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Tokyo Delve's Sushi Bar
Categories: Restaurants Sushi Bars Restaurants Japanese Sushi Bars, Japanese [Edit]
5239 Lankershim BlvdNorth Hollywood, CA 91601
Neighbourhood: North Hollywood
(818) 766-3868
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 6 pm - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 6 pm - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Touristy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
About This Business:
At Sushi Sasabune, it is our mission to make your sushi experience like no other. Trust us, and you'll see what we mean. We adjust courses based on our… read more »
529 reviews for Tokyo Delve's Sushi Bar
Review Highlights
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"Sake bombs are awesome with your table's own personal keg." In 174 reviews -
"Best to go with a big group and make reservations." In 31 reviews -
"Such a great time was had by all at our table." In 45 reviews
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529 reviews in English
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Review from Vin G.
Saint Louis, MO
5/19/2012
Today, I had no plans except to go to Ross to look for a shower curtain.
A friend called late this afternoon to ask if I wanted to go see a movie. We decided to look for a place to eat before the show. Last Saturday, I walked past this place and noticed a line so we decided to check it out. We weren't sure if it was open, but when we walked up to the door, the door was ajar, and someone with their hand out the door motioned us to come in with his finger. No line. We figured it was open, and having no clue what was going to happen next.
The interior is really really tacky and has a faint odor on the left side of the room. Once we walked into the establishment, we noticed we were two of 6 people at approx 6pm on a Friday night. Apparently this is a entertainment sushi bar, where before, during, and after your meal, you will be asked to do the cha cha slide, the Macarena, the MC Hammer like parachute pants dance to Poison by Bell Biv Devoe, watch the NSync "Bye Bye Bye" choreography performed by 5 sushi chefs, the wait staff, and the DJs....and get a lap dance from a guy wearing a rubber pecs/ abs attachment, forcing you to motorboat him. I watched a girl chug a "cherry bomb" and get it all over her shirt....while she was dining w/ her parents. I automatically assumed this was a gay bar, but I was chided by the servers for assuming that. C'mon, they were playing YMCA and It's Raining Men. I was told by one of them, "I'm straight, single, and disease free." while his coworker said, "Only from the waist up." Not your typical sushi bar conversation.
I fully partook. All in broad daylight, after work, before a movie.
The whole staff talks to you, asks your name, tries to get you to order sake bombs, tells you to stand on your chair and dance....even while you're eating, or ordering food, or chatting w/ your neighbor. There's no escape. A couple who walked in, was seated, immediately left. It's not for everybody.
A friend and I shared a Spicy Sushi combo for two (3 spicy rolls, and 4 types of nigiri) and had a Sapporo each. Our bill was probably $35/piece. We were stuffed, and let the some of it go to waste. I would say the food was probably 3 stars, fairly standard and the quality was decent and not spectacular. The extra star is for the forcing me to let loose after a mediocre daily grind.
I can't really comment about the nighttime scene, as when I left there was a line, and it was still light outside.
If you read the reviews before you come here (which I didn't), don't come here if you don't like a rowdy crowd, getting trashed, or complain about the price if you can easily look up this information online. I think this place has true entertainment value if you just let go of your inhibitions....and do the hustle, jump on it. -
Review from Kristin H.
Encino, CA
5/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place was fun... Like 3 years ago, the first time only. Now, it's just annoying how many people line up and wait formthisnplace to open. The prices are super high and the show is mediocre at best. There's always a minimum of $25 per person to spend on food and drink, but the food sucks. It's americanized sushi, so a lot of California Roll... Meh
I won't come here again. Once was good enough. -
Review from Kristina H.
Alhambra, CA
5/18/2012
Dear Tokyo Delves, I did not appreciate having to wait in line for an hour!
...Seriously, I did not. We had reservations for 7:30 and we were there right on time since we didn't want to miss the show, but they didn't let us in til damn near 8:30! I think they just wanted people driving by to see how big the line was getting. If that's not the case, then they can't manage their business to get people in and out on time.
