Tokyo Stop - Tempe, Arizona

Antonia H.

This place was such a treasure to find. Intimate seating area. I really like when you can tell a place has been here for a while. We got the lunch box g, chili chicken with crab puffs and egg roll that comes with a drink, and the teriyaki chicken and beef plate. The chili chicken was so good and flavorful, I had no need to add any sauces at all, the teriyaki plate was more savory than sweet, but not bad at all, so good! . It came out to $27, so if you’re thinking about going to Panda Express, I’d recommend you come here first. The portion size is simple to choose from and gives you a bang for your buck.

Edit: I forgot to add, but someone came in and asked for “the usual” and I was NOT trying to eavesdrop but the cashier said it loud enough that I heard it. If I wanted to know more about this place, I think that gave me an even better view of this place.

Mike B.

This place was absolutely amazing. I was looking for a quick protein packed lunch one day and had a hankering for some teriyaki. This place was 5 minutes from my work and I can't believe I had never been before! I ordered a large spicy teriyaki chicken, and it was so flavorful. The chicken is perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of sauce, plenty of rice, and veggies to go along with it. And the place was busy - but they got the food out fast! It's always a great sign! Will definitely be going back!

Adam B.

I used to work down the street & I would come here for lunch. Now when I'm in the area around lunch time I try to stop by. The food tastes great. The portion sizes are respectful for the reasonable cost. Customer service is always happy, kind and makes you feel that they want you there. I recommend adding this lunch restaurant into your rotation. I go for the "Lunch Box" combination.

James P. R.

I had a delightful experience at Tokyo Stop, located at 1335 W University Dr #6 in Tempe, AZ, while waiting for my listing appointment at 3:00 PM today. With my stomach growling, I decided to pop in for a quick lunch, and I’m so glad I did!

I ordered the #44, which includes their delicious chicken curry and chicken katsu. The curry was rich and flavorful, embodying the essence of traditional Japanese curry, while the katsu was perfectly crispy and satisfying. Both dishes were a treat for the taste buds! As I’m mindful of my rice intake due to type 2 diabetes, I appreciated the balance in the meal.

This was my first visit to Tokyo Stop, and I was impressed by the cozy atmosphere and friendly service. The restaurant is known for its affordable and tasty Japanese cuisine, featuring a variety of favorites like yakisoba, teriyaki chicken, and miso ramen, all praised for their fantastic flavors. The katsu is particularly popular, known for its crispy texture and generous portions, making it a favorite among locals.

I’m excited to return and explore more of their menu options. I also noticed a charming Japanese pastry shop next door, which I plan to visit to satisfy my sweet tooth.

What a yummy day it has been!

Karen D.

Super friendly service and yummy homemade style meal! Love this small business that’s no-nonsense serving straight up steaming hot teriyaki chicken and rice, side salad and 3 crisp potstickers for a great price. Nothing too salty or greasy. Very busy when we went and all of the tables were full. But there’s fast turnover and we found a place to sit before our food order was ready. Definitely deserves a return visit to try more from the menu!

Ryan

There are a lot of Japanese restaurants in town, but after one meal here, I can’t say this one deserves another stop. I ordered the large chicken Katsu, which happened to be a whole lot of rice and chicken, and that was it. Pretty boring. Other places commonly include a variety of sauces, cabbage, lemon wedges, sesame seeds and seaweeds and hard boiled eggs, etc. But this? A tasteless heaping pile of starch and protein? Man, what a letdown.

Their prices are good, however. And the staff were super friendly. But it feels like the food is dumbed down for white folks. I’m looking for bold authentic flavors, and this fell flat. Very disappointed.

Edit: 3.3.23 came in a second time, ordered the chili yakisoba, and boy oh boy, I was blown away by how AWFUL the chicken was. It was burnt to a crisp, more dry than the Sahara, with a terrible charcoal flavor. Literally the worst chicken I’ve had from any restaurant. I’ve downgraded my review from two stars to one. I’m appalled that this chicken left their kitchen and made its way to my lunch. The rest of the yakisoba was pretty good, but still very much on the dry side, and the flavor was extremely lacking.

I don’t know why, but I’m going to give them a third try. Might be because my two experiences don’t line up with the rest of the reviews. I’ll provide another update on my next experience, but I must admit, my hopes are not high at all.

3/29/23 Update. Tried their chicken teriyaki. Surely they can’t mess that up, right? But no. Once more, the chicken was overcooked, not as bad as last time, but definitely charred and dry, and the rangoons were cold and sad. My 11 and 12 year old daughters make better rangoons at home. And the teriyaki sauce? Tasted like generic store bought sauce. To be fair, it’s the best dish I’ve ordered from Tokyo Stop thus far, but after three honest attempts to get some decent food from this place, I’m giving up.

If you’re an American who loves the idea of eating Japanese food, you might like this place. If you’re looking for anything remotely authentic, get the hell away from here. If you enjoy charcoal on your chicken, you’ll absolutely adore Tokyo Stop. But if you’re my friend, I’m steering you anywhere but here. Literally anywhere but Tokyo Stop. I cannot fathom how they’ve managed to get the star rating they have, but then I stop to consider the intelligence of the average *white* American (you won’t see Japanese folks eating here, ever, FYI), then I’m not surprised at all.

ZERO stars for their food.
FOUR stars for customer service (they’re actually pretty awesome).
Zero plus four is two. And there you have it.

Jon

Enjoyed the lunch here. Super friendly service. A bit of a wait although not that busy. Had the pork katsudon and the beef teriyaki. Both were tasty and large portions. Great location in Tempe. We'd return.

Madison

My dad and I used to come here all the time (no longer live in Arizona) and I can 100% confidently say this is the best restaurant ever (specifically chicken yakisoba and teriyaki chicken) also they have really yummy California rolls. I promise you won’t regret coming here! I miss it all the time! Prices are very fair too! Would give it 6 stars if I could!