Chop Chop Shop in Tampa - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Unique spot in Tampa for Asian food. Hidden gem

We are fortunate to have Chanko in our neighborhood. Its a great take out spot on my way home from work or fun to eat in with friends. I've tried a lot on their menu and it's all been great. Recently I had beef & rice with a spicy sauce and it was maybe one of the best things I've ever eaten. The beef was so tender and flavorful; I couldn't stop eating it...sorry - gone before I thought about getting a photo :-)

Awesome food, service and atmosphere. This is def a hidden gem in Tampa

Good quality and portions, I also appreciate the vegan/ veggie options

The vibes make me feel like I’m in an art house film. The staff members are delightful. The menu is fully customizable. There is nothing more I could want in a restaurant.

awesome food, awesome locations! check it out in store, if ordering pickup make sure to check your order! I ordered two sauces on the side to try them! I only received one, may only be an issue with online ordering. The bangkok is good stuff

First time there and love the food. Quick service

If you don’t know about this gem of a spot you need to try it. The food alone is brilliant and the customer service is top notch, so rare these days. Note: It’s a counter order service with an ipad and you can pick it up to eat there or at home. 10 out of 10

As close to Japanese curry as I’ve ever had. Cool ambiance, and just perfect balance of flavors. Wish I lived in the area…would get this all the time. Def must have for anyone that lives here or is passing through.

Great food, quickly served. Neat little restaurant!

Solid fast casual japanese food. Everything is self-serve an uncomplicated. Very delicious! Highly recommend the chicken karage and beef (so tender!) and okonomiyaki !

What an absolutely incredible find, Seminole Heights never disappoints when it comes to food. The atmosphere of Chanko reminds me of my favorite restaurant, Japanese food with an American diner style. Okonomiyaki has been on my radar for a while and this was the perfect opportunity to try it. The bowl was incredible and so flavorful, I got it with chicken katsu which added some needed texture. I couldn’t get enough of the egg and noodles, I savored every bite, highly recommend. The katsu is so crisp even when doused with sauce. Everything here is self serve, simply order on the touch screens and sit and enjoy the ambiance. I haven’t had anything like this before and it’s such a treasure and I cannot wait to come back and have it again.

Honestly one of the best spots in Florida. Delicious food, vibey decor, and very friendly service. Need one in every city!

They’re lucky to have something like this in Tampa. The only thing older than me was the building itself. I say that because I’m not naturally very fond of electronic menus. But this was the exception of the rule. Great photography, easy menu to add things that you wanted. I had a shrimp as the protein, I’m incredibly critical of fresh seafood in Florida because I’ve lived here all my life. The shrimp is fresh. The texture was perfect . My dish, not only had all different taste blended together, which made it a great experience. I found out later on it was healthy. i’ll definitely be back again. I can see why my friends recommended it.

Best meal I have had in Tampa!!!! Had the Beef rice bowl. The meat was extremely tender and the flavors were dynamite!

As a Fort Lauderdale local; I pray to GOD I find a place that sells this food in broward. Asian Diner vibes very trendy very chill. 10/10

Got the curry with katsu, so good! Hearty and cozy. Service was fast and employees were very friendly. Will be back when im around town.

Fantastic food, probably the closest Japanese curry I've had in America as compared to what I ate in Tokyo

Chanko is still on my mind. The restaurant resembles an old-style diner, and you order your food at touchscreens before seating yourself. This makes the process quick and straightforward. You choose your base and protein, similar to building a bowl. The food was incredibly good, surpassing my expectations. I will definitely return!

Self service ordering, unique trendy atmosphere with delicious food that is made quickly with little waiting… PS. We went back and it was just as good. 🤤

This place did not disappoint. Made a stop just for this on the way back to Pennsylvania. The food quality and ingredients were outstanding. Glad we made the stop.

ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! We came from Orlando because we found Chanko on Instagram and saw the great reviews! Highly recommend! The food was cooked perfectly! Great portions and it was easy to order your food from the tablets. My son loved the Anime themed atmosphere. Overall it was quick and friendly service from the staff.

All self service, food was amazing. Happy we decided to try it. Will definitely be back.

Quick and good. Thanks for the pork belly yall

My fiancé and I always get the spicy shrimp bowl! It’s one of my favorite meals ever

YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY! My friends and I visited this place after a long day at Busch Gardens and it was DELICIOUS!!!!!! The BEST chicken karaage and Japanese katsu chicken curry that I’ve EVER had!!!!! The atmosphere is so cool and it’s like you’re in a little train cart. The food was so good that I learned to make the curry at home. Of course it didn’t taste as good as the restaurant. My friends and I are planning a visit to Tampa JUST to try this restaurant again!!!!