Now that I'm done complaining, let's get to the good part. The staff is absolutely hilarious and so entertaining. Sake bombs are so much fun and everyone there is doing them! Your table is gonna be covered in beer and sake by the end of the night, since drinks are splashing everywhere. The party gets pretty loud here and there's some dancing too! So if you don't like noise, or if the thought of dancing on your chair to the Macarena or the YMCA is frightening, then this is not the place for you! haha
The sushi is not that good, plain and simple. It's edible and I didn't get sick from it, but it's still nothing to get excited over. The quality is similar to what you get at the grocery store with those pre-made sushi rolls in the plastic box. So however you feel about those kind of rolls is how you are going to feel about the ones they serve at Tokyo Delves.
A lot of people were complaining about the price, I don't think this place is expensive at all. We had a party of 7 and enjoyed 2 gallon sized beer kegs, a small platter of sushi rolls, a chicken teriyaki plate, 2 extra california rolls, and MANY rounds of sake and our bill came to $223 including tax and gratuity. This is approximately $31 per person. That's kinda cheap if you ask me, I seriously had at least 4 beers off of those kegs, we all did, and at least 4 sake bombs? (I like to do it big sometimes:)) This is not a bad deal, it's a great deal!
Overall I had a great time here and I would have given this place 4 stars, but the wait to get in was sooooo stupid so they lost major points with me on that one. I would consider coming back here for the party. -
Review from Charlene B.
Glendale, CA
5/3/2012
I'm never going back here. The bouncers are sexist and racist. Not to mention the managers for keeping them there. First the bouncer hit on me, then when i told him i had a boyfriend and he's in the back of the line he didn't let him in because of dress code. there's nothing on their website that talks about dress code!
my party and i decided to go somewhere else and upon leaving he called us a bunch of chinks! dont support this place. -
Review from Tim R.
4/16/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I had my birthday party here last year. You don't come here for good sushi, you come here to party and get your drink on. For the entertainment and effort, they get 5 stars. My entire birthday party had a good time as this was a bit different from your usual boring birthday dinner. Yes the sushi is not that great but its also not that bad.
Some cons:
-the sitting was super tight
-waiting in line outside was a bit annoying
Some pros:
-the staff works hard to make it fun and entertain you
-a lot of drinking games and sake bombs
Would I have my birthday here again, NO. Would I come here again for someone else's birthday , YES. It's one of those spots you check out one time. -
Review from Susana V.
Burbank, CA
4/17/2012
I never knew you could have so much fun eating sushi and doing sake bombs.
The sushi is not the best I've had, but the party like atmosphere and the staff made up for it times a thousand!
Worth the wait -
Review from Roman M.
Los Angeles, CA
4/10/2012
I went inside did not expect to be greeted with full of energized people. I was amazed awsome atmosphere great place lots of entertainment and laughter. A perfect way to celebrate with all kinds of people but make sure to make reservation and expect the exciting employees and lots of fun. The food was great.
Outstanding service. -
Review from Carlos O.
Bell, CA
4/26/2012
5reasons you may or may not go to Tokyo Delves
1. Food is about a 2.5-3stars
2. Saki taste like rubbing alcohol but keeps flowing with the beer 3-4stars
3. Dancing on chairs 4stars (so you understand why your chair may be wet)
4. Customer service 5stars
5.PARTY and GOOD TIMES 5 stars -
Review from Juan M.
Culver City, CA
5/6/2012
This place is fun, but the food is average.
We waited in line for about 45 minutes before we were finally let in. The staff was really energetic and welcoming. Shortly after we were seated, the manager (I'm assuming he was the manager) loses his temper and starts going off on one of his female staff. This guy starts off by yelling "If you're gonna act like a f-ing a-hole, you can just go home" ... he keeps ranting for another two minutes or so with zero consideration for the girl or any of the 15 + customers around him who can hear his vulgarity. He was a complete a-whole.
Food
The food was okay. The quality of the sushi does not justify the price. It's a bit pricey and the quality is "so-so." Actually, I was pretty disappointed, especially since they took about 40 minutes to get our sushi order out.
Booz
Their beer barrels are roughly $36 dollars each ... definitely on the pricey side. For the most part, I noticed most people, including ourselves, were all doing Saki bombs for most of the night. It would appear the booz selection is a bit limited.
