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Went here on Fathers Day and to my surprise it wasn't crowded. I've been here before and it wasn't too bad, that's why we came back. The teppan tables are spaced out well, the restaurant itself is super clean, ambiance A+ and service was pretty much average.
I noticed that the majority of the teppan chefs aren't japanese, but they do the job well. Basic teppan tricks nothing too crazy skilled but still entertaining...the food was prepared well and cooked to your liking...total for 9+1 child = $360..only 2 beers and no appetizers...I'd still go back.
Wow! My first review! Sitting at the teppan table and really enjoying both the atmosphere and the staff. Great food and a great place!
Vegas Roll! Delicious!
I'm Asian so I have coupons for pretty much everything. Yep, I had a coupon for this place: $15 per person for teppanyaki and also 50% sushi. What a deal, right? Kind of. Here are the highlights & lowlights.
First the lowlights. I asked them which of the sushi rolls are 50% off. The waitress said they ran out of the menu with the selected sushi items so I'll have to ask her which ones and then she'll punch it in and tell us. Ran out of the menu? How is that possible? It was only 4pm, which is the start of dinner service so what the heck? In any case, I ordered the crunch roll & firecracker roll, which are the least expensive of the sushi rolls (she said the least expensive ones are usually 50% off). She came back and said: "nope, those aren't 50% off". Whatever. Then the teppanyaki portion: we were supposed to select 2 kinds of meat. Asked the waitress what kinds of meat... she said not sure so I looked in the menu. She said it's not in the menu. It's on the coupon thing. Geez... does Tokyo Wako prepare their waitresses this way? Not impressed.
The highlights: we ordered regular sushi pieces and they were 50% off (we ordered not knowing they were 50% off). Although the pieces were smaller than usual, the sushi tasted pretty good. The teppan chef was somewhat entertaining. The chef's name was Roberto (non-Japanese) and he was a master of flipping his spatula and very quick with the knife (do not try to rob this man). Yes, they do the onion volcano thing on the grill so that was cool.
The teppan food itself is average and the service was reasonable. I'm not sure how much you would have to pay for teppan service but I don't think I could go back for anything more than $15 per person. The teppan food does not warrant that kind of price, as I could cook it like that at home without all the action so you're paying for the teppan chef's training.
Meh food.
Meh service.
Meh environment.
Nothing special about this place at all. To be honest though, it's just like Benihana but not as cool. No wait, the only thing better than Benihana is the waitress costumes. Now those are cool. I think it'd be fun to dress up like that to work everyday. Cool.
The show is whatever. The food is bland for a not-worth-it price.
Also if you come here for your birthday, you get free ice cream, a song, and a picture to take home. Oh yeah, when they bring you your dessert, you always have you put on this funny cloak like thing (assuming it's something Japanese) and this funky Japanese hat. Good memories though. Kind embarrassing too. But not me. I am NEVER embarrassed.
I was really looking forward to go to this place.
The food was bland even for Japanese food and way too over prized!! I think the bill was over $50 and it was not filling at all. I'm sure the place is a local tourist trap and maybe that's why the quality is not great. I love sushi and I was so disappointed. Their tempura calamari was so blah, totally not delicious like tempura usually is.
I think the outside of the restaurant is beautiful and inviting. Yet when you enter it's just alright. Too big and too empty...you would think going in the service will be good. But nope, just mediocre... Our server was nice but it was very difficult to understand her and not very helpful.
Although the waitresses were very nice and the environment was clean, the food was overpriced and I didn't really understand the theme of the place. 2 pieces of sushi cost up to $10; my Shrimp Sautee dish had a funny flavor to it and the shrimp were not fresh. A friend of mine ordered the lobster and said it was terrible. However, two others had the steak and enjoyed that. The calamari we ordered as an appetizer was massive and a bit of a turnoff for me.
While the waitresses wore pretty kimonos, a flat screen played football quite loud right next to our table, and Colbie Caillat interchanged with hard rock as background music (thus, I didn't understand what they were going for in terms of theme/ambiance).
