I’ve lived in Texas for over eleven years and watched the dining scene change considerably. Through all of that, I keep coming back to Chef Otaka-san. There’s a reason.
These days, many new restaurants seem more focused on rankings, expansion, and hype than on staying true to their principles. I respect Chef Otaka-san for doing the opposite, staying focused on what omakase is supposed to be and what he genuinely cares about. Japanese people aren’t eating sushi three times a day; they enjoy yakitori just as much. That, too, is their culture, and Chef Otaka-san’s inspiration comes from that authenticity, not from California rolls designed to please the masses. For diners who care about the essence of a true omakase experience, mabo is a place you should not skip.
This is not a restaurant chasing influencer hype or free publicity. It’s for guests who genuinely value the experience who are willing to pay for his talent and creativity so he can transport you, for a couple of hours, to another part of the world without leaving Dallas.
Back in my earlier days here, there were more places that felt this sincere and grounded. As things grow more superficial, I almost feel sad that restaurants like this are becoming rarer. That’s part of why I felt compelled to write this review: sometimes the quiet achievers deserve to have their value recognized.
I’ll admit I hesitate to share my hidden gem. I don’t enjoy competing for reservations, and a selfish part of me wants to keep this spot easy to book, especially compared to some overvalued places out there. But when I think about how long Chef Otaka-san has been in Texas, nearly four decades, he deserves far more recognition than he’s received. He has been an ambassador of sorts, giving those of us in Dallas the opportunity to experience this level of omakase for years.
Today was my fiancé’s birthday, and I brought him here because I wanted him to experience what I think of as the “Teppo feeling” I had when I first moved to Texas. For me, it was more than just dinner; it was reconnecting with a memory and a standard of sincerity that has become rare.
I hope more people come to understand the depth of what Chef Otaka-san has given to this community and that he, in turn, recognizes his own value rather than feeling discouraged by the rankings and metrics that third-party reviewers throw around. He may not be the most talkative showman (which I appreciate, sometimes I don’t want conversation), but if you ask him a question and approach him as a genuine human being, I think you’ll understand what I mean. I hope this helps someone else experience what my fiancé and I had today.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
C G
Wow! If you are looking for a first class experience of Japanese cuisine and service this is the place in Dallas. 10 course omakase (chefs choice which means you don't get to make food choices unless allergies are an issue).
All the courses were excellent with my favorites this night being the appetizers (5 different all.with different flavors and textures), the sashimi, and of course the yakatori which has an additional menu so you can add things like chicken skin!
Service was attentive and personable. They gave us cookies to go for our kids along with samples of the tea that we enjoyed with desert.
I've been big fan of Masa-san and his skill for over 20 years and this restaurant really showcases his mastery of Japanese cuisine and it's nuances. Others reviews have captured pictures of the other courses we tried including the chicken sandwich amuse bouch that was divine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maren Gibbs
What a special dining experience by Executive Chef, Masayuki. Every detail of the dining experience was beautiful and engaging. As well as the atmosphere of the restaurant - so serene and not a spec overlooked. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and we will be back. It's a small seating area, no more than 8 from what I remember, and you'll be engaging directly with Chef while he's preparing your food. It is a must go to.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Garrett Nickols
Fill up on yakitori! This was a fantastic dinning experience. A great fusion of Japanese with a little Korean, every dish was very carefully created for you. The sashimi was ok, all of the options were fish I hadn’t had the chance to enjoy up to that point, which was unusual and very appealing I just didn’t enjoy the cut specifications for those specific fish. The yakitori is definitely the star of the show. From complex flavors and sauces to the most simple plain chicken thigh relying on the perfect cook to acquire all its flavor. You can tell they make no shortcuts when selecting charcoal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
moe di
Good food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah Chen
I was looking for something fun and different for dining near where I live, and a friend recommended this place. I brought my whole family, and it turned out to be an incredible experience! The chef was extremely talented, and every dish was prepared with so much creativity, thought, and care. I have never experienced anything like this before. We loved every moment—it was a truly amazing and unforgettable dinner!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
MT
We always have a wonderful dining experience at Mabo. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is very peaceful.