Atmosphere
The premium you pay is really mostly for the atmosphere. The hosts are wildly entertaining, and as my friend described it, it's basically "a big party" I was definitely having a good time (minus the incident with the manager) and I could tell people around me were enjoying themselves.
Your buzz will quickly go away when your server brings you your check.
In short, I had a great time, but I don't think I will be heading back anytime in the near future. -
Review from Ashley L.
Alhambra, CA
4/20/2012
Three dollar signs, indeed.
I came here for the first time for a friend's birthday and had the time of my life... that was until the check came. We had about 20-25 people at the table and the original plan was $20/person. Somehow, it ended up being $50/person! I think their plan is to get everyone drunk enough with sake bombs, and then raise the prices last minute.
Still, as expensive as it is, Tokyo Delve's is a GREAT place to celebrate special occasions with a group of friends. Just let them know beforehand how pricey it's going to be. It looks like a club from the outside and you actually have to wait in line to get in...just like at a club! The inside decor reminds me of a cheap white-washed Japanese restaurant...the kind you would see in movies or shows like Sex and the City. Every two tables literally shares a keg of beer, and each table is given two bottles of sake. Every 10-15 minutes, the announcer rounds up the crowd, and everyone chugs a sake bomb. The noise level is extremely loud because everyone is extremely drunk. They even throw in a booty shaking contest at the peek of all the drunkenness.
Two words of advice: (1) bring enough cash/money. (2) Have a designated driver. -
Review from Marco J.
Los Angeles, CA
3/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Tokyo Delves reminds me of my ex girlfriend. Yeah, it was lots of fun hanging with her, but my wallet would always take a pounding and I'd be left wondering "whoa WTF, what just happened?" No different here folks.
Sure, who doesn't like getting together with a group of friends, getting drunk, and singing along like idiots to music that used to make the TRL circuit in the late 90s and early 00s? By the time they bring you the bland sushi, you're too drunk to care.
What I DON'T like, however, is the ridiculously large tabs that you receive at the end of the night. It's understandable how other reviewers say that you're paying for a fun show, and it is a fun show...but what I can't understand is how they don't understand that a large amount of that bill comes from the bland sushi that would barely make the cut for a convenience store in the middle of the mojave desert. Plus the gratuity charge is ridiculous. Yeah I had fun, but the night ended with a buzzkill, and my wallet now needs to go to counseling. -
Review from Lyna V.
5/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place should not even call themselves a sushi bar...the "sushi" was so disgusting, mushy, and practically a ball of rice. The reviews are right, you literally are paying to sit in a loud and crowded room, watching people get drunk as hell off the cheap sake and beer (I am guilty of partaking in this and getting myself buzzed to forget the amount my boyfriend had to pay for us to be there). Lucky for us, we came with a group of girls which earned our table a couple bottles of cold sake on the house. I've never seen a $1,000+ dinner bill until I came here. I nearly passed out hearing my friend say it. I gave the place a shot, going in fully prepared for a shit show, and a shitty show I did receive.
BUT highlight of my night: Orlando Brown (Eddie from That's So Raven) was there and was trying to bum a ciggy off of us while we were waiting in line (yes...there is a line!) HAHA. Disney stars all grown up... -
Review from Rufusia D.
Beverly Hills, CA
3/21/2012
WOW... I am blown away at how a place like this stays in business! Rude, racist, and disgusting!!
First of all, there is no dress code posted on the website, and everyone told us that its a "party atmosphere" so expect to get beer & sake' on your clothes. When we got there, we were told out outfits were inappropriate (regular jeans an Tshirt).
They finally let us in but not before we overheard the managers laughing at the women we were with calling them "chinks" and "zipperheads". When my friend confronted the one manager about the comments he dismissed her in a VERY disrespectful way.
Once inside the show was pretty good and while half our party walked out because of the racist comments by the managers, four of us stayed to drink and grab a bite. Couldn't believe that it got worse! My buddy got a shocked look on his face when he pulled up a BAND-AID with his spoon from his soup! We made a big deal about this (obviously) but the management was already upset with us from what happened earlier that they told us we "framed" it.