I wouldn't go again.
We've been to this place twice, in the early afternoon. Neither time was the place busy. They have a sushi-side with bar, with a decidedly not-busy sushi chef waiting for business. The bar was well-stocked with premium brands of liquor and there were plenty of sake brands to choose from as well.
When we were seated around the Teppan grill, the waitress approached for drink orders. We ordered several glasses of sake from the pink sake bottle. She said they only had one big bottle left, so what the heck? We were a party of 7 for my birthday. It took her FOREVER to bring the bottle and glasses then she set them down and was gone. After 10 more minutes, we just opened the bottle and poured it for ourselves.
She took our menu orders, brought out soup and salads, one sushi order and one tempura order.
When the chef came, he did not make eye contact and set about working. However, we engaged him with our enthusiasm and he started to really perform with a flair and smile and we were all having a great time by then - could the liberal sake drinking have helped? The food was predictably good but not tantalizingly good.
Five things that really made made up for the waitress' inattention and absence:
1. One of my party had just had 4 wisdom teeth out a day earlier, so she asked to have her food cut into smaller bite-size morsels than normal. He complied graciously.
2. The same person was also vegan, and asked to have her meal prepared off to the side. Again, the chef complied graciously.
3. When the chef saw the same person struggling to eat the food even though he had already cut it smaller earlier, he took the food back to the hot grill top and chopped them down even finer.
4. When they realized it was my birthday, they brought out a kimono, draped it over my shoulders, and several employees sang their traditional birthday song.
5. They provided a birthday dessert free-of-charge.
So, while the experience was predictable and good, these 5 extra touches made the difference for us that day and earned them one extra star.
We were deciding if we wanted P.F. Chang's or Tokyo Wako and we decided to get Japanese because there are many P.F. Chang's in the Bay Area so we wanted to try something new. My hubby got the four star sashmi and he thought it tasted pretty good and I thought it looked really good. I had the Red Dragon roll and Hurrican roll and both were spicy to my taste. We got the saute shrimp for our daughter and she enjoyed the shrimp, but the sauce was interestingly thick. The only thing I didn't get was that our waitress asked my hubby twice if he wants a refil for his water during the entire meal. I mean, were they running low on water? Of course we want refils. What else are we going to drink with our food? Other than the minor complaint of their services, the food and the ambience were good and if we are ever in the area, we will come here again.
I LOOOOVE the fact that my chef? sensei? whatevs, was named Angel. What that translates to me is that my chef is from Mexico and yes he was wearing a paisa belt OVER his sensei outfit. But its all good.
Everyone always raves about onion volcanoes. I didn't get it until I saw it and man was I impressed!
Me and my room mate were looking for teriyaki. We were not expecting the whole dinner with a show experience. It was such a suprise for a Monday lets grab something to eat deal.
Angel is the bomb though, this fool had me cracking up. Something about making "butter- fly" (get it) and referring to teriyaki as Japanese El Pollo Loco... I couldn't stop smiling long enough to eat.
Its kinda expensive. And my noodles were bland. But the meat and vegetables were soooo tender and flavorful.
My suggestion. Go for lunch because everything is like 40% of menu price. which is all types of good.
The waitress was weird though. Thats my closing thought.
This place is just like Benihana. That's it.
Service is very good. Teppan chefs are predictable, but still fun. I always get lobster and filet mignon and I love the little sauces to dip it in (again, just like Benihana). I don't have much to criticize about here. Good, predictable, Japanese Teppan-style grub.
So, I came into Long Beach several hours delayed. This place was my first stop because it was across the street from my hotel.
Ah, Benihana got a sushi bar. Hmmm.
So, as I was looking at the sushi menu, I was not terribly impressed with the roll selection. Mind you, I don't eat them; however, I am impressed with whatever the sushi chef puts into the rolls because it shows much passion and creativity. However, because I assume that most of the business from this place comes from the teppan stuff, I imagine the sushi bar doesn't need to try very hard. So, I got the stand-by--chirashi.
