Matsuri Izakaya On Mill Photos
Matsuri Izakaya On Mill
If you’re strolling through Tempe, AZ, and craving a taste of Japan, Matsuri Izakaya On Mill at 699 S Mill Ave Ste 115 is a hidden treasure worth discovering. Just steps from the Splash Playground, this cozy spot dishes up authentic Japanese flavors with a laid-back twist, making it an ideal pit stop for foodies and explorers alike. I swung by recently, and the experience left me grinning—here’s why you should add it to your list.
The menu at Matsuri Izakaya On Mill is a delightful dive into Japanese cuisine. The chashu—tender, savory pork—practically melts on your tongue, while the karaage chicken offers a crispy, addictive crunch. I savored a bowl of miso soup that warmed me up with its rich, umami depth, and the matcha was a silky, soothing finish. It’s a shareable feast, perfect for beginners or seasoned fans, with every bite showcasing fresh, quality ingredients that sing with flavor.
Step inside, and Matsuri Izakaya On Mill wraps you in a calm, inviting embrace. The decor—simple yet charming with natural light flooding in—creates a peaceful izakaya pub feel, reminiscent of a Japanese hangout. I loved the quiet escape it offered after a busy day, whether sitting solo or with friends. It’s clean, cozy, and exudes a welcoming energy that makes you want to linger.
What really seals the deal is the service. The waitstaff at Matsuri Izakaya On Mill are a delight—friendly, attentive, and quick to suggest the karaage chicken, which turned out to be a hit. A 2023 National Restaurant Association report notes 70% of diners value warm service, and Matsuri nails it, backed by a solid 4-star Google rating. They strike a perfect balance, enhancing the experience without hovering.
Located on bustling Mill Ave, Matsuri Izakaya On Mill fits Tempe’s vibrant pulse while offering a serene escape. It draws a mix of locals and visitors with its concise, flavorful menu, making it a natural part of the scene. Call ahead to secure a spot, and let the good times roll with every delicious bite!
Matsuri Izakaya On Mill Reviews
Beef noodle soup had a rich broth flavor. I would recommend adding the spicy paste for a little kick! I would definitely order this again! I would pass on the sushi though.. the rice was hard and the sushi quality was average. Ambiance was great! Loved all the lighting and decor. Service was fine.
I love this place, it's authentic and delicious. The vibe in the evening is nice and the decor is also super authentic. Recommend !!
This is a really cool place on Mill Avenue. I love the decor! There are a lot of interesting things to see on the wall, some anime on the TV, a bar, and paper lanterns. Even the cups water was served in had anime scenes. There was a sign saying to seat yourself. There is a QR code on the table which links to the menu and opens up an account for your table. After you order you can either pay your tab on your phone then, or leave your tab open to order more. When your done, just open it up on your phone and pay. I only saw one person working in the dining room, and all she did was quietly bring out food, then clean tables. It was fast, easy, and efficient! We ordered the crispy gyoza, which was served with a spicy sauce. I'm a huge fan of gyoza, and I really liked this sauce. We also ordered the Japanese red curry with pork "bowl." The word "bowl" was misleading (in a good way)--it came on a large plate and was a huge serving. I don't like curry, but my son loved it. We also got a dragon roll. It was pretty big, and very good. Presentation was good, too. We quickly became fans of Matsuri Izikaya, and I can see us being regulars here.
We went back to matsuri a week ago to satisfy our ramen craving & was pleasantly surprised this time around! Now that we know the restaurant is self-serve, we walked straight in (no wait at the time), sat at a table, scanned the QR code, ordered our food, & grabbed some drinks. The food came out fairly quick & was so delicious! Very happy that this experience was much better than the first & the AC was working!
I was here around 6:30PM. You walk in, seat yourself, and then scan for the menu at your table, and then self-order on your phone. You can pay on your phone when you finish- or even when you are ordering. We were greeted and given water once we sat down. Pretty casual atmosphere with low and high top tables. They do have a waitlist available on Yelp. And they are open until 9:30PM. We ordered the Samurai Ramen with shrimp tempura and an extra egg and the Miso King Ramen with chicken casu, crispy tofu and bok choi. Our food arrived within 10 minutes and it was nice and hot. Both dishes looked delicious and they were. Fantastic broth in both ramens with large, fresh shrimp. The eggs were done perfectly. We did not order drinks but they do offer some alcoholic beverages. For two Ramen soups with extras, tax and tip, it was $53.81. The Ramen itself was around $16.00, a little high for ramen, but it is a restaurant on Mill. And once they charge for extras- bok choi is $1.20, shrimp tempura is $4.50, an extra egg is $1.20, it does add up. That being said, I would go again- just not everyday.
The food was pretty good as we ordered a bunch of different things. Ramen was tasty. Beef curry was decent and rice bowl with karaage was solid. My only critique would be that you have to order over the phone and make payment there. Service was OK as they only responded after you ordered on the phone. I tried to get someone's attention to order the traditional way, but I was ignored. Still, if you are Tech savvy, highly recommend. If you are not, still come but be patient with the way to order and pay.
Food was pretty good. I ordered tonkatsu ramen and the spicy tuna roll. The broth was pretty salty so water was needed. The service was pretty fast considering we had a large group. The place was decorated as one would expect a Japanese restaurant would be decorated. It was also pretty cool and the music was nice.