Thank god for YELP because everyone should know to STAY AWAY from this place. it needs to be shut down! -
Review from George T.
Burbank, CA
4/5/2012
Within 1 minute of stepping into this place I thought, where the f____ am I? Seriously this place exists and it's popular? Why would anyone think this place is remotely entertaining? So the reason we waited outside was to watch a frat guy play air drums, another wear over-sized lighted glasses and play a balloon guitar and a uncoordinated group do a lousy attempt of 'NSYNC choreography. Highlight of the "show" was a man doing the same lame sexual gesture for 5 minutes long. I tried to make the best of it, but at the end of the day they're attempt to make you remotely buzzed with their watered down beer couldn't save me.
The walls are wallpapered with vinyl tablecloths and over 200 99 cent store only "Happy St. Patrick's Day" signs. I mean, really guys? I've seen alleys decorated better than this and if you are going to drape the ceiling with blanket lights, let's try to make sure at least half of them are working. They cram you in there like sardines and there is hardly any air ventilation.
I feel horrible for trashing this place, but I can't find a single thing that I liked. The sushi is absolutely terrible. The concept is strong: a room full of people that are waiting to get drunk, listen to classic hits from our generation and eat sushi, but it fails on so many levels. -
Review from Cassi P.
Los Angeles, CA
4/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Gosh after reading all the negative reviews I was worried about coming here for my friend's birthday. Little did I know how apparently boring everyone is. This is not a place to get great food. Jesus this isn't even a place to eat but they force you to meet a 12 dollar minimum.
Sure it's cheap liquor. You'll wake up with a hangover the next day. But there's a restaurant wide sake bomb, the waiters dance around like idiots, and the bouncers are hot. This is the psuedo-japanese chuck-e-cheese for adults.
If you come here expecting anything more than a somewhat overpriced party then you will be disappointed. Overall, I had a fabulous time. -
Review from Ramon R.
Glendale, CA
3/18/2012
Where do I start with this place?
If you enjoy taking your hard earned money and ripping it through sheds all for the sake of an hour or so of entertainment. Then by all means, please come out here.
The food was absolutely horrible! Might as well buy 7 eleven sushi. The whole place reminds me of a really bad kareoke where they put on this "show" and they sing songs and dance.
If you are easily amused then you might enjoy this place. We paid around $120 (I still don't know for what) and after their show is over they ask for your money and then they rudely kick you out so they can set up for the next show.
I short, if you want a real show. Go to the Pantages. It is less expensive and far more rewarding. -
Review from Jason D.
Burbank, CA
3/31/2012
Totally mediocre! Went on a thurs night and just could not believe the price for the awful food... The entertainment was on par but you have to pay an arm, a leg, and a few fingers to even get even the slightest bit buzzed. And thats just for drinks, for food your lookin at over $20 worth to even get your fix.
If I were anyone else I would just walk a block down and hit up the Federal Bar. -
Review from Aash C.
Berkeley, CA
2/20/2012
This place is the Chuck E. Cheese for adults: overpriced, disgusting and not worth it. I felt like I was in one big birthday party because the decoration and layout was seriously for little kids.
1. Price
We made a reservation for 15 and we were told that it was a $20 minimum per person for food (15 x $20 = $300 total). We knew that alcohol + tip was going to make the bill come out to more, but we were given a big fat check for $800. Prepare to empty your wallets for a crappy experience.
2. Food.
Is it even considered food? They seriously just threw whatever they could find into the deep fryer and sliced everything into small portions. I eat like a bird and I wasn't even full at the end of the night. I also noticed that there was only one chef that was Japanese--- I know the economy is weak but did the Japanese chef really have stoop down to this level?
3. Alcohol & Service
Alcohol was ridiculously overpriced. Sake bombs are fun but you can do it elsewhere for half of the price. Furthermore, the wait staff kept coming and pressuring us to buy more sake bombs. We didn't even FINISH our beer on multiple occasions but they just kept coming back to give us more barrels. The wait staff is INCREDIBLY pushy to get you drunk so that you could buy more alcohol. They are incredibly crude and it's not entertaining at all. I don't want to see guys humping the air to the chicken dance song. Please leave that in your lonely bedroom. There's a dancing "contest" but really, they just look for the girl with the largest breasts to give her a tshirt, and they look for the nerdiest guy to call him a virgin. I also want to emphasize that the emcee was drunk. How professional.......