And I was ripped off on the chirashi. Maybe I am spoiled in my hometown. Usually, the chirashi is a very generous mound of fish on top of a mound of sushi rice...a sure-fire way to get a lot of fish for your money. While the chirashi was priced competitively, it was a lot of rice and very little fish. It was just a few handfuls of thinly-sliced, nasty quality fish in the corner of the bowl. Maybe the quantity was a blessing because the quality was poor.
Chirashi comes with miso...but the miso showed up after I finished the chirashi...after I reminded the waitress.
Sushi chef was unknowledgeable of sake selection. You don't have to be a sake-a-holic to work the bar; but you should be knowledgable of the selection. This place didn't have an extensive selection of single-serving sakes. Because my favorite, the junmai ginjo was a 750 ml bottle, I settled for the standby "booty sake" that was the cheapest in price and the smallest in volume. They should have marketed it better though; turns out that it was bottled/brewed by my favorite company-Hakutsuru. Well, I suppose something is right. It just pisses me off that every place down here seems to push their selections of Takara/Sho Chiku Bai...these people just don't know who they're trying to fool! (see my list) I practically work down the street from Takara (makers of Sho Chiku Bai); stop pushing domestic garbage on me. Impress me with the Japanese sake!
Then all of a sudden the sushi chef was nice when my check showed up and the tip was in question.
No dice.
Is it me? Did I miss something? Poor abused Tokyo Wako!
I've been here twice and had excellent food with excellent service! Try the hibachi table with the Chef preparing your dinner. It's cool when he makes a flaming onion volcano! I hear it's better than Benihana!
It's convenient for Long Beachers. Plus, it's better than Gladstone's, PF Chang's or Boston's!
They needed a high end good sushi and teppan restaurant at the Pike, too bad they have not found one yet, but instead Tokyo Wako opened up. Given the location, they really need help with their menu...it's so mediocre and over priced. The salmon and yellowtail that day was outstanding, but that's where everything pretty much stopped.
The rolls were mediocre and lack luster, nothing really new or a must have. Service was great that's because the place was near empty during Friday lunch hour. I have no opinion of the Teppan since I have not eaten there, but for a high end sushi place to be mediocre that just too bad.
Tokyo Wako... What can I say...
I went here for my bday dinner last year. Couldn't decide. Sounded cute. Japanese... Where were you then Yelp when I needed you? :)
Our reservations got jacked up. I am not one to be messed with so that wasn't a good thing. They were trippen that only 10 out of 20 showed within 5 minutes of the reservation. I wanted to tell her to F off but was nice... :)
Our food wasn't great. I think out of everyone, about 5 people actually liked their food.
They put a wig on me and a kimono which jacked up my hair to no end, which I obviously hated.
The only thing good about this experience was that my close friends were there and we had a great time being together. That's about it.
I always sit at the sushi bar, to avoid the notoriously poor service. Why not go right to the source?. Being vegetarian, my orders are simple but I have to say that they are FABULOUS. The veggie roll, the edamame, the fried rice = fabulous. My boyfriend loves the King Crab Roll.
I ate here twice and both occasions were for birthdays. The first time I ate there, we ordered sushi and it was pretty much blah. Wouldn't recommend that you go here for sushi. And the bill was pretty expensive. Boooo.
The four stars is solely for teppan and the service. The second time I went there was for my bff's bday. We made reservations for teppan for a Thursday night and had no problem. We were immediately seated in a private room once our partied arrived which was really cool. Our hibachi chef was hilarious and very entertaining! We were seriously cracking up and crying the whole time. The food was great and the prices for teppan was reasonable. The staff was friendly and very helpful.
If I ever go back, it would be just for teppan and for our hibachi chef. Too bad I didn't catch his name. He was Asian if that helps, Lol. I've never been to Benihana's so I can't compare the two.
