| rev:text
| - I would like to start off by just saying that just because the workers here are mostly Japanese doesn't make this an "authentic" Japanese experience. A typical izakaya in Japan is nothing like this - so hopefully people won't have the wrong expectation when they actually visit one in Japan.
Like almost every review has mentioned, the atmosphere of this place is very energetic. Lots of loud shouting as they call out orders, and of course, every time someone gets seated or leaves they greet you in unison. This is actually not at all common in Japan - izakayas are almost never that loud and people don't randomly shout all over the place. Take your Japanese friends here and it'll actually be funny to them that this is our interpretation of a Japanese izakaya. Nevertheless, It's a cool experience, but after about your 12th time going, it's just more of a gimmick than anything, and could be sort of irritating if you just want to chat amongst your friends. If it's your first time, it's always gonna be a fun experience.
The energetic experience pairs nicely with the overall ambience of the restaurant. The interior decor does feel Japanese, and there is a cohesive feel to the restaurant, where you get the sense that everyone is there to have a good time. I see no problem coming here alone either, a bunch of people do, and they don't seem out of place - you can get seated at the bar right in the middle of the action so you never feel left out. Yes the wait time tends to be long during popular times, but once you walk in, all your frustrations melt away because they make you feel like you were wanted there. Also, the service once you get inside tends to be super fast and efficient, so you won't have to wait too long for your food and drinks to arrive.
I was not very impressed with the food the first few times I came here, but because there were a few standout dishes, I kept coming back, and eventually by my 8th time here, I got my usual order down: kimchi udon, kinoko cheese bibimbap, unagi doria, salmon natto yukke, oden, and almond tofu are all my go-tos. The main problem with most of their dishes is that they tend to be too salty for me - probably to pair nicely with the beer, but as someone who's not much of a beer drinker, their dishes were slightly on the salty side. The dishes I mentioned are excellent and are not overly salted - in fact, these dishes alone are the reason I'm giving this restaurant such a high rating.
The price of this place tends to be on the higher end (usually ~$30/person for enough food and a drink) - whereas a typical izakaya in Japan is much cheaper ($35 would typically get you an all-you-can-eat and drink package). Nevertheless, I think the prices they charge are the going rate for a typical izakaya in Toronto. I haven't been able to find a place that's much cheaper and I've been to a bunch around here (Don don, Fin, Zakkushi, Kingyo etc.). If you want to save some money, have a light dinner somewhere else, and come here for a little bit of food and drinks. The drinks aren't too expensive.
If you want a more authentic experience, try Koyoi - that place is probably closer to what you can expect at a typical izakaya in Japan. With that said, the few outstanding dishes here and the overall atmosphere makes this place a staple restaurant to visit when you're in Toronto.
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