Hojoko - Japanese restaurant in Boston - 1271 Boylston St, USA

Don't waste your time and money here. Pretentious menu, while simultaneously trying to be a hip bar. We were not made aware of a 3% "hospitality admin fee" until we got the check—Nothing about the restaurant was special and yet, this is the first time any of us had ever heard of a hospitality administration fee on a dinner check. We ordered the shrimp toast, mushroom yakisoba, butternut squash okonomiyaki, an ume shiso chicken skewer, and yuzu matcha cheesecake. The food was not disgusting, but definitely overseasoned, mediocre, and not worth the price, nor any hype. The shrimp toast was the only tasty dish, but it was a SINGULAR (one) slice of bread with a stingy layer of shrimp paste cut into 6 tiny pieces for a whopping $15. The cheesecake flavors were good, but the execution of incorporating matcha flavor was again, stingy, and did not distribute the flavor well—I would recommend either mixing a balanced amount of matcha into the yuzu cheesecake or layering matcha creme between the cheesecake and crust with a light dusting of matcha on top, instead of a teeth-sticking dust blanket. The "okonomiyaki" was more like an okonomiyaki-inspired savory pancake. The "yakisoba" had way too much ginger and was also more like yakisoba-inspired stir-fried noodles. Wait staff were just okay. They did their best with what they were given. The music was too loud, and decor was confusing and cluttered.

Rating Reflection: 🌟🌟🌟Hojoko presents a modern twist on Japanese cuisine. While the experience had its ups and downs, it was a journey into contemporary Asian dining. Ambiance and Decor: 🍶💡The entrance, with its bar and standing area, initially gives off dive bar vibes. However, as you progress to the dining area, the transformation to a ‘Japanese Tavern’ ambiance, complete with string lights and hanging lamps, sets a perfect scene for an intimate date night. The dim lighting adds to the cozy and mysterious atmosphere. Service Experience: 🙋‍♂️⚠️Our server, Jack, was commendable, balancing attentiveness with respect for our space. However, the meal’s pacing felt disjointed. Our appetizer arrived last, disrupting the flow of the dining experience. The unfortunate incident of the peanut sauce spill was regrettable and impacted our overall experience. Culinary Adventure: 🍜🥟The menu, though somewhat limited, showcased dishes that were hits and misses. The ramen, priced at $20, didn’t quite meet my expectations. However, the pork and shrimp potstickers were a standout, as were the chicken wings. The modern interpretation of Japanese cuisine might appeal to some, but for traditionalists, it could be a bit too avant-garde. In Retrospect: 🤔Hojoko is an exploration of modern Japanese dining. It’s a place where the ambiance shines brighter than some aspects of the culinary experience. Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐ - “OK”“Hojoko: A Modern Spin on Japanese, Where Ambiance Meets Adventure.” Hojoko is for those who seek a contemporary twist on Japanese cuisine in a uniquely styled setting. It might not be the first choice for traditionalists, but it’s a spot that could surprise you with its inventive approach. 🍣✨🎊

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 "Hojoko: A Five-Star Flavor Fiesta!" Roll up your sleeves and dive into the culinary wonderland of Hojoko, where every bite is a bold adventure! 🍣🚀 Starting with the Spicy Tuna Roll, it's not just a roll; it's a rollercoaster of flavors! Imagine pickled Thai chiles doing the salsa with cucumbers while tempura bits cheer on the sidelines. 🌶️💃 Chicken wings? Oh, they're not just wings; they're crispy, fluttery dreams! Soaked in buttermilk brine like they've just returned from a spa, and you get to choose between garlic soy sauce or gouchujang. It's like picking your favorite superhero - each one packs a punch! 🦸‍♂️💥 Sipping on the Kukai Nigori Mango is like a tropical vacation in a glass. The milky orange hue whispers 'sunset', while the sweet mango flavor does the hula dance on your taste buds. 🍹🌅 And then, the Spicy Miso Ramen, a masterpiece in a bowl. It's a symphony where 48-hour chicken broth is the maestro, conducting a flavor orchestra of hatcho miso, spicy pork, and corn tempura. The soy egg? A velvety encore! 🍜🎶 Don't forget the Funky Chicken Ramen, where the chicken, after a 48-hour spa session in broth, comes out wearing a robe of soy egg and menma. It's so funky, even James Brown would approve. 🐔🕺 As for my Spicy Ramen with the works - it's like challenging a sumo wrestler to an eating contest. Spoiler alert: the sumo won. 🍜🥊 And yes, there's a plot twist - parking is $18, which feels like the price of admission to a flavor theme park. 🎡💸 In summary, Hojoko isn't just a restaurant; it's a joyous, zesty, flavor-filled gala that your taste buds will RSVP 'yes' to every time. 🎉👅

I will go back - this was my first time. Casual vibe, helpful staff. Food was well prepared. Some portions are a little small for the money but we enjoyed ourselves!

Portions are small given the price, but food is pretty good. Burger was great. Someone wrote somewhere that if McDonald’s was high-end, this would be it, and that’s a spot-on descriptor. Edamame was run of the mill. This was my first time trying shrimp toast since so many reviews mentioned it, but I didn’t really like it. I’m ambivalent on truffle as a flavor, but there was too much happening here. The toast was way fishy, and then on top of that, I felt soft bombarded by the lemon and truffle mayo taste. Also, even if it looks large in the pic, the size is one slice of shokupan so keep that in mind for your $15 app order. Was a bit over $36 for a heavy lunch essentially. Would get the burger again but skip the toast

The restaurant had fantastic atmosphere. Very hip and comfortable. Servers were friendly and foods came out quickly. Unfortunately food was not up to per. If Japanese people tried their Chicken Katsu curry, 10 out of 10 will say they won’t order that dish again. Rice had hard and dry texture. Roasted Cauliflower had too much sauce that I barely tasted the cauliflower. The restaurant definitely has great potential. I hope they pay closer attention to their food.

Came here to celebrate a birthday and had a really amazing time! It's right next to the Commuter Rail, so its easy and accessible. Walked from the station and two of our friends had already sat down at the table. Our server was so nice we talked to him all night about games. Helped make the experience a more memorable one . Especially as the drinks piled out. The mixed drinks were very strong, and we all appreciated that! The food was, really tasty! Like super good. Allot of this is small sharing plates, (If you've been to a Tapas Bar or restaurant its the same sort of concept) so we kept passing things around to try. My favorite foods ended up being the butternut squash okonomiyaki & something I can't remember. It was crunchy mushrooms set up like a sushi roll.(might have been the tempura roll?) Really really good. We also got the Wasabi Roulette and it was. . .hilarious to say the least. If you want to not care about price and want really some good Japanese fusion, I would definitely go again. It was really fun, drinks were strong, and we had a good time.

One of the few places in Boston still offering real heated outdoor seating and with excellent tapas style small plates, they made our new years eve for 2024 very special. We had a wonderful time. The food was creative and well made - the sweet potato tempura and the charred cauliflower were amongst the mosr original and unique dishes we have had. This is a place to go back to.