Hakata Senpachi in Scheldebuurt

The most authentic Japanese food outside of Japan! Staff are very friendly, food is dangerously good!

The food is super delicious; we ordered several small dishes to try everything. The portions aren't very large, but the quality is really great. The prices are a bit on the higher end. All in all, though, I recommend it ☺️👍

Great meal. Nice and easy to order using the QR code. Food has great flavour and good quality. Nice drinks selection.

Excellent Udon, very flavorful, classic spices and a unique broth. Ramen broth was very rich and tasty, ramen noodles had the perfect texture, al-dante. Highly recommended.

Delicious food. You simply choose which skewers you want and the accompanying dishes. You can set your own price. However, it is pricey, and a full meal will cost you quite a bit. Your clothes smell of smoke from all the grilling (which you have to accept). Service is hard to come by - you have to ask for everything, and ordering through the app isn't always easy. You only get a small portion of everything once they've prepared it. However, the food is worth 4-5 stars.

Always great to find authentic Japanese cuisine in other places.

We had a delicious meal with a group of four (we booked in advance). We ordered a variety of skewers, and they were all delicious and well-seasoned. My favorite was the Buta Bara and Buta Miso (pork belly skewer). We ordered those again later. The chicken skin was also very tasty. Initially, the food arrived quite quickly, but as it got busier, it took a while for new orders (mainly skewers) to arrive. So keep that in mind. They also forgot one order at the end, but after a while, we let them know and they got it almost immediately. A nice place with a beautiful open kitchen. If you like Japanese food and meat, this is highly recommended.

The food was amazing! First time eating there and i really enjoyed it. We had a table outside to enjoy the nice weather and the service was great. Definitely recommend eating here if you visit Amsterdam!

Very good food and nice people!

This restaurant is unfortunately overrated. I didn't have a good experience here and it was not worth the money. I went there with 2 people on a Saturday evening. We sat down near the entrance and we started to smell something unpleasant (not sure where it came from, but it smelled like the sewer), so I asked a waitress if we could move to another table. She said they were fully booked and changing the table was not possible and she didn't investigate further where the smell was coming from. We decided to stay anyway as we were quite hungry. Food also took a very long time to arrive (starters and main course). One of us had to wait 15 min longer than the others before she got her main course. The food tasted quite average for the price. Once we finished our food and asked for the bill. The waitress came with the bill and immediately with the pin device. I had to ask her to leave us a min to look at the bill when we found that the price of our drink was filled in wrongly (higher than written in the menu). The other waitress fixed the bill and we paid and right after we paid, the waitress asked us to leave because some people were waiting for our table (is this normal in the Netherlands?). In summary, I would not recommend this place as you can find this food quality with a much better price and service and better atmosphere than this place.

After 40 minutes of ordering via the QR code we had only received one of the three starters. The drinks did not arrive. The wagyu was a well done roast beef. After waiting another 20 minutes we left; my glass of wine was served and the other starters were never served. Apologies were made when paying but any leniency on the bill did not apply. Once but never again

I was here with my boyfriend and honestly it was terrible. We waited over an hour for our food and nobody said anything. Just ignored us like it’s normal to wait forever. I ordered the wagyu beef – except it was not wagyu. I know what wagyu is supposed to be. This was just regular dry meat, nothing special. Chewy, no flavor, very disappointing. We also ordered wine and they bring us half glasses. Literally half. Not even pretending to fill it. Also we ordered tap water, never arrived. Staff looked tired and didn’t care. No smile, no apology, no checking if everything was okay. Spoiled the whole evening. We left hungry, annoyed, and euros poorer. Never again. Total waste.