This is the best Japanese restaurant I've ever been too. The food is super high quality. Everything is seasoned perfectly. They have lots of delicious sauces to choose from. They have unique drinks choices. It's the oldest or one of the oldest singers in Tampa and has a booth where Elvis sat.

The double fried karage chicken and lion slaw is amazing

The best place ever for chicken katsu I swear by it. It's small but comfy and a bit retro really love this place. I wish it were closer because I drive an hour every once and awhile from my house just to eat here.

Inside is dope. Small little old school diner with a Japanese interior. Usually go for the pork belly on noodle/rice or the okonomiyaki with pork belly. Service is fast. Tons of sake, but I like the little watermelon soda. You can sit in the same booth that Elvis sat in if you find the plaque.

2024.07. Ordered pork belly Okonomiyaki with Chanko sauce and side of Bangkok sauce and chili oil. It was delicious and I'll order extra pork belly.

Love the place . Clean and the atmosphere was lovely !! I’ll be back for sure !!! Food was delicious and the variety of drinks was nice 👏

My first ever Okonomiyaki was a memorable one. It was a delicious explosion of different textures and flavors in the perfect amounts. All of the food was extremely good, but the pork belly is the way to go. Get the pork belly. Don’t get the fried chicken pre sauced. It’s a cool little spot with chill vibes, order yourself and they call out your name when it’s ready. They focus on the food and it shows.

Quick service. Amazing food. Great music selection. Will definitely come back.

I came here after seeing it on instagram, the food and atmosphere is awesome. The vegetarian okonomiyaki is so delicious and I love that there are multiple vegetarian options.

I had the curry with Katsu chicken. The food is really good, I got a drink too and it was about $20 if you include a tip. I tried some of my friend’s plate and it was also excellent. You order on a monitor ( one or two of the monitors don’t work properly only con) and the seating/ inside is very minimal/ basic. The parking was fine but it was definitely a bit scarce so you may or may not be able to park easily. Overall, solid place with very good food.

They have huge portions. The older people in my group had trouble using their POS system to order, as they don't have counter service. But I think this is smart for cutting food and labor costs. It has a funky atmosphere and options for vegetarians and vegans.

I loved the food! The reason for four stars was the sticky floor. Just one of my pet-peeves. I would definitely come back here again.

Legit Japanese comfort food. Order at the kiosks. Food comes out fast. Seat yourself or take it to go. Classic Hiroshima Okonomiyaki was delish. Pickes and slaw both so good as well.

Amazing place to go for any occasion awesome food that absolutely shocked me, its completely self serve so you go to the screen order your food, pay there, and they will call you when your food is ready which I personally enjoy but it might not be to others taste. The atmosphere is so unique with Japanese music playing in the background with this diner feel to it i absolutely loved it. My only gripe with this restaurant and the reason i'm not giving it 5 stars are the seating my god is the seating the worst, super tight and jampact with as many tables as they could fit which made seating during busy hours a nightmare I literally had to ask the person sitting behind me to leave there seat in order to get out of my own that's how tight it was so if they could fix this issue it would be 5 stars for me no questions asked. Basically what im saying is this is one of the best Japanese restaurants i have been to and if you can get past the horrible seating or eat out its one of my favorite restaurants of all time.

This was my first time here and I ordered the katsu curry w/ vegs and the karaage with chanko sauce & a drink. Service (10/10): The service in this place is great! The staff here are all eager to help and serve you anyway they can which is really great for people coming for the first time. The way you order is on a kiosk and you pay first and you can sit where ever you want. Although it is in a diner it doesn’t run like one, but thats fine. The food is served in disposable containers in order to help clean as opposed to plates and metal utensils. The wait time for food was not long at all so its ideal for dine in or take out whichever you prefer. Katsu Curry w/ Veg (10/10): This was about as good as it gets tbh. The dish comes with rice, eggs, & japanese pickles (which can be swapped out, i took off the pickles) and your choice of protein as well. The w/ veg option adds carrots, potatoes, & onions (cannot modify). I dont eat onions but was unable to take it off as the veg comes mixed together so all veg or no veg. I opted for w/ veg and just took off the onions on my on. I wont knock off any points as this is more of a me problem rather than the restaurant. But all of this together was deliciousness with every bite. Karaage w/ chanko sauce (7.8/10): For those that don’t know Karaage is fried chicken (typically the thigh). I liked the karaage here a lot and the chanko sauce gives it a nice tangy yet slightly sweet taste. I would love to try other sauces to see what I like the best. Overall: I honestly don’t have many complaints. Food is good, customer service good & the price for the amount of food you get isn’t bad at all (you definitely get a good amount of food). If you have a taste for some Japanese food outside or ramen or sushi I highly recommend checking this spot out as I will definitely be returning to try their okonomiyaki as well as other dishes.