Please, for the sake of your wallet, your stomach, and the Japanese chef's integrity, do not visit this overpriced restaurant. Be classy. -
Review from Jeremiah C.
Los Angeles, CA
2/29/2012
Read some bad reviews on Yelp, I was warned. But I ignored them at my own cost. There are many cons here. To name a few:
1) Very poor quality sushi.
2) Very small portions of food.
3) Questionable quality of alcohol.
Seriously - if you go be prepared to dish out a lot of money (we paid about $60/person), and drink piss quality alcohol (they warm it to hide how cheap it is, but you can't fool me), then be my guess.
What really bothers me is that the people who work here have very questionable ethics. What they do isn't much different than straight robbery. Their business model is pressuring people to get buzzed enough so that they won't notice the low quality sushi and the tiny portion sizes, and to get customers drunk enough so that they won't say no to waiters who are trying to liquor them up even more. -
Review from Shaunna C.
Covina, CA
2/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
I went here with a group to have a good time, and we had a mediocre one.
This is the type of place where you totally are going for the show and nothing more. Our food was gross... if you're expecting a serious sushi bar, go elsewhere and save yourself the time.
If you're looking for alright sushi (and I am talking about late night 7-11 Grade sushi when it is 'fresh') and some awesome entertainment, you're in luck.
All and all, I felt this place was overrated and definitely not my style of party. -
Review from Amy C.
2/6/2012
The sushi is asi-asi, but the venue is uber fun.
A great place for a huge birthday if you're looking for a place to host something. It's loud, engaging, and relatively inexpensive. Gotta love the waiters singing 90's songs and executing perfect retro dance moves. Come here to get fed, boozed, and celebrate. Parking is easy to find, too. Sake Bomb! -
Review from Jennifer C.
New York, NY
3/2/2012
FAIR WARNING: you have to fully know what you're getting yourself into before you go to Tokyo Delves. If you want decent sushi, a show, and a full hour and a half of sake bombing, and feeling like you're at a frat party then this is the place for you.
A few friends and I were visiting LA and my friend thought that this was the perfect place to bring us to. You can order mini-kegs for your table ... enough said. Basically you start the meal off with a sake bomb ... and then another one ... and then people start dancing on chairs .... and then more sake bombs anddddddddddd some more sake bombs. My friend and I ended up doing the chicken dance on our chairs, you know totally normal (whadd up Raisa).
The food from what I can remember was not amazing sushi, but it was decent. It's also a little pricey, so get ready to shell out a couple of $$$. You definitely go to this place to have fun and be in a crazy atmosphere, definitely not for fine dining. Would definitely go back for a birthday or other celebrations. You will be trashed about a half hour after being seated. -
Review from Gregory D.
Santa Clarita, CA
3/27/2012
I went here for my 21st birthday with my friends and the atmosphere was perfect. Right when you walk in the door it is like walking into the middle of a party. there is music and the waitstaff is welcoming and excited. I agree that this is not the place to go if you are not ready or looking for the show that they put on. That is the whole reason to come to Tokyo Delves though. That and the sake bombs.
It definitely was not cheap, but I enjoyed everything I ate. We had the party menu which had so many different types of food and sushi on it. It was nice to not have to worry about ordering and just have a good time. -
Review from Karla G.
Not the best food but definitely the best time, so for that, I give them 4 stars. :) Came here to celebrate my best friend's birthday last night and we had a BLAST!!! It was SOOOO much fun! Loved it. I mean c'mon, who doesn't love "I say sake you say...BOMB!" lol. And dancing on chairs?! Who wouldn't love that?! lmao. What a fun, crazy place to celebrate a birthday in! The staff was loads and loads of fun from the moment we walked in. They were attentive, crazy and simply spectacular! My kind of spot! :)
Oh by the way...
