The service here was spectacular and the drinks were delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
HJ H
I had a sub par experience at this restaurant today. I have visited this restaurant many times before.
First, food is mediocre except yakitori.
For example below sashimi appetizer is $24. 2 pcs of tiny frozen octopus, salmon, tuna and sea brim. They were fishy.
What’s worse is that all the main dishes came separately. By the time my family finished their meal my food finally came and by this point I lost my appetite. My food came about 20 minutes later.
In terms of service, waitstaff is accommodating. However, the restaurant is just run inefficiently.
I don’t think I will return.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 4
Molang Y
My friend and I had a few yakitori skewers and ordered a few shared plates. Food was okay. Service was meh. We noticed the restaurant is understaffed. We waited 20+ minutes to pay, and it similarly took 20+ minutes for our plates to get cleared. One of our orders also never came. I don’t think it’s the server’s fault so I wanted to write a review.
Edit: I noticed that the owner account was argumentative under some of the reviews. Not cool. Customers will be turned off by that.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Arfin Candra
went there on dinner time, got seated at the bar was a whole different experience, ordered their robata and chicken kaarage was amazing, everything taste so fresh. if you visit japan village in brooklyn NY, definitely have to try this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alex
We’ve successfully eaten here twice. The food was good and the prices were fine. We were excited to show some friends, as we were new to the area. We arrived right before 8 and the 4th person was a little late due to train delays. They refused to seat us without the 4th person (we should’ve just said 3) and that they would be closing the kitchen so we wouldn’t be able to order unless we ordered right then. With a restaurant that closes as early as 8:30 (and serves drinks!) we expected that meant the kitchen closed at 8:30, not that we would be turned away for dinner at 8.
This experience has dissuaded us from going again. We would like to, and we’ve thought about it many times. But those times have inconveniently been on Monday or Tuesday, or before 5….or after 7 and we haven’t because we would hate to get there only to be turned away again. Not sure if it’s an industry city thing but the hours feel just enough outside of normal that it’s a huge deterrent from going there to spend time with our friends and order a bunch of food together. Wish this wasn’t the case.
Edit to mention: staff were so friendly but seemed a little unfamiliar with restaurant work? Staff was very attentive before we received our meals, and then did not pop by us/nor could be flagged down for the check for a super long time after we finished our meals.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 3
Samantha Silverman
Food was terrible. I got the sashimi bowl and skewers. Both were not good, salmon sashimi bowl tasted very fishy and whatever it was topped with tasted like soap. I eat salmon sushi all the time, this isn’t normal. The chicken skewers were burnt. The rice in bowl was dry and crunchy and the miso soup was sub par.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Don Huang (Tamago)
😱 new hires do not know what they are doing. The food is really bad. The quality of meat does not justify the charge. Avoid at all costs. Only hey the bofu was the fried squid but the cost is too high for what you get. Don't even bother to take photos of the food just awful.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Azzie
You guys are so nice I just love the service, tysm!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Samantha M
I had an amazing time at WakuWaku. My friends and i went for lunch as a recommendation and it did not disappoint! We were able to sit in one of the private rooms where you sit on the floor and it was like taking a step in Japan for the day. I had the Teriyaki Rib eye which was really good, and another fave of mine were the deep fried brussel sprout skewers. They even have premium sushi flown in from Japan! i would definitely recommend and definitely go back!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Khoa Ngo
My wife and I were looking for a quieter restaurant to eat at as the Japan Village was a little too crowded for us, and this place was a nice respite. The skewers were all really good, but we loved the duck one the most. The pork & scallion and chicken thigh & scallion were also highlights. The beef and pork belly were okay. My wife loved her soba, and also got the deep fried beef skewer. All in all a nice stop for food, and relatively reasonably priced!
Not just my favorite restaurant in industry city, one of my favorite spots in all the city. great selection of tasty skewers and Japanese style drinks and highballs. I can't get enough of the place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maegel Uy
Very ridiculous that you have to pay almost extra $100 for the tatami room on a very slow day, plus a fixed 20% gratuity (gratuity was okay, but room charge was not). Food was mediocre (many dishes were too salty) and very small portions. We left the restaurant without being full due to the taste and tiny servings. Adding rice on an entree will cost an extra $3. Their prices seem low to attract new people to come in but due to small portions, salty food, and the rice extra charge, many people would not come back. Maybe some would if the food was excellent despite the portion, but it is not. Who eats Japanese food without rice? I just personally think it is a cheap trick, their menu does not even mention that rice does not come with it. There are way too many great choices out there that is worth the price. Server was very nice and attentive though.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
Jay King
Food was slightly above average. Service was abysmal though. If service was better I would come back again for the food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
Tony
I’ve been to Wakuwaku a few times and always loved the food, so I brought friends for the first time—but the service was terrible. Our Hispanic server (never introduced himself) was rude, snatched menus from our hands, and refused to accommodate a shrimp allergy with a simple substitution. He ignored us most of the night, took away our plates even though we were sharing food, and didn’t seem to know how to use the card machine. The place was clearly understaffed, and the table next to us waited 20+ minutes just to pay. Great food, but the service completely ruined the experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Eli Brown
Wonderful authentic food in a very unique space, indulge in and enjoy great foods, come with company so you can enjoy the experience and sample many different dishes
The service here was spectacular and the drinks were delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had a sub par experience at this restaurant today. I have visited this restaurant many times before.
