wrong to ask? LOL The Karaage was my favourite part! Overall, our visit was alright, but I don't feel pressed to come back for some time.
Just like what its name says, this place is not for stuffing your stomach. You come here to have a drink and enjoy some small dishes like appetizers. If you are a bit hungry, then the ramen and bento will serve for the purpose. There are not many choices since it's Baby Izakaya. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was right for a izakaya...... Don't forget to have a plate of Edamame to start your leisure time! Service was good....
Trying to be supportive knowing that so many places are having rough times right now, but they really need to update their menu on google,yelp, and some of these other review sites. We were looking forward to gyoza, beef nagimake, sashimi, and numerous other small plates. Only to find out that the menu is now only a few items most of which are more entree type things like ramen. They have also moved to a fast casual, counter service style which was not at all what we were expecting given the other reviews. I understand that circumstances change and they are understaffed, but it kind of sucks when you see pictures of all this food and menu screenshots to find out it is a completely different vibe and menu. Im giving it 4 stars because it seems kind of unfair to judge them for what we expected vs. what they actually are. But if you are going in expecting a server and the full menu, you may want to rethink your plan.
The vibe is great, but their house ramen needs improved really bad. The broth tasted like water. They could expand their menu a bit more as well. The rice + egg + pork entree was good and so was the Karaage, but I’m not sure if I’ll be returning until I hear their food gets a bit better :/
A very nice little spot near the VA beach oceanfront. It's in a little bit of an obscure location. Located on 17 1/2 St means that you turn down a road that feels like an alley at first, but you soon come up to the restaurant, which has a small parking lot, on the restaurant side and (what looks like) a larger one across the street. There's outdoor dining available, but it was a cold night when we went, and therefore not an option. Seating inside is limited, and during the cold months, I'd mainly recommend take out. Having said that the inside is cool, modern, and clean. It has a unisex bathroom, with a cool anime collage wall. The food really is the star if the show though. Everything we ate was delicious. I personally had the rice bowl, which was amazing! The layers come together so well, and the different flavors combine so good. My wife loved the Ramen, and the rice balls were interesting, but at the end of the day it's rice and nori. The service was good, everyone was helpful. We talked to the Owner and Chef also, who, like his staff were welcoming. A great spot for a meal. I recommend it.
This is a local spot! Great hang out eatery with the whole family. This is a little Izakaya style with great food and Japanese beer.
This place was utterly terrific. I was there the first weekend in October, and the COVID precautions were thorough and yet not at all intrusive. You wear your mask inside and place your order and then wait on the lovely patio, then come in at the appointed time and your order is ready. I had my first corn dogs here and I'll never have US-fair style ones. The onigiri were subtle and actually my favorite thing. The noodles were also marvelous. Next time I'm in VA beach I will definitely come at least twice so as to sample more of the menu--we couldn't eat all that we ordered as it was. It's a little off the beaten path but well worth the schlep and also quite inexpensive, which was fine with me. Friendly service, too.
Everything is amazing. I only got one picture (tempura seaweed) because I couldn't wait to eat everything. We had sashimi yellowtail, potatoes, and some kind of brothless creamy ramen. Everything was seasoned so well, and the dipping sauces were awesome. The staff are really nice too. We had a delicious syrah with the food and tiramisu for dessert. It was truly a dining experience rather than the monotonous "what do you want to eat tonight?" routine.
This place was awesome when it was a sit down dinner spot but apparently they've transitioned into a fast casual ramen place that closes at 8 pm. Huge bummer, they'll be missed.
Restaurantji Recommends
Overpriced mediocre hipster place. They charge sit down restaurant prices but expect you to order while standing at register (while wearing a mask) then pay ahead. Guilt you in to a tip before you have received any food or service. Expect you to pick up your order on a tray and eat out of a plastic throw away bowl. Then you are expected to discard your plastic. This is nothing more than a fast food place with lipstick. Food not great. Not impressed.
Solid food, awesome fast casual concept and service. Large, affordable portions too.
Even despite the hardships of covid, they continue to have a relaxed, family-like atmosphere, delicious Japanese inspired foods that came out on time, and great customer service. They also just recently adjusted their menu items and service process, and I am loving it! I get to interact with their staff and see my food getting cooked thanks to their open kitchen. And I have the option of grabbing my food to-go, especially with the current environment that covid has created (extreme staffing shortages and infection risks for restaurant staff and customers). The food keeps well overnight and they make great leftovers!Try EVERYTHING. Personal favorites: onigiri, karaage, fried oysters, oyakodon rice bowl, miso ramen and mushroom yakisoba. I'm coming for that veggie curry bento next time!
Delicious Japanese Small Plate fare - perfect name given- everything is on point from service, atmosphere with social distancing and safety protocols, convenience of ordering to receiving food orders, cleanliness and quality of ingredients to food preparation. They deliver in absolute quality. I am coming back more often . Thank you for the experience and service.
By far the greatest hidden gem of Virginia Beach. Completely open kitchen. Every single thing you order is cooked fresh and put right in front of you. They don’t even have a warmer, which is unheard of these days. Extremely friendly staff and excellent service. Very reminiscent of DC ramen spots.