NB: I’ve been accused of writing a fake review, but as proof, I’ve included my reservation and payment confirmation (not including my 75 euro downpayment) from the restaurant. Our daughter's successful exam results called for a celebration, and we decided to do it in this place due to our love for Japanese cuisine and the positive reviews that surround it. Being a beautiful, warm day, we anticipated that many families might want to dine outdoors. In light of this, I chose to reserve an outdoor spot through their website, which obliged me to make a €75 down payment. However, upon arrival, we were disappointed to learn that due to an alleged system error, our reservation didn't exist. According to them, our reservation was double-booked. However, having worked in IT for years, I highly doubt the system is at fault. It seemed more likely that there was poor management on their part, perhaps allowing some guests to occupy the tables longer than allowed, or granting seats to those without a reservation. For a Japanese-inspired restaurant, we expected them to go above and beyond to rectify such a situation. Unfortunately, the solution they proposed - seating us indoors - wasn't acceptable to us. We suggested we wait inside until a spot becomes available outdoors. Indeed, the interior had a truly Japanese atmosphere, but the noise level was a bit high. For people who don’t mind the din, this isn’t so bad. However, we wanted somewhere quieter where we wouldn’t have to raise our voices to converse. To further dampen our spirits, as we waited, no staff attended us for drinks; we had to actually flag someone down to get served. When we finally got an outdoor table, we ordered drinks via their electronic system, which were served promptly. However, their system then crashed, making it impossible to order food, which added to our growing discontent. We found ourselves jotting down our orders on our phones and handing them to the waiter. The system remained down even as we left. Given our Asian roots, the food didn’t overly impress us, but it was aesthetically pleasing and tasty. What was more disappointing was the staff’s decorum. We found them to be lacking in courtesy and helpfulness, unlike the many other Japanese restaurants we've visited worldwide. Shockingly, this was the first time we felt it was otherwise. Ideally, one would anticipate the restaurant to offer compensation or a small goodwill gesture, such as a complimentary tea, in response to the inconveniences we experienced. Regrettably, they did not demonstrate such courtesy. Lack of a polite thank you or goodbye from our waiter was the final nail in the coffin. It seemed to us that they were relieved at our departure, which was unfortunate. Our special night felt dampened by this less-than-satisfactory experience – a night that had all the elements to be much better.

I cannot recommend this place—the food is quite mediocre and does not justify the cost. The interior looks very simple, and the service is far from a pleasant experience. Additionally, when ordering through the QR code, dishes that appear to be available somehow do not get processed in the order, and the staff is unable to provide clear answers to your questions. The outdoor seating area is neither equipped nor decorated, consisting of the cheapest and least attractive furniture. You won't get any visual enjoyment, either indoors or outside. Moreover, the portion sizes are very small, especially for the appetizers. As expected, the restroom is not cleaned properly and resembles a low-quality diner.

everything was extremely good udon’s texture was on point, but was a bit small, and no eggs no meat pork we liked, and ramen

Worst culinary experience I had for a decade. We waited 1 hour to receive the food, only one by one portion for 4 people. A really torturing-bad joke, where we anxiously laugh until we decided to go. Over prised, its not what it use to be.

Food is amazing but the place has sewage smell inside.

Authentic izakaya next to the RAI - absolutely delicious! Reservation is advised. We shared our table with Japanese food experts who totally validated as well - that is a good sign!

Eten wat we kregen was echt goed, doch we werden buitengezet na 1uur , gereserveerd om 17u45, komen van Mol België omdat dochter hier wou komen eten. Om 19u04 werden we vriendelijk verzocht te vertrekken, tafel was nogmaals geboekt .

To put it bluntly food good, if you have the time to eat it. Unbelievable brutal barbaric and no service

4.4 for this spot is way too low. I rarely give a 5 overall rating (especially in Amsterdam) but this place by all means deserves it. The atmosphere and decor is great, the service is really good and the food is excellent. The pork and chicken were the stars of the show but honestly every single item ordered was delicious. Definitely recommend and will for sure be coming back.

We like this izakaya place.. was one of our favorite spots in Amsterdam. But they changed a lot, staff were no longer well managed.. food still okay, noticeable change was the portion, we had chicken nanban, portion was significantly smaller than before..We always asked for extra sauce, they used to provide with generosity, but this time they said no extra sauce unless we pay for it.. as regularly customers, it was such a bummer.. The good thing is they have more sake choices, still cozy atmosphere!

Amazing food, best japanese food i ever ate in Europe. And a very motivated staff. One to go back to!

We enjoyed the food and the beer a lot. The spicy curry was good, the ramen too. The skewers and eggplant in miso glaze were also enjoyable, we regret ordering too less.

Great Cassis Oolong Sours. Like, so great. We had 3 (three!) each. I’m coming back to this review just to reiterate how _good_ the cassis oolong sours were. They were life changing. My boyfriend and I started to make these at home since coming here for dinner. In fact, we are drinking a round right now and it’s so good. Heads up, when they first brought them for us, we weren’t even sure if it had alcohol in it. Turns out, it does

Wow, that place has really gone downhill. For years, we had consistently great food and excellent, attentive service. Hadn’t been there in a while, and this visit was a major disappointment. The food quality was subpar—soggy chicken, bland sashimi, onigiri that made no sense at all, and a vegetable tempura consisting of just 3 or 4 pieces for 17 euros. The waiting staff clearly couldn’t be bothered anymore… time for some reflection…..