First, food is mediocre except yakitori.
For example below sashimi appetizer is $24.
2 pcs of tiny frozen octopus, salmon, tuna and sea brim. They were fishy.
What’s worse is that all the main dishes came separately. By the time my family finished their meal my food finally came and by this point I lost my appetite. My food came about 20 minutes later.
In terms of service, waitstaff is accommodating. However, the restaurant is just run inefficiently.
I don’t think I will return.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 4
My friend and I had a few yakitori skewers and ordered a few shared plates. Food was okay. Service was meh. We noticed the restaurant is understaffed. We waited 20+ minutes to pay, and it similarly took 20+ minutes for our plates to get cleared. One of our orders also never came. I don’t think it’s the server’s fault so I wanted to write a review.
Edit: I noticed that the owner account was argumentative under some of the reviews. Not cool. Customers will be turned off by that.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
went there on dinner time, got seated at the bar was a whole different experience, ordered their robata and chicken kaarage was amazing, everything taste so fresh. if you visit japan village in brooklyn NY, definitely have to try this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We’ve successfully eaten here twice. The food was good and the prices were fine. We were excited to show some friends, as we were new to the area. We arrived right before 8 and the 4th person was a little late due to train delays. They refused to seat us without the 4th person (we should’ve just said 3) and that they would be closing the kitchen so we wouldn’t be able to order unless we ordered right then. With a restaurant that closes as early as 8:30 (and serves drinks!) we expected that meant the kitchen closed at 8:30, not that we would be turned away for dinner at 8.
This experience has dissuaded us from going again. We would like to, and we’ve thought about it many times. But those times have inconveniently been on Monday or Tuesday, or before 5….or after 7 and we haven’t because we would hate to get there only to be turned away again. Not sure if it’s an industry city thing but the hours feel just enough outside of normal that it’s a huge deterrent from going there to spend time with our friends and order a bunch of food together. Wish this wasn’t the case.
Edit to mention: staff were so friendly but seemed a little unfamiliar with restaurant work? Staff was very attentive before we received our meals, and then did not pop by us/nor could be flagged down for the check for a super long time after we finished our meals.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 3
Food was terrible. I got the sashimi bowl and skewers. Both were not good, salmon sashimi bowl tasted very fishy and whatever it was topped with tasted like soap. I eat salmon sushi all the time, this isn’t normal. The chicken skewers were burnt. The rice in bowl was dry and crunchy and the miso soup was sub par.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
😱 new hires do not know what they are doing. The food is really bad. The quality of meat does not justify the charge. Avoid at all costs. Only hey the bofu was the fried squid but the cost is too high for what you get. Don't even bother to take photos of the food just awful.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
You guys are so nice I just love the service, tysm!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had an amazing time at WakuWaku. My friends and i went for lunch as a recommendation and it did not disappoint! We were able to sit in one of the private rooms where you sit on the floor and it was like taking a step in Japan for the day. I had the Teriyaki Rib eye which was really good, and another fave of mine were the deep fried brussel sprout skewers. They even have premium sushi flown in from Japan! i would definitely recommend and definitely go back!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
My wife and I were looking for a quieter restaurant to eat at as the Japan Village was a little too crowded for us, and this place was a nice respite. The skewers were all really good, but we loved the duck one the most. The pork & scallion and chicken thigh & scallion were also highlights. The beef and pork belly were okay. My wife loved her soba, and also got the deep fried beef skewer. All in all a nice stop for food, and relatively reasonably priced!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Not just my favorite restaurant in industry city, one of my favorite spots in all the city. great selection of tasty skewers and Japanese style drinks and highballs. I can't get enough of the place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very ridiculous that you have to pay almost extra $100 for the tatami room on a very slow day, plus a fixed 20% gratuity (gratuity was okay, but room charge was not). Food was mediocre (many dishes were too salty) and very small portions. We left the restaurant without being full due to the taste and tiny servings. Adding rice on an entree will cost an extra $3. Their prices seem low to attract new people to come in but due to small portions, salty food, and the rice extra charge, many people would not come back. Maybe some would if the food was excellent despite the portion, but it is not. Who eats Japanese food without rice? I just personally think it is a cheap trick, their menu does not even mention that rice does not come with it. There are way too many great choices out there that is worth the price. Server was very nice and attentive though.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
Food was slightly above average. Service was abysmal though. If service was better I would come back again for the food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
I’ve been to Wakuwaku a few times and always loved the food, so I brought friends for the first time—but the service was terrible. Our Hispanic server (never introduced himself) was rude, snatched menus from our hands, and refused to accommodate a shrimp allergy with a simple substitution. He ignored us most of the night, took away our plates even though we were sharing food, and didn’t seem to know how to use the card machine. The place was clearly understaffed, and the table next to us waited 20+ minutes just to pay. Great food, but the service completely ruined the experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Wonderful authentic food in a very unique space, indulge in and enjoy great foods, come with company so you can enjoy the experience and sample many different dishes
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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