Hanamaru Japanese Sushi & Kaiseki Restaurant — Restaurant in South Ogden

Both my neighbor and my manager at work are Japanese. Both of them absolutely loved the old Temari location on 40th Street before they closed up shop. When my wife and I asked what local sushi place they'd prefer, they both answered without hesitation: Hanamaru.

We've eaten here twice so far and both times left us wishing we could do so more often. From the quaint, spartan, yet culturally-relevant atmosphere to their attention to detail on every dish they make to their humble and customer-oriented service, Hanamaru deserves all the accolades they get.

Parking can be tight, especially with winter snow, but it's ample for the size of the building. The dining area has seating for approximately 25 to 30 people, and the sushi bar is a great place for individual diners or couples. Artwork is not over-the-top like some Asian restaurants, and is rather practical, actually. But it fits the decor and style of the place. Bare pine wood, low lighting at night, and well-spaced seating makes for a cozy, authentic experience. I've never been to Japan, but from photos and videos I've seen, the atmosphere (including the size of the space) creates a genuine feel of a Japanese sushi house... for what it's worth.

The two times I've been here, I couldn't resist the Nika Soba bowl. A customer I sat next to during our last visit went so far as saying the reviews of the Soba was the reason he wanted to try Hanamaru in the first place. The broth is full and robust, the meat tender and well-seasoned. The accompanying tempura vegetables are perfectly fried, never overly cooked like at some places.

Their sushi menu is extensive enough for everyone's tastes, but not overwhelming to the point of not knowing what to choose. Everyone should be able to find an item that fits what they're looking for. Every roll I've tried is neatly and tightly wrapped, never in danger of falling apart as you eat it, and the balance of ingredients are well-rounded; each able to be tasted, which I believe is how sushi should be.

The first time we visited, we ended with the mochi ice cream. It was the first time I'd had mochi. It's certainly an interesting item for the American palate, but a refreshing way to end a meal. Try this if you have the time to complete the experience.

If you sit at the bar, you'll be pleasantly surprised to watch the head chef as he prepares the various dishes, including the sushi items. And despite how busy he is, he never shies away from a conversation. Again, humble friendliness is the air here. The wait staff embodies this as well, quick to make sure your drinks are full, tables are cleared and cleaned, and if they can offer anything extra.

Don't let the small space turn you away. Even if there's a wait, it's typically not long, and it's completely worth experiencing the atmosphere and food. Reservations are available, so if waiting isn't your thing, call ahead. Whatever you do, make sure you take some time to visit Hanamaru. It...

The best udon I've ever had! This restaurant is owned by the most humble Japanese older couple. Seating is limited and RESERVATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED! They may take walk-ins but there's only 4 tables so you should just call ahead and reserve a table otherwise you may not get in. They were kind enough to seat me and my sisters but we had a time limit. After they seated us, they declined everyone who walked through because they were booked solid with reservations for the night so I was surprised they seated us, but we took it and we had no regrets! Just as an fyi, scan the QR code on the paper menu for pics and descriptions of the food. The tempura was cooked perfectly and the meat in the beef udon was smoked and tender! I'd love to go back and try their ramen as well (served on Saturdays for lunch). This time, we'll make reservations so we don't stress them out and we could take some more time. I loved the restaurant building architecture, simple but beautiful interior, and even the calming music! It felt like I was back in Japan, especially with the elderly couple cooking and serving food. I'll be sure to be back to pay another visit and eat. My sisters and I loved the whole...

Right now, dine-in is available by reservation only, with pre-ordering and pre-payment over the phone. I called in our reservation Friday night, with all our menu selections for Saturday at 6. Felt a little weird at first, but it totally paid off. When we arrived, our first courses were awaiting us at our table. It turned out to be a treat not to have to look over the menu and make choices as we sat there. It was like our experience was catered just for us. We had edamame and seaweed salad to start, followed shortly by miso soup. (The salad was one of the best we've had, highly recommend!) Roy and his staff were managing carry out orders while at the same time providing us excellent service, and delicious, high-quality presentations, while also maintaining safety standards for distancing. We had hamachi and tuna nigori, caterpillar, red dragon, and spider maki rolls, as well as a special item you see in the attached pic. (I promised secrecy, but those if you in the know will recognize it). All for under $100. The quality and value were matched in favor of the customer, and our experience met or exceeded our expectations in every way, considering current "norms". Can't...