Haru — Restaurant in Reno

Haru – A Warm Blend of American and Japanese Dining in Reno

Haru, meaning “spring” in Japanese, brings a lively seasonal theme into its dining space in Reno. The restaurant is decorated with a large Sakura mural, cherry blossom window stickers, and a striking painting of a Japanese diva, creating an atmosphere that feels warm and welcoming. The interior design continues with wooden chairs and tables in a traditional Japanese style, while staff wear clothing with Japanese elements, adding to the cultural touch.

There’s also a market-style shelf offering Japanese snacks, along with a large refrigerator filled with imported drinks, plus a bar area serving wine and sake—features that make Haru popular with locals looking for something beyond the typical dining experience. The open kitchen setup is another highlight, where guests can watch the chefs at work. The yakitori station, in particular, is engaging, letting diners see the flames and enjoy the visual of the Maillard reaction as the skewers cook.

Haru’s menu focuses on ramen, yakitori, and rice bowls. I ordered the oyakodon, featuring sliced chicken, egg, and onions over rice. It was tasty, enhanced with sesame and a dash of shichimi (Japanese seven-spice). The chicken wings were flavorful and came in a generous portion, while the beef short ribs, served in three pieces LA-style, leaned more toward Korean or American barbecue than traditional Japanese yakitori. While the food overall was enjoyable, I felt the restaurant could expand its sushi offerings to round out the experience for those seeking a more authentic Japanese spread.

Final Thoughts Haru is not a strictly traditional Japanese restaurant, but it’s a warm, creative spot that blends Japanese aesthetics with local dining preferences. With its lively atmosphere, open kitchen, and flavorful dishes, it offers Reno locals and visitors alike a fun and satisfying introduction to...

Appetizers: {1st} Negima Yakitori (chicken breast filettes served between hunks of green onion stocks all seared on a skewer and doused in unagi [eel] sauce) -- these Negima skewers are a 100% must order as they are juicy and flavorful and you get 2 for just 7 dollars 💰 -- I also ordered chicken meatball skewers but they aren't worth mentioning 😕 as they were a little bland {2nd} Shashito Peppers -- peppers are the new edamame, haven't you heard? -- 1 out of 10 are spicy 🥵 -- a little greasy but nicely charred and good flavor

Entree: Gyudon Donburi (thin sliced ribeye in a rice bowl) 🐄 -- this dish surprised me with its richness of flavor: the ribeye is tender and soaked in a tasty sauce that mimics something between brown beef gravy and soy sauce; it is very robust and the rice underneath the ribeye is swimming in it. -- this dense flavor is balanced by the thinly sliced strips of pink ginger on top that adds color and complexity to the dish -- this dish is pictured in my photos

Side Dishes:

{1st} Kimchi 🥬 -- a little dry, and not a lot of flavor -- disappointed, but I'll try again next time {2nd} Shiitake Mushrooms -- pungent, earthy -- almost too strong? not sure what they're soaked in, maybe balsamic? -- only order if you really, really like mushrooms 🍄

Environment: Spacious, lunch-style seating with tables and chairs, nothing fancy but also nice in its simplicity. You can see a lot of what's going on with staff members which keeps the room moving.

I would recommend this place as a great find in an unlikely spot. I hope future visits are...

Haru specializes in ramen and they do it well. I'm the kind of person who likes variety and trying new things... Haru is the only restaurant where I've ordered the exact same thing 5 times in a row. Why mess with perfection? If you can handle spice, GET THEIR BLACK GARLIC RAMEN. It's incredibly flavorful, filled with aroma oil and creamy tonkotsu broth. Service has always been polite to us. They have a row of fridges filled with fun asian popsicles/mochi icecream, and drinks from brands like Ito En.

BEST TAKOYAKI IN TOWN! I REPEAT, BEST TAKOYAKI IN TOWN! It's crispy yet soft yet chewy, with all of the correct condiments.

Something else cool: they're one of those places with an open kitchen. You can easily see the cooks grilling your yakitori, and pulling baskets of piping hot noodles from the water. Oh. And it generally gets to your table fast. I don't think I've waited more than 10mins past ordering before a steaming hot bowl of delicious ramen was put in front of me.

Their ajitama could be a little better UPDATE THEY NOW MAKE GOOD AJITAMA TOO!!!**but honestly their tonkotsu broth is so good I don't care. I wish I could save the soup! Whenever I have any broth left over I take it home and try to stretch it out by adding more noodles.

They also have a small but tasty assortment of cute cocktails including a seasonal special, and an assortment of Japanese whiskeys, and soju....