WOW. Instagram brought me here and.. yea. 10/10. Very cool concept. Very good food. Will be back

This an a cool hidden gem in Tampa. The atmosphere was pretty cool inside and the food tasted great.

Top tier true Japanese food! In a really fun dinner setting decked out in Japanese decor and music. If you want to try true Japanese food that just freaking rocks! Go here! You can’t really go wrong, just order something and enjoy! So happy to have this place in Tampa!

Okonomiyaki! As authentic as it gets. I spent 3 years in Iwakuni, which is just southwest of Hiroshima. The flavor is spot on! Not Kansi style, but actual layered Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki! The place doesn't have the cooktop tables like Japan, but that's likely an American insurance issue, other than that it's a great experience. Really hard to find good Okonomiyaki but this place is on point. Don't hesitate, make the trip.

Unimpressive ramen noodle type cuisine, clean restaurant, self-service, reasonably priced. You place your order via touchscreen and pick up at the counter. The food was served hot and with good presentation. However, the taste and quality were fair. This restaurant seems to cater to millennials who grew up eating ramen noodles in college, and who now seek a slight upgrade. Although, the texture on some of the dishes were interesting. Most of the flavor that you do taste are salt, pepper, and sugar; with not much flavor coming from the food itself. The restaurant appears to be a refurbished antique diner (Denny's), which has an art deco / Japanese ainme theme. Recommend that you sit at the counter. The booths between the ordering terminals and cashier gets crowded and stuffy. Overall, an unimpressive and disappointing meal.

Incredible food and vibes. Will be back!

Unusual enough to make one smile, caters to a young adult clientele. Red-paneled rail car diner with Japanese hip-hop specializing in okonomiyaki- but Hiroshima chop shop style. Not the chopped and cooked round Kyoto classic, but a pile of fried egg, crepe, bean sprouts, cabbage, shrimp, and stir fried ramen in a plastic pie plate, with the traditional flavor and easily enough for two hungry older adults . (Think Oklahoma taco salad “stack” in Japanese. A solid choice in a dismal 5 square mile fast food desert.

First time and I love it great taste and fresh food

What a gem. Probably the best I've katsu/curry around. I love the vibe of the restaurant. Give them a try! Worth it.

Food was excellent and savory. Self service but polite employees and interesting mix of American diner and Japanese restaurant atmospheres. We will be back here.

Stopped in for a quick bite, they have a smart screens for self ordering.The place itself is cool with anime merch about, and some cozy Japanese city pop music. As for the food, the beef rice bowl was delicious, chili oil great (Best I’ve had in a while).They announce when your food is ready on intercoms so you can’t miss it. Overall I give the place a 9/10.

Everything is done and excellent! The food is amazing. The tunes at the place is super groovy and I love it and the service is super quick! 10 out of 10 stars hands-down.

Chanko offers the savory flavors of Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki (with yakisoba noodles), Japanese Curry, and Katsu in the heart of Florida. This casual dining spot provides a self-service experience with kiosk ordering and a kitschy, Japanese-themed atmosphere. The repurposed diner setting effectively mimics a small Japanese chop-chop shop, adding to the overall charm. Pros: -Variety of Selections: Chanko's menu features a solid variety of Japanese dishes, ensuring there's something for everyone. Diners can customize their entrees by mixing bases, proteins, and other additions to suit their tastes. -Beverage Choices: A good selection of beer, sake, and non-alcoholic beverages complements the dishes. -Flavorful Dishes: The Okonomiyaki, Japanese Curry, and Katsu are particularly flavorful and well-prepared. -Portion Sizes: The portions are generous, providing fair value for money. -Unique Atmosphere: The kitschy, Japanese-themed decor and the repurposed diner setting create a nostalgic dining experience reminiscent of a small Japanese chop chop shop. -Good Parking: The restaurant offers good parking options, which is a plus for the Seminole Heights area. -Background Music: The eclectic, world-spanning background music adds to the unique dining atmosphere. Cons: -Pricey: The restaurant is a bit pricey for a no-table service establishment. (For us, $43: 2 entrees, 2 canned waters, 1 beer and tip). -Heat Issues: As it's housed in a metal building, the heat can be an issue during the Florida summer. The open window kitchen probably contributes to the cooling challenges. -Cleanliness: While the atmosphere is interesting, the place could use a deep cleaning. The water from the soda dispenser tasted funny, and there were flies in the dining area. -Kiosk-Only Ordering: The kiosk-only ordering process could be a turnoff for diners who want or need traditional table service. Overall, Chanko is a good spot for those looking to enjoy authentic Japanese flavors in a casual setting. Just be prepared for the summer heat and a slightly higher bill than expected. Definitions (I had to research these meanings myself!): Okonomiyaki: A savory Japanese pancake made with a variety of ingredients, including cabbage, meat, and seafood, topped with a special sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. Japanese Curry: A thick and mildly spiced curry sauce served over rice, often accompanied by meat or vegetables. Katsu: A Japanese dish consisting of a breaded and deep-fried cutlet, typically pork (tonkatsu) or chicken (chicken katsu), served with a side of rice and sometimes curry.