Super tasty food! The unagi and eggplant were fantastic as was the pork belly. Only the grilled octopus is not recommended, it was very tough. Tip: stop with the time slots. You get a very short time frame and the orders take quite a long time. That keeps you from going more often.

Too expensive for what it is, also one smells like a smoke chicken afterwards. I have been in Hakata and Hakata has the best food in Japan, this place is not coming near.

Good Japanese food and a very attractive restaurant. You can go in any direction: for a quick bite they have simple but good ramen. But you can also enjoy a hearty meal with Japanese classics such as yakitori, karaage, onigiri, gyozas, etc. Or go crazy with wagyu.

Great dinner, great food, only the dessert was not great

The worst dining experience I ever had. It took nearly 2 hours for our food to come out. We kept checking with the waitresses when our food is coming for many times and all of them kept assuring us that it will be there soon. None of them were able to communicate clearly to us that there was an issue with our orders and thus the food took forever to come. In addition no waitress was able to explain to us what they were serving is when they brought out the food (not even what is in the drinks).

What a gem! Delicious pure flavors of the dishes and an overwhelming choice of sake!

The service was mediocre (I got the feeling that I should be happy to eat there). Didn't receive ordered meal; Took a long time for the ordered item to arrive. Payment also did not go as expected. The toilets certainly did not look like Japanese toilets (which are always clean). The staff only spoke English, strange for a Japanese restaurant.

This place is one of my favorites in Amsterdam. Always a big hand of applause for the grill chef 👏🏻👏🏻 Today we had quite some skewers and at the end they tasted a bit salty, maybe a bit too much..! And the change in shabu salad isn’t that appealing, the previous one is wayy better 😿 today we didn’t have bonito, cherry tomatoes, corn, really little cucumber, please change it again!

We arrived early and were seated in front of the grill, which is unlike some other people, the exact space where we wanted to be seated at. The interior and flavours really reminded us of Japan, so very well done! We have enjoyed everything ans will definitely go back because I really want to try the ramen as well.

Ramen was already half gone in the photo, but it was so delicious that I forgot to take a photo earlier 🥹 Small restaurant, so reservations are recommended.

A really great japanese restaurant. Do not miss it !

We made a reservation for two and were seated promptly upon arrival, which was a good start. However, the experience quickly went downhill. We ordered a total of 10 dishes but only received 2. After waiting 45 minutes without any updates or sign of the remaining food, we decided to leave. The only redeeming part of the evening was the staff, who were helpful and understanding enough to only charge us for what we had received. Unfortunately, the long wait and incomplete service left us very disappointed.

Ah, Hakata Senpachi, where the skewers are tiny, the chaos is large, and your dinner comes with a complimentary side of existential dread. I went in expecting a cozy Japanese izakaya experience. What I got was more like a multiplayer anxiety simulator. The place was packed wall-to-wall with loud people, screaming kids, and the faint scent of regret. To order, you scan a QR code—except, surprise! No Wi-Fi. You have to beg for a code like you’re asking for state secrets, and even then, half your order disappears into the void, never to be seen again. So you sit. And wait. And wait. Occasionally, a dish arrives, usually not the one you’re hoping for, but by then you’re just grateful to be fed at all. The food? Tasty, yes. The yakitori skewers? Delicious—but if it’s not meat, expect a single mushroom on a stick. It’s giving fine dining for ants. For the price, I expected at least two mushrooms. Maybe three, if I was lucky. The staff, bless them, looked like they were running a marathon in slow motion. One waitress made eye contact with me once—I think she was trying to escape. No check-ins, no “How’s it going?”—just pure, unfiltered chaos. Hakata Senpachi: come for the food, stay because your order got lost in the system and your soul can’t escape the sound of iPads glitching and toddlers shrieking. Two stars. One for the chicken thigh, one for the bravery of the staff.

Authentic flavors and great vibes! Every dish was a treat, especially the tempura and sashimi. A perfect spot for a satisfying Japanese meal.

