Hamada of Japan

What a bust! I don’t know whose fault this is, but someone needs to check this website. I wanted to take my husband out for his 60^th birthday and Hamada would be the perfect place, great food, abundant food, yadyadya. I checked online and it said hours 11:30−9. so when we got there at 3:55 thinking we had beaten the dinner crowd, we were so disappointed that it wasn’t open, despite what had been listed online. I called, but no one answered the phone nor was there a recording. So, we took our appetites to Texas Roadhouse. After completing our meal, and passing by Hamada on the way home, cars were in the parking lot. I then called and was told the hours were 4:30−9. Someone needs to check out all the sites listed for this Hamada so others won’t make the same mistake.

Very good food. Didn’t wait long, the noodles were AMAZING, and the steak/​chicken meal was exceptional. I would highly suggest reservations, because there was legit about 75 people waiting to get in when my party arrived.
If you enjoy hibachi, this is a very good restaurant to experience.

I’ve heard good things about this place over the past few months and had the opportunity go this past weekend. When my friend called to make reservations there were none available and everyone decided to go at 4:30 to try and get a table. I thought this was a good and a bad things… good because if there are no reservations available and bad because there was no way we were getting a table. Luckily, I was wrong and we were seated right away. I haven’t been to many hibachi places but I did think this one was really tasty. I liked that they gave you noodles with your meal. I ordered steamed rice instead of the fried rice. I was regretting my decision at first but when I saw how much butter he put in there I was feeling a little better about my decision. I guess that’s what makes it taste so good! Best part of the meal? Him slicing up the veggies… just like fruit ninja!

My husband and I had a date night here last Friday. Food was great, staff was great, my only complaint is the presentation was not very impressive & the food was seemingly overpriced. It would be a great idea to bring the kids, however again they would not be fully enthralled in the presentation because it was lackluster, and frankly we wouldn’t be able to afford it.

We went to Hamada last night for my son’s 20^th birthday. I was a little hesitant after reading some of the bad reviews about the customer service. When we arrived, the parking lot was full and the place was crowded however, we had a reservation, and only had about a five minute wait. We were seated at a table with another family and had the best time ever. Our waitress was super friendly, our drinks were replenished as soon as one drink got about half way empty and the food was EXCELLENT! Our chef put on a fantastic show. They even put a candle in my son’s ice cream, introduced our celebration to the restaurant and everyone sung happy birthday, AMAZING! Such a good time! We will definitely be going back. Thank you Hamada for a memorable birthday dinner for my son!

My absolute favorite restaurant. Best Japanese ever. Seasoned well! Large portions-​two to three can eat off one plate. Can’t go wrong here!

Embarrassment of Japan.
Went here last night to celebrate my friend’s birthday. It was supposed to be a surprise so the entire party got there early. However, the hosts would not seat us until the ENTIRE party arrived… which meant my friend for whom the party was being thrown. We tried to explain to the male host (Asian, middle aged, tan short sleeve button down — unfortunately I did not catch his name) that it was a surprise birthday and it would be amazing if we were able to sit down… however, the male host, who was apparently in charge, would not budge on the restaurant policy. An individual in our party pointed out that there was no reason that we were unable to be seated except the unwillingness of the host, especially since we had a reservation and the birthday girl was minutes away. It was coming from a place of frustration as no one who worked in the restaurant exhibited the desire to be even slightly helpful or apologetic. What happened next was absolutely unimaginable…
Instead of attempting to remedy the situation or appease the party of 16 people, all of who were about to spend considerate money at the establishment, the male host proceeded to ask the individual in our party who was doing the majority of communicating if he «wanted to fight» and if he «could read» while pointing to a plaque with restaurant seating policy. The individual responded that he did not wish to speak to the host any further. However, the host continued to speak in the most rude manner, including usage of curse words. He said that we «ruined the party» for ourselves. This all happened in the front hall in earshot of a dozen other customers but the host did not seem to care.
We had to shout surprise in the front hall.
When it came time for us to get seated, one table of 8 was seated in a completely different section than the other table of 8 people. There was a table open next to our table but the restaurant staff refused to sit us next to one another. When asked why, the host stated that this only happened because of our complaints earlier. Finally after begging literally every staff member in sight for 10 minutes we were seated together.
The food was great for a hibachi restaurant but the horrible, demeaning service we received definitely put a damper on the night. The birthday girl got visibly upset over the seating issue, something that should never happen in a restaurant in which plenty of tables were available and for which reservations were made beforehand.
Customer service is about pleasing the customer if the requests are within reason. If an establishment cannot accommodate a request it is also understandable. However, at that point the establishment should do everything possible to ensure that the rest of the experience is positive. I have never been to a restaurant at which the host degraded his clientele and then attempted to take revenge on them by making their time there as unpleasant as possible. He is an embarrassment to the restaurant and the food service industry as a whole.
If it was not for my friend’s birthday I would have definitely taken my business elsewhere that night… as I will be going forward in addition to the rest of the individuals in our party.