Food quality was not very good. I ordered the Japanese Curry with Katsu Chicken and it was not that appetizing. Very large portions but no a place I recommend.

Chanko Restaurant offers a delightful dining experience . The cozy atmosphere, attentive service, and high-quality ingredients make it a standout. Diners can enjoy a variety of fresh vegetables, meats, and seafood.

Self Service Kiosk. Smaller menu but all the goods from Japan. Very well selected menu. Very efficient. As soon as you pay at the kiosk, it took about 7 mins for the food to come out. Ordering from Kiosk is normal experience in Japan. Very satisfied! The food was great!

Insanely good spicy Japanese curry with katsu. I love this place and wish it had a spot in St Pete, too. Excellent!

No food runners I watch food stack up.

Really delicious but a bit pricy, interesting fusion in an old diner. Options a bit limited but packed with flavor. Great exotic drink offerings.

Absolutely top notch. Atmosphere is fantastic. Prices are reasonable. Food was outstanding. I have nothing to say beyond "check this place out."

The food, the atmosphere, chefs kiss. Love this place.

Stop reading the reviews and go to the restaurant. BANGIN GOOD

The kids got the rice plates and I got chicken curry. It was all delicious! It was easy to order and the meal came out quickly! Lovely!

The way we love Chanko 😅 it is seriously our favorite meal in Tampa. They never miss, it’s always consistently delicious… the chicken katsu with the spicy Chanko sauce is a knock out. So much flavor. Absolutely delicious!!

What a great hidden gem! The food was excellent, atmosphere was great as well. You order on some touchscreens which was nice. For the price, you get a solid portion, which I think we be at least 2 to 2.5 meals.

Delicious okonomiyaki and karaage chicken! Will definitely go back to try the different types of each dish and the curry. Things to note: ordering is through a kiosk at the counter, cashless only.

Food cooked fast and delivered for you to enjoy. Self service for the most part. Everything tasted amazing. Noodles, rice. The sauces are the secret weapon. Japanese food rarely disappoints. Look like a run down diner but the food is anything but.

Definitely will be back pork belly with Chanko sauce hit the spot

I used to eat here when it was Nicko's Diner (30 or so years ago), but this is the first time I've tried it as Chanko. My son and I tried the rice plates; he had the pork belly, and I had the grilled chicken. We both got it with the Spicy Chanko sauce. Delicious. Large portion of chicken thigh meat (I could only eat half) served with an outstanding Asian slaw with poblano peppers. You order on a screen and pick it up at the counter. Served in plastic to go containers. We also tried 2 different melon sodas, which were both delicious. I will definitely return.

Very flavorful food. Fast service and clean

This place is heckin delicious. Everything is self service and cashless. I got spicy chicken katsu on rice and sheesh that was tasty.

First time there and already planning a return

Small diner vibes. Self-service ordering. Pretty good food, Japanese takeout, but better. Great spot for 1st date conversation. I usually sit inside, or do carry out, but they have outside seating as well

Super rad place. The food is banging. Decor is super cute

We were visiting the zoo, my kid wanted Chinese food, but I didn't.... I found this place on Google and we decided to give it a try.... Good service, fast service and delicious food. She's all about Japan and introducing her to their culture of food. She already asked if we could come here again when we go to the zoo/aquarium.... It's was a 5⭐ review from here as well as me. We will be back. Well back again, this time she talked me into dinner while we visited the aquarium. Just as good as last time..... This time "I"tried the cantaloupe soda, and she the chupa chups (strawberry and cream sparkling soda)....well let's just say, mom didn't get no soda...LoL Cantaloupe for the win. We both tried the yellow "pickles" they are different, but not bad.