One of my favourite Japanese restaurants. Very friendly and great Japanese food. Highly recommend it.

For the first time I actually 100% enjoyed ramen. I used to think its just mid in general but apparently I hadn't tried a proper one. And I was full from it aswell. Workers were super nice and chatty. Skewers tasty but kinda small for the price. Would go again though.

When we arrived as the first in the restaurant we were pointed to the "bar". We preferred to sit at a table and eventually that was possible. We thought the food was delicious and we certainly enjoyed it. Some dishes arrived very different from the photos, which made us doubt whether it was for us. Unfortunately, yakitori took a very long time, so be aware of that if you order that (really tasty). Towards the end, someone from the service came by and quickly let us know that we really had to leave, because the time was already 5 minutes up. Then we let him know that we had already been waiting half an hour for our ordered yakitori dishes, so he said that we had to leave quickly to make room for new guests. That didn't feel great for us, even though we had a very good experience in the restaurant up until that moment. Overall experience was positive, shame about the ending.

Yakitori was rather disappointing, but the chicken katsu curry was the best I've ever had. They offer a selection of wines and sake. If the weather is nice, I recommend getting a seat on the terrace.

I usually love this place. One of my favorites in Amsterdam. Quite authentic, great food. However, last night was chaotic - the waiting time was a lot and the servers seem quite lost/anxious/confused which was hard to watch. Something needs to be improved in the management of the kitchen and service.

Efficient service and delicious food. Wish I was staying longer in Amsterdam to visit again ! Definitely the most memorable meal of my trip even compared to a Michelin starred restaurant earlier in the week !!

As if I was in Japan again for a moment. The atmosphere, the smell, the flavors, everything took me back to the land of the rising sun. Rarely have you had such good Japanese food in the Netherlands. The highlight for me was the miso eggplant, which was really full of flavor and wonderfully soft. But I also really enjoyed the kimchi vegetables with egg. Excellent skewers also with a nice smoky taste. Oh and the tea was excellent too. What a great tent!

The best ramen! The creamiest broth I’ve ever had. The noodles are perfect.

Very nice, delicious food. Staff was incredibly friendly. You could order with a QR code and that was ideal. The skewers were delicious as well as the dessert and the Milk Tea! The Windows too, by the way, nothing to complain about.

very tasty simple food! really enjoyed it

1 word, overrated. Always full and have to join waitlist reservation. But what you get is disappointing. Food was standard and not like what was marketed (a place where japanese go when they miss japanese food). The A5 wagyu beef was like hotpot beef. Food came out slow, when we were there the server were not really around much. Ordering system is broken, you cant place another order after you placed your first one. "The japanese vibe" that most of these reviews wrote about, realistically you get a bar seating over a small station of where they do a lil bit of grilling. Menu items on a4 paper and tape plasterd ALL over wall

Unfortunately I have to give 1 star due to the discriminatory staff. We arrived at 4:55 PM without a reservation, the clerk told us that there was no room left that day, fine, but when I looked online we could still make a reservation. I then made a reservation online and suddenly we were able to take a seat... that's fine, but after that we were hardly helped at all. 10 minutes after us a man walked in and then she said 'oh we have a cancellation, come on in' while no one had called to cancel in the meantime, the business is small so in principle we should be able to do this to belong. She also asked the other table next to us if she wanted a drink and if she could take their coats. We weren't asked anything. We left after 45 minutes. Very unfortunate, because the food is very tasty, but we really felt that we were treated racist, after three times it is no longer a coincidence. We don't come here anymore.

I ate here before Christmas. Their app broke twice, which isn’t necessarily their fault, but the waiting staff seemed a bit lost. Food was good, there was a lamb chop which really sticks out.

After reading the reviews we had high expectations for the food. Due to a technical error ordering did not go well and we had to ask where part of our food was. The food was ok, but not worth a second try. Together with my boyfriend we ordered the 2x Wagyu bowl, 2x Yakitori, Kimchi and 2x Yuzukoshu Fizz cocktail. We found it a bit pricey, because we were still hungry after dinner. The positive thing was that we had a nice time together and the atmosphere in the restaurant was great.

We had a great time at Hakata Senpachi! It felt like a little piece of Japan in Amsterdam, with delicious food and kind staff. The grilled beef with fresh wasabi and the skewers with eel (unagi) and crispy chicken skin (tori kawa) as well as the nasu dengaku were favourites. The grill in the middle of the restaurant is really unique.