First of all, I want to say that the dinner special was actually a good deal regarding the amount of food you’re supposed to get. And I say «supposed to get» because as a few other reviewers have mentioned, this style of cooking certainly does not guarantee that each person seated will actually be served in equal amounts. My husband and I went out with some friends — another married couple, one of which was pregnant and always ended up getting what appeared to be the least amount of food every time… couldn’t help but notice especially since one would think that wouldn’t happen to her of all people!
Now the food itself was actually pretty good… you know why? Because they literally have a bucket of butter on the cart that the chef is constantly reaching for to cook every single thing. And hate to say it, but telling the chef how you want your meat cooked turns out to be pointless… because everything was well done. At least with our chef’s style of cooking.
As much as I would love to give this place a higher rating, the service overall was just bad. Okay, so we showed up a bit later (about 30 – 45 minutes before they were supposed to close)…but that’s doesn’t excuse taking over 10 minutes to greet us to get our order, then another 15 minutes for a very moody/​angry chef to finally come by to make the food. Part of what you pay for is entertainment, and clearly the chef was pissed that he had to serve us. He barely did any «tricks», and any that were done showed very little effort. He never cracked a smile, not even once. While our waitress was nice, the service was painfully slow. We didn’t even receive our rice until we ate a good 80−90% of our food already.
Would I return… only if I didn’t get that moody chef again! But that’s not a guarantee…

I love the noodles from this place. I usually go here as often as I can. I really have no complaints about this place other than the bathrooms need remodeling and there was a foul smell to it. I love the food and would only change the pricing. They’re so expensive

I love the food but the customer service and environment are absolutely horrible
my grandfather was the architect for the building and knows the owners and they’re still rude!
After my family and I going there a few times when they first opened we quickly realized take-​out is the best option.

If your hungry this is the place to go. They cook in front of you which is a great experience since they put on a show for you. No behind the scenes kitchen they bring the food to you and serve you as its prepared. The amount of food they give is worth the money. The noodles are beyond words you just have to try it for yourself. They top it off with a serving of ice cream at the end to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Haven’t been in a while but always enjoed the ambiance and food! I’m thinking its time to be reunited !!!

Hamada used to be amazing. The food still is incredible. However many aspects of the restaurant have gone downhill. For an expensive restaurant that’s extremely difficult to get a reservation, you expect a high level experience. The floors and table were sticky and gross. We got stuck with a bunch of sloppily dresses thugs. One man wore his hat through dinner and spent the entire time talking to his girl in the phone. Since you never know what kind of people you’re going to get stuck sitting with, it’s not worth it! Go to Benihani!

A standard Hibachi grill without the typical excitement.
We came here with co-​worker friends. Huge quantities of food. The filet mignon was quite good, though I must say that my medium was more well-​done than medium. Not even pink at all.
The ice cream was a nice touch at the end.
Cost was a bit high considering quality of entertainment and food.
The restrooms were in disarray. Tile pulled off the wall, tp piled on the floor. A section of wall was clearly destroyed and replaced with some boards and never painted.
Given what we paid, kind of disappointed.
The 2-​hr conversation with friends after dinner out front was definitely 5*

This is the best hibachi grill ever. it has way more flavor then Benehiana at about the same price point The best idea I can give is order an extra side of the noodles

Food is fantastic. Portions are big.
However, I am used to a hibachi restaurant having much more showmanship. There is pretty much none here. Just a guy cooking good food. Don’t expect any fancy knifework or showmanship. They just concentrate on preparing good food. Make reservations. We waited 90 minutes without reservations. Also, as soon as the chef is done cooking, someone comes out with bags and boxes. They are trying to get you to bag up your food and go so the next table can be set.
So, somethings about the experience work great, but the food is really good

Drove from Utica all the way here only to discover they are closed between 2 – 4:30 :(Yelp hours need to be updated — never the less we stuck around until they opened. The food was great, chef was amazing and waitress was prompt. I would have rated this a 4+ however the hostess was less than amicable and rude upon seating us. We asked to sit in front of chef (which seats were available) and she, Emily, rolled her eyes and walked away, we pretty much sat ourselves and moved our own menus. Our original seats remained empty. Bad first impression just because of one person…

I have been here dozens of time and have yet to have a bad experience. The price point is reasonable for what you get. Few hibachi swill give you noodles and ice cream so this is a major plus. The cooks are fast. The draw back is you should make a reservation if you walk in expect to wait. Overall one of my favorite places to eat. You will spend about $ 30 per person on the low end.

I enjoy hamada, nothing to phone home about. My fiancé and I go fairly often about ²⁄₄ weekends. I always get the sea of Japan and he always gets the chicken and shrimp. I like the noodles alone its the one thing im happy about when we go there.
Unfortunately we always seem to go on loud and ghetto day probably because the only times we have outside of work are weekend days. Every Saturday when we happen to randomly go we always fine some inappropriately, over or underdressed, loud, obnoxious group of people who always come in 3’s or 4’s. We always end up praying that we don’t get put at a table with them too. We have been lucky every time to being seated next to some pleasant family with goofy little kids.
Service is always fine. On days when it is crowded I can tell you for sure it is not worth the wait. Food is always decent and its a great time with the family if you want dinner on a whim and you aren’t super concerned with prices.

The food is ok. I wasn’t wow’d. My step mom is vegan and got the tofu vegetarian hibachi. Strange, they brought the tofu out separately. It was good though.
I got the salmon and others at the table had several other kinds of protein. I thought that the food was too salty and they don’t have a good ventilation system.