Melissa Thomas
The food quality, attention to detail & service were all excellent. The atmosphere was minimal, dark and pleasant. I personally don't care for this style of Japanese cuisine so needless to say I will not be back. Mabo is worth a try.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Clayton Hirt
We went to Mabo for their Omakase dinner. The attention to detail is what elevates this restaurant’s dining experience. Upon entering into small dining room, guests enjoy an intimate dining area limited to 8-9 guests per seating. Guests experience is at the root of everything Mabo offers. Chef has curated an amazing menu that allows guests through an amazing culinary experience. Each of the courses is prepared and presented with instructions of how each dish is intended to be enjoyed. Both serve and chef were attentive, professional, and ensured guests had an excellent experience. 10/10 would recommend for those looking for Dallas’ Best Omakase dinner, or a special celebratory dinner.
Some of the reviews are funny to me saying that the courses were mostly chicken... It's a Yakitori restaurant, translate Yakitori genius.
This is one of the best Yakitori restaurants in the country... And we have been to Torien, Torishen, and our personal NYC favorite, Kono.
MABO is absolutely a first class Yakitori experience and rivals any of the truly great Yakitori restaurants... We will be back, it was absolutely amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anais Ning-Driscoll
Mābo is the height of hospitality and absolute perfection if you’re a fan of yakitori.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christopher Bird
Am extraordinary evening. Just 2 of us at the chef's counter. Wonderful to watch the master at work. Very calm experience. Some of the food items were very unusual. I liked everything. It was a week night and I was driving, so I didn't try any of the really interesting alcohol options. The only slightly disquieting thing was that it appeared to be closed when I arrived on the dot of 830. So we had to stand and wonder for a few minutes. All was well, however and a delightful time was had. Arigatou gozaimasu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
M
Had a phenomenal experience. It’s now one of my favorite restaurants in Dallas. It’s rare you find a high end yakitori place in the US so this place is such a gem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lily Smith
Adding a note here after reading the low reviews of this place: to each their own but … omakase means “I’ll leave it to you” so the chef does choose his own menu each evening. And yakitori, which is Mabo’s specialty, translates to “grilled chicken.” Yakitori is traditionally chicken but the Chef also cooks other types of meat and veggies yakitori-style too. It’s an art to cook chicken in a way that makes it taste so special!
This place is truly unbelievable! I went around the opening and looking back now, I’m shocked there are only 3 reviews still. This place is aesthetically so meticulous and clean and offers a beautiful experience rooted in Japanese design, and the food is just out of this world amazing! This places deserves a Michelin star!!!
Best yakitori in the US!!! Love it so much
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yakitori, Squash Blossom
I’ve lived in Texas for over eleven years and watched the dining scene change considerably. Through all of that, I keep coming back to Chef Otaka-san. There’s a reason.
These days, many new restaurants seem more focused on rankings, expansion, and hype than on staying true to their principles. I respect Chef Otaka-san for doing the opposite, staying focused on what omakase is supposed to be and what he genuinely cares about. Japanese people aren’t eating sushi three times a day; they enjoy yakitori just as much. That, too, is their culture, and Chef Otaka-san’s inspiration comes from that authenticity, not from California rolls designed to please the masses. For diners who care about the essence of a true omakase experience, mabo is a place you should not skip.
This is not a restaurant chasing influencer hype or free publicity. It’s for guests who genuinely value the experience who are willing to pay for his talent and creativity so he can transport you, for a couple of hours, to another part of the world without leaving Dallas.
Back in my earlier days here, there were more places that felt this sincere and grounded. As things grow more superficial, I almost feel sad that restaurants like this are becoming rarer. That’s part of why I felt compelled to write this review: sometimes the quiet achievers deserve to have their value recognized.
I’ll admit I hesitate to share my hidden gem. I don’t enjoy competing for reservations, and a selfish part of me wants to keep this spot easy to book, especially compared to some overvalued places out there. But when I think about how long Chef Otaka-san has been in Texas, nearly four decades, he deserves far more recognition than he’s received. He has been an ambassador of sorts, giving those of us in Dallas the opportunity to experience this level of omakase for years.
Today was my fiancé’s birthday, and I brought him here because I wanted him to experience what I think of as the “Teppo feeling” I had when I first moved to Texas. For me, it was more than just dinner; it was reconnecting with a memory and a standard of sincerity that has become rare.
I hope more people come to understand the depth of what Chef Otaka-san has given to this community and that he, in turn, recognizes his own value rather than feeling discouraged by the rankings and metrics that third-party reviewers throw around. He may not be the most talkative showman (which I appreciate, sometimes I don’t want conversation), but if you ask him a question and approach him as a genuine human being, I think you’ll understand what I mean. I hope this helps someone else experience what my fiancé and I had today.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wow! If you are looking for a first class experience of Japanese cuisine and service this is the place in Dallas. 10 course omakase (chefs choice which means you don't get to make food choices unless allergies are an issue).