I used to really like this place, but last night was a big disappointment. For Christmas they had a special Christmas menu created by the chef for 75 euros per person. Already a steep price so you expect enough food. However, this was not the case. 1. At arrival we got told they didn’t have the grilled sea bass anymore and it got swapped with karaage or vegetable tempura (they told me first it was with shrimp?). Weird to substitute a fish dish with chicken or vegetables instead of a different fish dish. 2. We got served all the dishes in 10 minutes, so our food got cold because we couldn’t eat that fast. I told the server this but not a lot happened. The table next to us got their dishes in a normal pace it seemed, so why didn’t we? 3. We only got 6!! different skewers to share with two people while the menu clearly stated you would get 6 skewers per person. A table of 4 next to us only got 12 skewers to share. This was an outrageous little amount of food, keeping in mind it was 75 euros per person. After telling the server this we got 6 more skewers extra because we were ‘lucky’. Other tables also complained about the little amount of food given. The food was good, but if you want to make someone’s Christmas special by creating a special menu you should really give more food which is equal to the price. I feel like they just ran out of food the past two days and just gave us the scraps. Should’ve prepared better for this. Super disappointing.

Very delicious! One of my fav spots in Amsterdam ;)

Nice all foods with good many choice sakes ! and fast serve!

We used to love this place, but it is now only average for a high price. The skewers are just okay, not particularly tasty. Noodles are pretty good! It’s very busy and cramped, but the food came pretty quickly. You can order through a QR-code on the table.

Delicious food, great mixture. Their wings are amazing, so is their miso aubergine (eggplant)! Good selection of skewers too!

The food is good, but the price/quantity ratio is quite on the high side. I find personal ordering via an iPad very impersonal. Wifi was out and then we couldn't order at all, so two stars for the service. Be quick because at some point products will be sold out.

I had a delicious meal here with some friends, we ordered Homemade tonkotsu miso ramen and chicken curry, the latter is highly recommended.

Flavors were great, portions were a bit small.

Perfect food, perfect service :)

excellent food throughout! popular for their yakitori, but ramen and main dishes was also excellent. authentic japanese, deep flavours. on the pricy side, but with the quality youre getting its worth it 👌👌

The food was delicious and plating was beautiful! However there were TOO many flies trying to join our meal 🥴 I hope they have done something about that as it spoiled the experience. It’s not that I can’t tolerate any flies at all, but at this price point, I would rather not. (Note: Review from a visit in Summer (June))

I always enjoy eating here. Cozy and cozy

Came here on a date with my bf and we had an amazing time. First off, the ambience is spot on. It’s like walking into a restaurant in Tokyo. The service was fast and friendly, we dined within an hour! And of course the highlight of the evening was the food. The wagyu tataki was divine and we had several pieces of the buta miso because it was so delicious. This was our first time but will definitely not be the last. Adding this to our curated list of best date night places in Amsterdam. Thanks to the team for the wonderful food and service.

The food is no more than OK, for the price you pay. Unfortunately the place itself is way too small for the amount of tables in there. Its extremely noisy, and you can't even get to the toilet without moving tables left and right. They placed us next to the entrance which was a cold spot. With a lot of wind passing through.

If you are looking for a traditional japanese izakaya-style restaurant, do not go here. Lacks any kind of japanese hospitality. I feel like money is the driving force of this business. Even though the people working here are friendly, if you are asked to finish diner after 90 min already, it doesnt make you feel appreciated. Comparing food (quality) to price, the ratio is rather disappointing. For a real japanese cuisine experience, look elsewhere.

While staff was friendly and wanted to help, they all seemed very confused, service was very slow. Overall way too expensive for what you get. We left feeling hungry…

The food is delicious and some of it is freshly grilled at the counter. But the service is catastrophic. We had reservations for 7 p.m. First we were asked to wait outside the restaurant in the rain and around 14 degrees. At 7:23 p.m., when we asked again, a place at the counter was given to us because apparently more places were given away than were available. When ordering using the QR code - which initially didn't work - there were still orders for almost €200 from other customers. Despite the advice, they said just order. Suddenly - quite unexpectedly - everything was ordered again and arrived on site before the error could be addressed again. Relatively small portions, but a little more expensive. The bad exhaust air makes your clothes smell like a barbecue. Culinary recommended, the rest not.