Overall, try the teppan.
Although the wait was longer than I would've liked it to be the food was pretty up to standard and the service was also above average. My only complaint is that you have to choose what you want to eat so they can seat you in the correct area... you can have sushi anywhere you sit but you can't have teppanyaki if you don't sit in that area. OK.
The restaurant is pretty huge separated into a dining area on the left, the teppanyaki rooms to the right and the sushi bar in the middle. The surrounding areas outside the restaurant is pretty nice too at night, though only valet parking is available in that area, otherwise if you wish to self park you'd have to walk quite a bit.
The dinner we had consisted of appetizers, sushi, sake, beer, noodles, soup and came to $110 without tips for 3 adults and one child. It's a great place for groups and parties and the staff will come out and sing ridiculous happy birthday songs to you and you can put on these ridiculous Japanese outfits complete with headgear and have your photo taken. It was okay. I'm sure if I wasn't with my girlfriends it wouldn't have been a good experience at all.
The poorest quality of Japanese food and service I ever had...
I think this review says enough in it's own. Only go if you are a gluten for disappointment.
To me, Tokyo Wako's food is just mediocre. I could go to my aunt's place and have the same meal for free! Of course, you come here for the atmosphere and for the sake of enjoying Japanese food on the beach. Eh. The waiters and waitresses are pretty cool though. They have an awesome clientelle here. The guests are polite, just as well as the employees. Everyone is willing to help you, making the experience the best possible. The service is awesome, like I said...but the food isn't anything special. It's always crowded on the weekends but really, if you come to see a show, this is a good place. The cooks do tricks and things with their blades and other cooking tools. From my perspective, I wish they would use their tools for that magic of QUALITY and TASTE in the kitchen.
After reading a lot of skeptical reviews, I was worried about the reservations I had made for my boyfriend's birthday. We had driven by Tokyo Wako on a previous jaunt up to Long Beach, but didn't have enough time in our schedule to stop in for dinner.
We arrived for dinner, Friday night, with 7:00pm reservations. We were seated immediately - and we had several waitresses come by and ask if we had any questions or if they could take our order. Everyone was super friendly. The food was wonderful! We didn't do the hibachi grill this time, but sat at a dining table right next to the koi pond. Very pretty at night. I had the salmon wrapped scallops (wonderful!) and my boyfriend had the teppan beef yakisoba (also wonderful). You definitely have to try the beef rolls - chef's own creation - the BF said he could have had 3 orders of those and would have been happy :)
Also tried a sushi handroll which was fresh & delish.
We're definitely going to come back --- perhaps next time do the teppan seating or even the patio, which had heaters for nighttime dining by the bay. Looked like everyone was having a blast.
Arigato, Tokyo Wako!
"Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate"
Tokyo Wako is a mediocre Benihana clone in a very good location in Long Beach. It was disappointing to see the restaurant so empty on a Saturday night when so many other places nearby were packed!. I decided to give this place a try anyways when the tell tale signs of an empty restaurant is always bad. The service was good and the food was decent but that's it. With such a prime location, Tokyo Wako should be doing much better. If the Teppan chefs are displayed near the front entrance with large windows, that could generate more attention. Those are my two cents are least.
Before I went here I looked it up on Yelp and almost didn't go, but I'm glad I did. The food was good (not the best Japanese I've had, but good), but the service was pretty spectacular. Our waitress Kori didn't even write anything down, and got every order at our table of eight correct. Our chef was dazzling yet modest. He wowed us with fire and his knife skills. The bus boys were quick and efficient. It was a fantastic night. Yes, it was expensive but totally worth it.
Average. I thought hey, since it's near Long Beach Aquarium maybe they'll be good. NOPE. Everyone was .. normal sushi items you can find anywhere else for a BETTER price and a better YUM. Husband complained about the salmon being microwaved? He said it had a sorta rubber texture to it. . . so yeah, it's an AVERAGE restaurant that charges you baaaank.
