Sunny
I’ve been back here many many times and have enjoyed it every time. The food is great and it’s the perfect place to sit down, hang out, and grab some bites. The atmosphere is very cozy and inviting. The service is great every time I come here and I leave feel happy and warm inside from the great food and great service!
… moreM Z
This place is truly a gem. It’s very rare to see a restaurant of this caliber in these parts. I’ve been to Japan six times and wish I could live there. I’m telling you this place is on par with the izakaya’s in Japan, if not better than most. The menu options here vary across the board. They are simple, yet complex and deep and rich, but most of all delicious. The service is excellent, the ambiance is perfect, and my only complaint is that it’s open for only three days a week. If you go here, please don’t take long, as I’m sure others are waiting behind you. And makes sure to enjoy 🙂
… moreBrent
The best Japanese food I’ve had in Michigan. I love this place, the service, the food the energy, it’s a hidden gem in strip mall that I am beyond grateful exists in this area. I’d expect to find this in NYC or Chicago it’s low key a total vibe worthy of any food adventure.
… moreFernando Sato Hirata
Very impressive food!
Every plate was awesome! I loved the seasoning and the freshness! All dishes were prepared in front of us
Personally I really enjoyed the fried chicken, pork pancake and the tempura
They serve Goya! It remembered my mom’s food
Good service but there is no reservation (get early)
… moreMichael Darmes
I’ve been waiting years for them to reopen. Bought my home in the area shortly before they closed…. It was worth the wait. Had the best meal I’ve had in the lakes area tonight for around $20. Unbelievable and unbeatable.
Update 2/1/2026. Still amazing….but please open another day or two!! Sundays would be wonderful…
… moreAlexander Babin
Delicious food and very reasoable prices. They have a permanent menu as well as a large limited time specials menu so you will never run out of interesting food to try.
… moreJoel Goldberg
We’re incredibly glad they’ve reopened, but the food seems one notch down from the before times. The new, thicker version of the pancake is doughier than the okonomiyaki it replaced. Sliced beef was superb; smelt did not taste fresh. Service warm and attentive. Wine and sake pricing is quite high compared to the food menu, so we stuck to beer. Still some of the most authentic Japanese food in the area.
… moreNicholas Meisner
The best overall restaurant experience I’ve had a while. Since my trip to Japan, I’ve spent a good amount good amount of time looking for a Japanese izakaya in metro Detroit. You can look up a technical definition of an izakaya restaurant on wikipedia, but to me the key is the combination of high quality a la carte dishes, cheap drinks, and an ultra casual atmosphere. So far Kitchen Hanzo is the only place in the area that has come even close; the only differences being that the seating is not private and they’re only open until midnight.
We hung out for a little over two hours and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere in the dining area and kitchen (arriving after and leaving before several groups). During that time we tried their salmon onigiri, tonpeiyaki, yakiniku salad, agedashi tofu, and takosu all while knocking back nama (draft) Sapparos. Everything was fantastic, but the tonpeiyaki and agedashi tofu were the standouts.
Kitchen Hanzo comes at my highest recommendation for those who’ve been to Japan and miss izakayas, but also to anyone looking for a top-notch, authentic Japanese dining experience.
… moreJerry Logsdon
Good authentic food and very friendly/helpful staff. I really enjoyed it.
… moreChris Vanslager
We’re ecstatic that Kitchen Hanzo has reopened. Delicious izakaya food (only tried 8 from the menu so far), exceptional service by an attentive wait staff, favorite cold sake (Kikosui) and multiple beers on tap. A shout out to the friendly kitchen staff who make the wonderful, beautiful and delicious dishes. As this business becomes known again, wait times will definitely increase. While lingering was frequent at izakaya in Japan, suggest being courteous by not as this business becomes busier.
… more