All the courses were excellent with my favorites this night being the appetizers (5 different all.with different flavors and textures), the sashimi, and of course the yakatori which has an additional menu so you can add things like chicken skin!
Service was attentive and personable. They gave us cookies to go for our kids along with samples of the tea that we enjoyed with desert.
I've been big fan of Masa-san and his skill for over 20 years and this restaurant really showcases his mastery of Japanese cuisine and it's nuances. Others reviews have captured pictures of the other courses we tried including the chicken sandwich amuse bouch that was divine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a special dining experience by Executive Chef, Masayuki. Every detail of the dining experience was beautiful and engaging. As well as the atmosphere of the restaurant - so serene and not a spec overlooked. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and we will be back. It's a small seating area, no more than 8 from what I remember, and you'll be engaging directly with Chef while he's preparing your food. It is a must go to.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fill up on yakitori! This was a fantastic dinning experience. A great fusion of Japanese with a little Korean, every dish was very carefully created for you. The sashimi was ok, all of the options were fish I hadn’t had the chance to enjoy up to that point, which was unusual and very appealing I just didn’t enjoy the cut specifications for those specific fish. The yakitori is definitely the star of the show. From complex flavors and sauces to the most simple plain chicken thigh relying on the perfect cook to acquire all its flavor. You can tell they make no shortcuts when selecting charcoal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I was looking for something fun and different for dining near where I live, and a friend recommended this place. I brought my whole family, and it turned out to be an incredible experience! The chef was extremely talented, and every dish was prepared with so much creativity, thought, and care. I have never experienced anything like this before. We loved every moment—it was a truly amazing and unforgettable dinner!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We always have a wonderful dining experience at Mabo. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is very peaceful.
The food quality, attention to detail & service were all excellent. The atmosphere was minimal, dark and pleasant. I personally don't care for this style of Japanese cuisine so needless to say I will not be back. Mabo is worth a try.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
We went to Mabo for their Omakase dinner. The attention to detail is what elevates this restaurant’s dining experience. Upon entering into small dining room, guests enjoy an intimate dining area limited to 8-9 guests per seating. Guests experience is at the root of everything Mabo offers. Chef has curated an amazing menu that allows guests through an amazing culinary experience. Each of the courses is prepared and presented with instructions of how each dish is intended to be enjoyed. Both serve and chef were attentive, professional, and ensured guests had an excellent experience. 10/10 would recommend for those looking for Dallas’ Best Omakase dinner, or a special celebratory dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yakitori, Sashimi Course, Skewer
Restaurantji Recommends
Some of the reviews are funny to me saying that the courses were mostly chicken... It's a Yakitori restaurant, translate Yakitori genius.
This is one of the best Yakitori restaurants in the country... And we have been to Torien, Torishen, and our personal NYC favorite, Kono.
MABO is absolutely a first class Yakitori experience and rivals any of the truly great Yakitori restaurants... We will be back, it was absolutely amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mābo is the height of hospitality and absolute perfection if you’re a fan of yakitori.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Am extraordinary evening. Just 2 of us at the chef's counter. Wonderful to watch the master at work. Very calm experience. Some of the food items were very unusual. I liked everything. It was a week night and I was driving, so I didn't try any of the really interesting alcohol options.
The only slightly disquieting thing was that it appeared to be closed when I arrived on the dot of 830. So we had to stand and wonder for a few minutes. All was well, however and a delightful time was had.
Arigatou gozaimasu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had a phenomenal experience. It’s now one of my favorite restaurants in Dallas. It’s rare you find a high end yakitori place in the US so this place is such a gem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adding a note here after reading the low reviews of this place: to each their own but … omakase means “I’ll leave it to you” so the chef does choose his own menu each evening. And yakitori, which is Mabo’s specialty, translates to “grilled chicken.” Yakitori is traditionally chicken but the Chef also cooks other types of meat and veggies yakitori-style too. It’s an art to cook chicken in a way that makes it taste so special!
This place is truly unbelievable! I went around the opening and looking back now, I’m shocked there are only 3 reviews still. This place is aesthetically so meticulous and clean and offers a beautiful experience rooted in Japanese design, and the food is just out of this world amazing! This places deserves a Michelin star!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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