Been here a few times and this one is no different. For myself, I really enjoyed the food and I usually get the special of Lobster and Filet Mignon here. Its better than some "teppanyaki" places that have gone south literally but for me, I'll take what I can get especially since I ate at Tokyo Hibachi in Lakewood. In comparison, this place rocks, but as an overall teppanyaki place? Only if youre deperate and are near by. Otherwise, do the drive and get something more for your money cause it aint cheap here. (Obviously I do get nearby quite often....lol)
A couple girls and I went here a little after my birthday last year. It was a Monday nite in early November, so I guess this is not the right time to go. I think we were the only ones in the whole place and the hibachi chef was one of the most boring I have seen. I thought he was going to fall asleep at one point! The reason one goes to such a place is for the energy and entertainment, and this had little of either. Oh well, the food was decent and the company I kept was wonderful so that made it worth it.
As this is my family's favorite place to go for birthday's, I have to go here at least 3 times a year. Luckily I have never had to pay, which makes it all the better.
First this place is pretty much identicle to Benihana, so if you like one you will like the other. The service is always good, and if you have never experienced hibachi, going once is a must.
The food is good, I am a big fan of their fried rice and the grilled shrimp they serve. I will warn you though that you are paying a premium for the food and service, I would say this place costs twice as much as a comparable Japanese restaurant. Most of that goes to maintaining the hibachi and the extra staff needed for it. so if that is what you are going for than Tokyo Wako will suit you.
The place is usually busy too, so be sure to get reservations if possible. I have never had an issue with the place accepting my reservations like a previous reviewer, but of course there is always a first.
Made last minute reservations for a birthday party. We were seated immediately by the friendly staff. The waitress was very accomodating, our cook was quiet and the show not as spectacular as I expected, but what mattered was the food. It was delicious! Their beef/chicken broth soup with mushrooms was delectable, their salmon and veggie dish was the best. I'm definitely going back soon when I have family in town.
Tokyo Wako is the worst "Japanese" restaurant I've ever been to. I dined in the regular dining room and not the teppan side, so I'm only speaking about my experience in the regular dining area. The service was very slow, there was a spider climbing on the wall, fruit flies flying around and a couple of ants walking around on our table that I noticed halfway through the meal. The nigiri sushi I ordered was poorly cut and assembled, and the halibut nigiri was drowning in ponzu (the rice was completely soaked - disgusting). The beer glass was hot out of the dishwasher and still dripping wet, the rest of the meal was average/poor, and definitely over priced for what we got. Eventually I complained to the manager (which I rarely do) about all of these different things and he only wrote off the alcohol (one large beer). There are lots of great Japanese restaurants in Long Beach, stay away from Tokyo Wako.
went out to dinner with some friends...planned on pf chang's but decided the wait wasn't worth it so we tried this place. we were seated right away, we got one of the tables where they prepare the food in your face.....very cool. the food was great! the service was great. I'd definitely go back. I'm not a fan of seafood so their non-seafood items were definitely great for me.
Not a huge fan of this restaurant, but it's a simple tepan-yaki house with okay food. Nothing extraordinary, the meats were not thick and the shrimp seemed to be dry. The sushi was not that great either. I would skip it if you can. Oh and this place is expensive for what you get. I don't mind paying for great food but this wasn't worth it.
I went there with six friends on a trip and we had to get back in less than an hour. The service was great, our waitress was friendly even though we kept rushing her. The teriyaki chicken had too much soy sauce and was dry. The miso soup was delicious. California rolls, spider rolls and the other sushi dishes my friends' order were good. It took a while for our bill to come. Overall it was okay, nothing special. Their prices are a bit on the expensive side.
Arcadia, CA
Category: Japanese
Long Beach, CA
Category: Japanese
Lakewood, CA
Category: Japanese
Long Beach, CA
Category: Sushi Bars
Long Beach, CA
Category: Sushi Bars
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