Charles S
It’s rare to walk into a space feeling mildly irritated—only to leave genuinely pleased. I’ll admit, I still mourn the loss of Café del Sol, a spot I loved for its light, slightly French-Brazilian breakfast charm. I miss it. That said, if it had to go, I’m relieved it was replaced by Shokudo, a Japanese/Korean neighborhood restaurant that feels like a welcome throwback.
Shokudo is the kind of place you go when you want a comforting, homestyle izakaya-style meal. Go soon—this is one of those restaurants that still serves tempura the right way: crisp, light, and arriving promptly (they clearly understand that cold tempura is a tragedy). The pork katsu was equally excellent—crispy outside, tender inside. As someone who’s gluten-free, those were the highlights for me, though the udon looked tempting enough that I hope someone else reviews it soon.
What struck me most is that this feels like a family-run place where quality genuinely matters. Lotus root and shiso tempura—two favorites of mine—were beautifully done, and the small sides stood out: radish kimchi and a pickled carrot-onion mix that tasted like something perfected over years, the way a Japanese grandmother might pickle once a year and get it exactly right.
I hope Shokudo is given the grace of its first six months to a year to find its footing and emerge as a long-term neighborhood staple. Places like this matter—the kind you return to regularly just for a good meal. We need more of them, especially ones that don’t require a 30-minute drive to enjoy.
… moreLaura Henschel
Fantastic experience at Shokudo – everything we had, from the katsu, to hand-pulled noodles, to the banchan, tea, and everything in between was phenomenal. Table service was friendly, quick, and the dishes had a beautiful presentation. The tempura was great, as was the beautiful potato salad. I loved the textures included in every dish. We will be back!
… moreJessica Brown
Delicious food—loved the chicken katsu, the mini udon, and the pork plate. The dinner sets were generously portioned, with tasty side dishes to nibble on.
This udon was tender and the broth was nice and savory. Also loved the crispies on top. Yum!
Excited to go back and try more!
… moreBriseida E. Valencia
The kurobata pork loin katsu was tender and crispy, the beef bulgogi Seoul plate was juicy and well seasoned, and the beef mala signature udon had a flavorful broth with al dente handmade noodles. And the banchan that accompanied the plates were delicious and delightfully spicy here and there; the potato salad and broccoli ones aren’t spicy which was great for one of our friends who doesn’t eat spicy.
Unfortunately, I’m terrible at taking pictures so they don’t do justice to the colorful and beautifully arranged plating.
Wonderful, friendly service! I can’t wait until they’re able to serve alcohol as well.
… moreRebecca S.
Food was excellent. The beef udon was so rich and flavorful. The tempura had a light batter that had a great crunch. Would definitely go again
… moreChris P
An inviting atmosphere, service was really nice. But the food…. is incredible! What a great addition to Westchester.
… moreJess Mosleh
Highly recommend this place. Amazing food and service! I’ll definitely be back.
… moreCindy Park
We were huge fans when they had Saikai in ktown years ago. So extremely happy they opened a store in Westchester. The katsu is thick and delicious just as we remember. The salad dressing is refreshing and goes well with the cabbage. The pickled veggies are the perfect palette cleanser. The udon is made in house and the broth is poured table side. 20/10. Can’t wait to go back for more.
… moreMeiWah Wong
This place is a hidden gem. The food is fresh, delicious and flavorful! The owners put great care into their food. So happy to have this level of cuisine nearby!
… moreEmma Paikowsky
such a great addition to westchester! the food was amazing & the vibes and service were amazing
… more