Food is amazing, and they even lift things like an omelette to new heights. We were with 3 people and ordered almost everything that caught our eyes. The (I presumed) owner of the place has a wide knowledge on pairing Sake to your food, and also this was absolutely excellent and very very delicious. Sake like we havent had before. The 4 stars on service is because: - We had to order through a QR, and this sometimes gave complications; for example our 3rd dessert that we ordered after the first 2 together with the 2nd wave of dishes, came before and was finished way before we even received the earlier ordered desserts. - The owner really has a big attention to detail, and you can really feel his passion. As an example my friend dropped his chopstick and the owner who I didnt even see, noticed and without needing to ask came to bring us a new one. This was however after a waiter who also saw, didnt even react and just passed him. It's small things and I would 100% recommend this place and we will be coming back. Just these small kinds of details would lift this absolutely charming and characteristic place to a 5/5

The restaurant is cozy and narrow with a limited number of seats. The interior is a bit dated but has its own charm. A4 sheets with specials and drinks are taped to the wall. The staff was very friendly and tried their best. You can order dishes via a QR code. Because our toddler was restless, we did not want to bother the other guests for too long and we quickly ordered a number of skewers and small dishes. My favorites were the oysters, the chicken skin skewer, the unagi skewer and the 5 different sashimi. I liked that each sashimi was served with its own extra seasoning. The perfect ribeye was tasty but not special. As if it had been cooked on a part of the grill that was too cold. The A5 wagyu was tasty. The grilled octopus and cow tongue were a bit tough for my taste, but my partner liked both. But he also loves cartilage and I don't; tastes differ. With the mackerel croquette I tasted more curry than there was mackerel in it. I didn't recognize it at first either. The chicken skewers were very salty and the lamb chops dry and quite tough. For dessert we had the matcha eclair and the mochi with chocolate mousse cake. Unfortunately, the eclair was soggy and had no rich filling or real matcha flavor. The vanilla mochi and the chocolate mousse cake were tasty but was a small portion. Both desserts were enhanced with fresh fruit. Some prices on the menu are justifiable, but for certain dishes I found the price to quality and/or quantity disproportionate.

The food was delicious and the service was very fast and super friendly.

The skewers were perfectly grilled and tasted amazing. Only downside is that the skewers came seperately instead of all together. It was a long wait in between every few skewers. After all still a very nice place with good authentic Japanese food. Definitely worth visiting again.

Easily top of our list of Japanese restaurants in Amsterdam. Authentically captures the experience of a cozy yakitori-ya in Japan!

It’s a small crowded restaurant, which is not a problem at all. The food is really mediocre and not matching the price. The eggplant was so burned that it tasted like cigarette. We spent 130 for 2 and was not close to full, so we ordered rice. It was the worst rice i have ever had in an asian restaurant. Such a disgrace to a Japanese restaurant.

The food was really good but the portions are super small and very pricey We especially liked the ceviche, yakitori and gyoza Service was very friendly but quite slow

Very nice Japanese eatery. Without a reservation you will soon not get a table. Luckily I had made a reservation online in advance. Very pleasant service, fast and efficient. Ordering is only possible via the QR code on each table. The menu is very diverse, a little bit of everything. But mainly known among many for their “skewers”, skewers prepared by grilling. In terms of drinks, there are also many Japanese options available.

Looks good food. Unfortunately many are sold out. And quite overpriced (€5 for 1 mini skewer). Also impersonal due to orders only by mobile.

Excellent ramen. The ordering system was different. You did it all on your phone by scanning the QR code at you table.

Very tasty food & very friendly staff!

Really was delicious 😋 hakata senpachi made me happy I couldn't stop to eat 😋 😜 thank u 💓 who miss yakitori (real japanese style) please visit senpachi !!!!

Dont recommend skewers..Tried 6 different skewers but all too salty, chicken skin was still raw.. Overall not overpriced

My family enjoyed an authentic Japanese dinner with a wide range of unique and savory dishes. The staff is very friendly and active. The atmosphere is cozy and enjoyable. The food is great, especially the desserts, giving you a taste of Japan within Amsterdam.

Very authentic Japanese food, it’s the best Japanese restaurant in Amsterdam! Easy to reach location, and super friendly team members. Atmosphere of course due to the Japanese style of the interior, it’s a little “packed” for European standard. If you are taller than 190cm which is normal in holland, there might be a chance you hit your knee under the table. But that doesn’t stopped us to visit there regularly. Food is amazing’ 👏👏👏👏👏

Suuuuuuper delicious, the best Japanese restaurant I have ever been to. We liked everything, it is very worth it, we will return!