-Make a reservation
-Go w/ a big group
-Stay away from this place if you're a BORE. ;P
-Make sure your group takes a designated driver, lol. -
Review from lottie t.
4/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Tokyo Delves is a fun place to go with a large group, and make sure to make reservations. We came on a Tuesday night, so it was fun, but I can see how this place gets packed on the weekends. In addition, make sure you either cab or walk it there. They are serious about their sake bombs, and I'm sure it makes it loads more fun. The place is a lot of fun. We went for their Christmas show, and the host was great, funny, lively. There weren't that many people, so it probably wasn't as lively as it normally is, but they still made it entertaining and fun. I enjoyed myself, the sushi was ok, but the atmosphere is great and worth any celebration here.
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Review from Dylan K.
Los Angeles, CA
2/12/2012
The food here was average for the expensive prices, and the alcohol was overpriced. The wait staff was pushy in an attempt to get you drunk, and coerce you into buying more expensive sub-par food & drinks.
I was embarrassed for everyone else there, and one of the entertainer girls was grinding on my arm while I was trying to eat. Seems like they only pay attention to you if you're buying more drinks.
Tokyo Delve's was more like Tokyo Hell. -
Review from Damion B.
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA
3/29/2012 3 Check-ins Here
This is the funniest craziest sushi experience ever. I celebrated my birthdays here and was rotated to lights disco balls whistles and sake bombers all nigt long. Everybody songs and the sushi chefs got up on the tables and stated dancing. This place is a mist for Amy lift who wants to have a night. To never forget. Unless of course you black out like I did. After twenty five sale bombers I was bombed
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Review from Kevin J.
N HOLLYWOOD, CA
4/20/2012
If you're looking for great sushi, look elsewhere. The food at Tokyo Delve's has been average at best each of the 6 or 7 times I've been there.
But if you want a dining experience that is more fun than, and completely unlike, anything you're likely to find anywhere else, check it out. I think the food is average and I've still gone there 6 or 7 times. -
Review from Jason A.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 12/29/2011
They enforce a food minimum, which is unfortunate given how horrible quality of food is. The spicy tuna roll I ordered was not fresh and the sesame chicken was meh.
This place is great for drinking though, and plenty of it there will be. Their business model is built on getting their customers drunk - hope your wallet can handle it because it's expensive + they are sneaky salesmen.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/10/2008
It's the Chilli's version of a sushi joint...just really obnoxious and an over produced routine.… Read more »
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Review from Eric A.
Torrance, CA
5/13/2012
Food was OK. Entertainment was great. Very loud, but a fun place with a big group of drinkers. Sake Bombs kept coming.
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Review from Sally N.
Orange County, CA
12/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
No stars
Food tastes like crap
Service sucks
Seating cramped
Retarded 90's pop music entertainment
They make the sake piping hot so you can't taste how bad it is
Never again -
Review from D H.
Los Angeles, CA
3/11/2012
Edit: Here's how you beat the system- parties of 14 or less only have a $12 minimum on the horrible food while parties of 15 or more have to pay $20 or higher. To minimize your food damage and maximize your drinking, make sure you divide your parties into groups of 14 or less. The food is sooooo bad, you'll thank me later for this advice.
Expensive, terrible food. Fun place to drink but not worth it. They conduct business in a shady way, and if you make a reservation, be prepared to pay a great deal more than you expect. Do not recommend unless you like wasting money. Go to The Federal up the street for a better time. -
Review from Paul K.
Los Angeles, CA
3/25/2012
RIP OFF RIP OFF RIP OFF!!!!!
As you can tell by the above sentence, I feel this place is a rip off. Went here for a friends birthday party. When I was told we were going to a sushi restaurant I was excited. When I saw the prices on their horribly designed website, I was less excited but thought, oh well I'll just moderate what I eat. When I actually got to the place I was like oh sh*t, what have we gotten ourselves into.
First of all you have to wait in a huge line to get in, sort of like a club. You see this is not really a restaurant, but the bastard child of Oktoberfest and an Americanized sushi bar. Once you are finally inside you are led to a very narrow yet long school cafeteria table and are forced to literally climb into your seat as they are pack so close together. Notwithstanding the obvious fire code violations of leaving no room for people to walk in the aisles or get out of their chairs, there is no where to even move without elbowing your friend sitting next to you.