If you like Asian cuisine, this is for you. If you don’t like Asian cuisine, then this is for you. If you like spicy, choose their sauces. It’s definitely for you! Stopped by here to grab a bite, and man was the food delicious! There’s a convenient way to order food from a digital kiosk up front, alternatively if it not mistaken you can have someone serve you. (Don’t quote me on this as my group chose the kiosk method) The establishment is absolutely beautiful as well. Classic diner with modern vibes and great food!

Very impressed with this place! Super cool atmosphere and amazing okonomiyaki. The portions are so big that you can make them into separate meals! They also have a wide variety of drinks to choose from. I will definitely be back to try other things on the menu!

So worth the money. Portion was spot on filling! Could not even finish the whole order. The spices, quality of food was so good. I haven’t even gotten the decor of this place, super unique and retro vibe! Affordable for college peeps wanting some Japanese bento rice plates. Going back to the vibes, retro Japanese style on point. Will need to come back for their other food options. It was a self service order and pick up.

Great food. Fast and friendly service. Plus they are open late but not too late. If you live in the Seminole heights area this place is a MUST go!

Great place! My roommate and I had ordered out before but never gone in person, and it was such a great vibe and atmosphere. They ran out of rice but gave everyone who was affected some drinks and were so kind and accommodating. When we got the food it was amazing, fresh and full of flavor. Definitely recommend!

Am on vacation in the Tampa area with the family. Was searching Google for new places to eat and came across this place. The atmosphere and vibe itself was amazing and the design and decorations are superb. Big portions and big big flavour. Would highly recommend anyone and everyone to stop in and see for yourself

The Best, Quick & Easy Post Workout Meal of your Natural Born Life! Tender beef rice plate with egg *chefs kiss*. The portions are hefty and the taste is right down flavor town. I am also a big fan of the Karaage Rice plate too if I am feeling chicken. Chanko’s is my absolute most favorite food joint in Seminole heights. You can’t go wrong with anything you get and the vibes dining in are immaculate. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed. さようなら (sayonara)!

This place is awesome. We heard about it from some locals & it didn't disappoint. You order at a kiosk when you arrive, it's all customizable, & they call your name when it's ready. Don't miss the beef rice plate or the noodles with the spicy Chanko sauce! Also, props to the random '70s Japanese Disco music.

The aesthetic of this restaurant is so cute like I could imagine doing retro photoshoot here and the people that run this place are top tier. They were so friendly and quick and overall just perfect. I originally ordered to go and ended up eating there because of the vibes.

Cool spot, rice bowl was excellent

Epic! Great off the wall eatery. Top notch food, try something new!

Amazing food and such dope vibes! Highly recommend especially if you like spicy food. A kick with every bite but so delicious!

Some of the best Asian food in Tampa.

This was genuinely one of the best restraints I’ve been to in Tampa! Great atmosphere, fantastic food, and even more fantastic portions! Definitely recommend. ALSO CHANKO SAUCE IS PHENOMENAL!

Soooooooo good!!!! First time here and it was amazing.

Self service at restaurant order on a screen on the counter food comes out of the rear fairly quickly and is tasty

Had a great first experience with friends. Food was legit, ordering by kiosk is fine just make sure you know that's what to expect.

I’ve been wanting to try this place out for a while. You go in and there’s only a computer to order from with no one to explain the menu. After trying to get someone’s attention and standing there like an idiot for five minutes I walked out. Horrible business model

Love. Love. Love!!!! AMAZING fresh food, great quality and service. Try all the sides, meats and sauces, great new take with large portions, gourmet homestyle style with a big twist. Keep coming back for more, with new menu items same great quality and flavors!!!

Atmosphere was warm and Cozy, Service was great, food was awesome. Great place will be back!!!

Delicious food, big portions, and very reasonably priced. This spot is my new go-to

The food, atmosphere, and their ordering system was a very unique experience. However, Sho Chiku Bai is typically served best at room temperature or warm. Maybe take it off the menu if it can't even be served the traditional way. Just some food for thought. Overall though, it was a truly tasty and trendy experience. 10/10 would recommend🙌

Easy to order,very clean,a lot of specialty Japanese drinks, awesome figures especially the metal Mario! Employees are very polite and they are faaaast! Even though it was really busy with takeout/dd They still got the orders out on a timely manner…. Last, but not least the food is top-notch.!

One of the best Tampa places I’ve tried in a while. Super fast service and large portions. The house sauce is the best sauce I’ve ever had. The Japanese pickles are amazing. I also love the vibes of the place and the robotic music.