Unfortunately the lower reviews matched my experience. The kimchi was cabbage but not kimchi in any other way. The service was poor. The food was over priced. They asked for a tip which I felt was quite rude and odd. The tofu was bland. The vegetable noodles were somehow more bland. The highlight was the mushroom skewer and it was really good.

Unfortunately a disappointing experience at this 'izakaya'. Unfortunately, I found the service to be very poor from start to finish. They were friendly, but we had to ask for our food several times and then ask again. Moreover, the food was delivered at different times. Normally I don't find this a problem, but this time everyone had already finished eating before I got my main course. I was then immediately asked if I wanted a dessert because the kitchen was closing while we were there in plenty of time. Shame. The food was okay, but a lot of the food is not legitimately Japanese. The curry is with coconut milk (that/indo?), the kimchi set does not contain kimchi as far as I know, but it does have some of the sauce. The skewers are fairly tasteless. The sea bass is very little for the price (main menu without rice or anything) etc. In short, no more repetition for us.

Looks great, but I've never had japanese curry with coconut milk before. Also had to wait almost an hour for rice. One person had their drink while the others had to keep asking where the other drinks were. Also very expensive.

Would not recommand this place. It's specialised in yakitori ( skewers) but they were quite dissappointing. For the price you pay (average4€ for one skewer) you expect nice quality and well seasoned skewer. We tried the A5 wagyu tataki, sauce was nice but we didn't like the way they cooked it, didn't seem much like a good wagyu. Unagi was good but there was quite many bones. Zucchini was well seasoned and the beef tongue little too salty. The chicken one was very average didn't taste much the charcoil taste that you find like in japan. The worst were tsukune and the porc belly. Tsukune was falling of the skewers because there was almost no meat inside looked like only had daikon radish and flour. Only the shiso leaf was good inside. Porc belly was super salty and dry completely overcooked. We stopped the dinner there as it was lame and we already had to pay around 64€ for 9 skewers and 4 slices of wagyu.

Not sure how you can justify having to wait 30 minutes for a drink. The food was tasty and I like the atmosphere.

I received several emails from Japan asking to change the number of people in my reservation, but they responded happily every time. The store was crowded with locals. The pork shabu salad looked and tasted great, the meatballs were exquisite, and the fried chicken was crispy and juicy.

little izakaya offering authentic Japanese grill with nice atmosphere! the roasted aubergine with miso and the grilled pork are my favorite.

Waited 45 minutes to not be served drinks. Left before anything arrived.

The yakitori are really amazing. Other than that, overall it’s a bit pricey and the service is not that great.

The food was pretty decent, albeit a bit on the pricey side. Portions are difficult to guage. Some orders come with a lot of food and others with barely any... The restaurant has a nice atmosphere besides being a little cramped. We asked to sit outside given the nice weather, but were told that those tables had been booked. I was facing the window though and at least one of those tables were empty the entire time we were there so that was a bit strange. The service though is something that needs work. They have a QR code system that they expected us to use. So we tried but it would periodically just crash. This happened with all of us - Apple, Android, big orders, small orders. After it crashes, the order is lost which is very frustrating if you've taken everyone's order for the main meals as I had done. When I told the waitress about it, she started saying how you can get the order back and how it was my fault for placing such a big order. After having to argue with her for a few minutes eventually she just took the order like a normal restaurant. I'm not sure why they are defending a clearly broken system, or blaming their customers for it.

Beautiful place with great food, but no service. You can only order via your phone, which is a reason for me not to go here again.

If you are looking for a Japanese restaurant with a bit of everything, then you’ll love Hakata! We first tried this place when we moved to Amsterdam almost 2 years ago, and since then we have been trying Japanese restaurants around the city. Just recently, we came here twice in a week (reservations highly recommended)! And we will definitely return as our go-to when we are craving some Japanese foods. They are known for their yakitori (exxy, but pretty good), but what we love is their ramen, their udon with mentaiko, their fried chicken skin, their sashimi (also pricey, but fresh). The environment has an izakaya feel to it, so don’t be surprised if it’s packed, is a bit smokey - it’s all part of the experience.