For large groups of people they make you eat family style off of a pre-fixe menu. Since everyone here belonged to a large group, why even bother with a non party menu online? They ask your table, and by table basically the few people within ear shot of the server if your table wants to drink. By drink, they mean cheap beer and even cheaper sake. For the people at the table who do not wish to drink, or in my case will drink a beer but HATE sake, this really is unfair as now I am stuck paying for something I do not want. Also forget asking for water. My girlfriend asked and
the idiot waiter just left a giant carafe with no glass for her. Moron.....
On to the food. The tables are so small and they put a mini keg every few people so there really is nowhere to put food. Also, for 18 people we received 5 courses with 3 trays each. Unfortunately this means that even if you are lucky to be sitting by a tray you aren't getting that much food to eat. The pre-fixe we purchased was $26 per person and I hate maybe 10 pieces of food. A few people had far less. I could go to Katsuya and pay less for more food. The food itself tasted cheap and bland. The only flavor I could make out was either fried, or cream cheese. Even the wasabi was weak. I was eating dime sized portions of it and barely tasted it.
They say that the chef is from Japan.... what crime did this man commit there that caused him to end up in a dump like this? Is he on the run from the Yakuza and just figured that no one who think to ever look for him in a place like this?
Back to drinks. Now the waiters basically just keep bringing more beer and sake, whether you ask for it or not. Now I am no lawyer, but isn't it illegal to purposefully get your patrons drunk and then force them to buy liquor?
The bill came out to over $800 for our table. But the raping of our wallets does not end there. They have a restroom attendant who asks for tips, the dancing on stage stands in the doorway as you leave with a tip bucket. Finally you get the pleasure of paying for parking 2 blocks away, because it's NOHO, and there is no free parking here.
Finally once they are through gouging you, they rush you out the door to bring the next group of suckers in. They actually announced over the PA system that if you were waiting for your credit card, to please wait outside for it because they had to clean up for the next group.
Went to get a burger and fries after this, because I was still hungry. I have to say this was one of the worst meals I have ever eaten. If I could give it zero stars I would. If I could beat the owner until he gives us a refund without potentially going to jail I would. How this place isn't shut down yet is beyond me.
Stay away, if you want this type of environment, go to chuck e cheese and bring flasks. It will be more fun and way cheaper. -
Review from C. Erin B.
Glendale, CA
1/18/2012
Ok. SOOOOOO the Sushi, isn't the best!!! BUT the TIME THAT YOU HAVE is the THE BEST!!!
Yes! our party was outside for a minute... but ONCE we got IN!!
1) We had the BEST waitress, EVER
2) Best PERSON to set it up... ask for TINA
3) Best SEATING
.....4) LAST BUT NOT LEAST....BEST DANCER FOR THE Jan. 14th...meeeeeeee
5) Do the SAKE BOMBS!!
My friends, AND my PARENT'S enjoyed!!!! -
Review from Mya G.
Northridge, CA
3/21/2012
Do not go there for the sushi honestly worst sushi ever some of the entertainers were okay but the DJ by far disgusting rounchy grinding on every woman their which some seem to be a little a too young to be allowed in,for it being a 21 n over place.. Was so put off. I was hoping for a good show entertainment but thinking ur going in to enjoy a good time and having that turn into a who can the DJ score with was completely different from what I was expecting
Would not recommend it way over priced sushi was nasty and over tasteless.. If I want a strip tease show I'll go to a strip club differntly not to see a 40+ year old man praying on young intoxicated women -
Review from Notorious A.
Los Angeles, CA
1/9/2012
Hello hello.
I had my very first experience with Tokyo Delve's in May 2011. My assessment is VERY fun and very pricey (come for a good time, don't come on a budget).
Come here with a group and don't be shy. Lot's of loud music, people singing along, and DANCING on the chairs my friends.
They have specific seating times for dinner, because it is like an interactive show. So if you have peeps arriving late it could get weird for them, but not impossible--and you have to make a reservation.
Their staff is fun and you will definitely be entertained. A good time for someone's birthday or celebrating something--as I said, with a group. Saki bombs are a must, but keep in mind that that is what will get you in the end price-wise. This place is very much for the experience, atmosphere, and fun. The food is pretty average, but you will have a good time. Everyone I went with had a great time, but nearly all of our eyes popped out when we got the bill.
I'd recommend this place, just beware of the bill--they keep the drinks coming with no hesitation and it'll getcha!
Toodles. -
Review from Julia b.
12/9/2011
We came here for a company christmas outing. It's kind of like an adults version of Ed Debevics. Expect to get drunk/rowdy here, thats what it is about!
The sushi is sub-par, but that really isnt the point of this place. the point is to drink, dance, and have fun.
We all had fun until the chefs started harassing us about tipping the DJ (in addition to the waitstaff) and buying cds/tshirts/etc.. As we were gathering our things they literally shut off the music and said into the microphone" Dont even think about leaving without tipping the DJ". Of course we had planned on tipping the DJ on our way out, but I thought it was rude to make such a big ordeal of it.
I also didn't appreciate how I asked them 10x to play a certain song, and they kept telling me "Sure!" and never played it. Rude. Maybe I was supposed to tip them first and THEN ask? Lame.
I won't be coming or suggesting Tokyo Delves for another holiday outing. While its a fun place, they make it really awkward with their whole sales tactics. -
Review from J L.
Los Angeles, CA
1/21/2012
This place reminds me of an embarrassing family reunion. Its crazy and weird, but also very fun! Its definitely a place to let loose and just have a good time.
I came here for a friend's birthday and I really didn't know what to expect. The food is so-so, but that's not why people come here. People come here because its a place where you can party, be crazy, be weird, and no one looks at you like you forgot to take your meds. I had a great time and the music was great (shout out to the DJ!). He played some great oldie jams. The whole atmosphere was just so fun.
Here's the spiel: I went with a relatively large group so we opted for the $25/person package deal. It was a good amount of food (sushi, teriyaki chicken and beef, tempura, and some fish thing). It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad. It'll do. We also ordered a few mini kegs of sapporo (signature beer here) and sake so the tab was significantly greater, but that was fine. Our server was cool too (Shout out to Kevin!). Basically the whole 2-hour dinner was like a sushi/nightclub fusion of a place. Strange, but i like it. If you come here, you better have your dancing shoes on. Also, designate the DDs early because there WILL be lots of drinking involved.
digs: The whole fun atmosphere, good entertainment, great vibes.
not so much: A bit crowded at times, food could be better.
last thoughts: Great place to celebrate a birthday. -
Review from Enrique G.
Los Angeles, CA
12/21/2011 2 photos
I was dragged to this place on a Friday night to celebrate a birthday. I had made previous attempts in the past to visit this spot but never entered. When first arriving they have you waiting outside in the cold like cattle, it has that whole club feel anticipating the unexpected.
I will admit entering the place they kinda get you hyped up, the staff starts to high five you as entering. The music is blasting like if you are entering the circus for the first time. Okay that was a bad comparison but I got clowns in my head. The seating has that cafeteria setup where you share long tables with strangers. Of course by the end of the night you may be up on the tables with those strangers dancing. The staff here seemed so hyper and animated which starts to rub off on you.
If you have to go here, don't be one of those fools that does not drink and is sober cuz honestly that was me. This is probably why I saw this more of a circus act since I was aware of my surrounds going wild. As for the non-sober goer this would be a fun night, they have you doing sake bombs to shaking it on the tables. Overall a fun experience, it was entertaining seeing the birthday person have a blast. Price wise this is pretty expensive for mediocre sushi. Great place for the kids in their early twenties discovering drinking, boring as hell for the sober. -
Review from Tracy P.
Diamond Bar, CA
3/10/2012
Went there with a big group of 16 and the service sucked. They crammed us into a table for 12-14 people and never came by to see how we were doing. It would take us a while to flag the waiter down. The busboys were more helpful and pleasant. I've been there a few times and it's like that each time.
